dam1953

This time of year there’s tons of garbage on the net about strength of schedule. The 49er fans continuously howl about how the Saint’s offensive numbers are only because they didn’t really play anybody. After a little research I think the following puts things in perspective.

The 49ers great defense has:
-Played one game against a team that finished in the top 10 in NFL rushing yardage. Their record was 0-1. Point differential minus-10.
-Played four games against teams that finished in the top 10 in NFL passing yardage. Their record was 3-1. Point differential plus – 11.
-The 49ers combined record against quality offenses as defined by being in the top ten in passing and/or rushing was 3-2 with a combined point differential of plus-1.

Our Saints have, by comparison:
Played four games against teams that finished in the top 10 in NFL rushing yardage. Our record was 4-0. Point differential plus-77.
Played six games against teams that finished in the top 10 in NFL passing yardage.
Our record was 5-1. Point differential plus – 80.
Combined record against quality offenses 9-1. Combined point differential plus-157.

Only two NFL teams ranked in the top 10 in rushing and passing, the Saints and Eagles.

So, it looks like the teams that couldn’t run against the 49ers couldn’t really run against anyone. I’m not trying to take anything away from the 49ers but maybe their defensive statistics should have asterisks behind them.