Last week: 6 (-1)
Record: 4-2
Last year, the San Francisco 49ers had a turnover differential of +28, 4th highest in NFL history. I said all offseason that would be unsustainable, mentioning that since 2002, teams with a turnover differential of +15 or more, on average, have a turnover differential of +2.1. 6 games into the NFL season and the 49ers’ turnover differential is…+2. Now, you’re probably thinking, didn’t you say that would lead to the 49ers missing the playoffs…yeah…well…stop talking.
It could still conceivably happen in a tougher NFC West to a team that has yet to beat a team with a winning record, but I didn’t predict that they would become the league’s best team in terms of yards per play differential and 4th in rate of sustained drives differential. That’s offset the decrease in turnover differential somewhat, although they won’t win 13 games again. I also don’t think they’re legitimate Super Bowl contenders, which is why I’ve consistently ranked them out of the top-5.
Studs
CB Carlos Rogers: Allowed 4 catches for 31 yards and a touchdown on 9 attempts, 2 pass deflections, 3 solo tackles, 1 stop, 1 quarterback hurry on 1 blitz
MLB Patrick Willis: Allowed 1 catch for 4 yards on 3 attempts, 8 solo tackle, 1 assist, 6 stops, 2 quarterback hurries on 4 blitzes
RE Justin Smith: 3 quarterback hurries on 28 pass rush snaps, 6 solo tackles, 2 assists, 5 stops
LOLB: Ahmad Brooks: 1 quarterback hit and 3 quarterback hurries on 20 pass rush snaps, 2 solo tackles, 2 stops
Duds
QB Alex Smith: 19 of 30 for 200 yards and 3 interceptions, 2 throw aways, 2 batted passes, 1 drop, 67.3 adjusted QB rating, pressured on 16 of 36 drop backs (4 sacks, 1 scramble, 6 of 11, 2 interceptions, 2 throw aways)
RT Anthony Davis: Allowed 3 sacks, 1 quarterback hit, and 6 quarterback hurries on 45 pass block snaps, run blocked for 0 yards on 1 attempt
C Jonathan Goodwin: Allowed 4 quarterback hurries on 45 pass block snaps, 1 penalty, run blocked for 11 yards on 5 attempts
ROLB Aldon Smith: 1 quarterback hurry on 24 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle, 1 stop
NT Isaac Sopoaga: Did not record a pressure on 12 pass rush snaps, 1 solo tackle
[switch_ad_hub]
[switch_ad_hub]
[switch_ad_hub]
Football Fan Spot 