It’s too soon to conclude that the 49ers are Super Bowl contenders, but it looks as though the Niners are making a move toward the playoffs.
After seven weeks of football, only two teams have yet to lose: the Patriots and the 49ers. New England, we know. San Francisco, we don’t. The 49ers 6-0 start took just about everybody by surprise.
How are they doing it?
One reason is the schedule…a relatively easy schedule, I might add. Opponents have a combined record of 11-28. Defeating the Redskins (1-6), Steelers (2-4), Bengals (0-7), and Bucs (2-4) isn’t great shakes. The Rams (4-3) have a winning slate, but LAR isn’t playing like the defending NFC champs.
New uniform fits Sherman well (photo, LA Times)
Another reason is a strong defense. Let’s revise the word ‘strong’ to ‘nothing short of outstanding.’ Led by DeForrest Buckner and veteran Richard Sherman, the defense has been stifling. The 49ers lead the league in total defense (223.5) and defending the pass (133.5). On the other hand, the offense hasn’t been prolific, but it has been good enough to get the job done.
Finally, there’s coaching. Head coach Kyle Shanahan has done a remarkable job adjusting his style of coaching to match team strengths. Much like division rival Sean McVay, Shanahan is a young coach with strategic ability on the offensive side of the ball. This year, Shanahan is also proving he can coach defense. Credit defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, as well.
Shanahan knows his stuff (photo, Head Coaching Ranking)
It’s too soon to say conclusively that the 49ers are Super Bowl contenders–at least not yet–but it looks as though the Niners have a strong case to make about being in the playoffs. But for that to happen, San Francisco will have to get through a tough, upcoming stretch of six games.
Next Sunday, McCaffrey and the Panthers suit up. The following Thursday, Kyler Murry and his Cardinals are on the other side of the field. Then, in order, come the Seahawks, Cardinals (again), Packers, and Ravens. Those teams have a combined record of 23-10-1, which is a helluva difference from the 11-28 performance of the teams San Franciso has played thus far.
It means schedule strength won’t be in their favor. So can the 49ers’ defense, coaching, and Jimmy’s skills hold sway? If they do, then these ‘Niners will become the NFL’s surprise team of 2019 … and it may be time to think about getting those playoff tickets.
