Your answer may say more about your age than anything
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NFL. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in San Francisco 49ers fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
As always, we try to gauge how confident fans are. The 49ers have given fans more than confident this year.
If you’re feeling arrogant about what the Niners have shown, you have every reason to be. Pick a stat, and the 49ers are either at or near the top of the NFL. In a week when we just saw teams struggle on the road, the 49ers erupted for over 40 points against a divisional opponent.
This week’s reacts question asks 49ers fans whether this year’s version of the Niners is the best team that you’ve seen in your lifetime.
DVOA accounts for strength of schedule. What Kyle Shanahan and his team are doing this season rivals any team, even the 2007 New England Patriots:
One more 49ers DVOA stat.
The 49ers now have 52.1% weighted DVOA, which gives more strength to recent games. They are the first team to ever be over 50% as of Week 15. That’s stronger than the 2007 Patriots were in weighted DVOA because they had closer games late in the season.
— Aaron Schatz (@ASchatzNFL) December 18, 2023
The 49ers offense is one percentage point lower than that offense that had Tom Brady and Randy Moss. Dating back to 1988, only two offenses have a higher DVOA than San Francisco.
Even those late 80s or early 90s offenses of the Niners that had multiple Hall of Famers didn’t statistically measure up to the team this year. And with the Ravens, Rams, and Commanders, it’s difficult to imagine Shanahan and company slowing down.
I haven’t seen an offense score like San Francisco. And when you say that, people will quickly highlight that 2007 Patriots team.
The fact that arguably the greatest offense is the only team that has an argument is telling. From a scoring perspective, the 49ers are first in the NFL in numerous categories. San Francisco is No. 1 in points, touchdowns, red zone, success rate, and red zone touchdowns per drive
Their worst games were due to turning the ball over at inopportune times and were without two of their best players. When healthy, the offense has clicked and looked unstoppable.
The 49ers aren’t exactly struggling on the other side of the ball. They’re fourth in defensive DVOA. They haven’t been fully healthy on that side of the ball, either, so the numbers are a bit skewed. But we saw how lethal the pass rush can be post bye, and how the secondary can take advantage of its opportunities.
So, what do you think? Is it too prisoner of the moment to say that this is the most dominant 49ers team of your lifetime?
About the Author: Insidethe49
