The 49ers Are Historically Dominant At Preventing Passing Yards

by Chase Stuart on November 27, 2019

There have been 13 games this season where a team has allowed 100 or fewer passing yards. The San Francisco 49ers have caused 5 of those games.

Through 11 games, San Francisco has allowed just 1,506 passing yards. That’s the fewest by any team through 11 games since the 1989 Minnesota Vikings, and it’s the second lowest amount for any team after 11 games since 1980.

This year, the average team is gaining 235 passing yards per game, which is of course net of sack yards lost. The 49ers are allowing just 137 passing yards per game to opponents, for well, a variety of reasons:

The 49ers have caused opponents to lose 348 yards due to sacks this year, the most in the NFL.
The 49ers are allowing just 9.4 yards per completion, the lowest rate in the NFL.
The 49ers have sacked opponents on 11.8% of dropbacks, the best rate in the NFL.
The 49ers are allowing a 60.0% completion percentage, tied for the 2nd-best rate in the NFL. That’s why San Francisco is allowing just 4.0 net yards per pass attempt, the lowest in the NFL.
Despite the 49ers usually playing with a lead, opponents appear afraid of throwing on San Francisco, probably because it is so hopeless.
And yes, they’ve had some help: a driving rainstorm in a game against Washington, and a run defense that is actually quite porous. Teams have actually been more efficient running against San Francisco than throwing against that defense.

So how good is this pass defense through 11 games once you account for era — at least, in terms of preventing passing yards? Well, maybe the best ever? San Francisco is allowing 98.5 fewer passing yards per game than league average through 11 games, which is the best performance by any pass defense since 1950. The table below shows the top 100 pass defenses by this metric:

Rk	Team	Year	Yards	G	Pass Yd/G	Lg Avg	Diff
1	SFO	2019	1506	11	136.9	235.4	-98.5
2	GNB	1967	1026	11	93.3	183.6	-90.3
3	MIN	1989	1322	11	120.2	210.1	-89.9
4	MIA	1982	1355	11	123.2	203.6	-80.5
5	MIN	1969	1116	11	101.5	179.4	-77.9
6	NWE	2019	1738	11	158.0	235.4	-77.4
7	GNB	1962	1290	11	117.3	188.5	-71.2
8	PIT	2012	1823	11	165.7	236.6	-70.8
9	HOU	2013	1890	11	171.8	239.1	-67.3
10	PIT	2007	1673	11	152.1	216.8	-64.8
11	OAK	1966	1403	11	127.5	190.3	-62.8
12	KAN	1989	1621	11	147.4	210.1	-62.8
13	BUF	1960	1489	11	135.4	196.6	-61.3
14	CLE	1954	1425	11	129.5	190.7	-61.2
15	TAM	2002	1721	11	156.5	217.1	-60.6
16	DET	1962	1409	11	128.1	188.5	-60.4
17	GNB	1968	1243	11	113.0	172.3	-59.3
18	BUF	1982	1300	9	144.4	203.6	-59.2
19	BAL	1961	1287	11	117.0	176.1	-59.1
20	CLE	1957	1018	11	92.5	151.4	-58.9
21	SEA	2013	1984	11	180.4	239.1	-58.7
22	PHI	1954	1452	11	132.0	190.7	-58.7
23	JAX	2017	1856	11	168.7	227.4	-58.7
24	MIA	2004	1675	11	152.3	210.3	-58.0
25	SFO	1977	897	11	81.5	139.3	-57.8
26	DEN	1981	1683	11	153.0	210.1	-57.1
27	MIN	1970	1149	11	104.5	161.3	-56.8
28	PHI	1991	1597	11	145.2	201.6	-56.4
29	CLE	2011	1922	11	174.7	230.6	-55.8
30	GNB	1965	1413	11	128.5	184.2	-55.7
31	NOR	1984	1673	11	152.1	207.6	-55.5
32	SEA	1982	1333	9	148.1	203.6	-55.5
33	IND	2007	1781	11	161.9	216.8	-54.9
34	CLE	1988	1625	11	147.7	202.6	-54.9
35	CHI	1963	1449	11	131.7	186.6	-54.9
36	WAS	1980	1598	11	145.3	200.1	-54.8
37	HOU	2011	1934	11	175.8	230.6	-54.7
38	DET	1967	1423	11	129.4	183.6	-54.3
39	BUF	2018	2131	11	193.7	247.8	-54.1
40	OAK	1963	1615	11	146.8	200.9	-54.1
41	DEN	2016	2133	11	193.9	247.3	-53.4
42	ARI	2016	2146	11	195.1	247.3	-52.3
43	CLE	1956	1072	11	97.5	149.6	-52.2
44	ATL	1977	959	11	87.2	139.3	-52.1
45	RAI	1984	1711	11	155.5	207.6	-52.1
46	RAI	1993	1606	11	146.0	198.1	-52.1
47	HOU	1968	1349	11	122.6	174.5	-51.8
48	DAL	1986	1657	11	150.6	201.8	-51.2
49	BUF	2019	2027	11	184.3	235.4	-51.2
50	DEN	2015	2168	11	197.1	248.0	-50.9
51	MIN	1967	1461	11	132.8	183.6	-50.8
52	PIT	1955	1208	11	109.8	160.0	-50.2
53	NYG	2002	1840	11	167.3	217.1	-49.8
54	DAL	1997	1685	11	153.2	202.8	-49.7
55	CLE	1950	1414	11	128.5	178.1	-49.5
56	OAK	2006	1721	11	156.5	205.8	-49.3
57	SFO	2012	2060	11	187.3	236.6	-49.3
58	PIT	2011	1994	11	181.3	230.6	-49.3
59	WAS	2009	1874	11	170.4	219.4	-49.0
60	PHI	1950	1425	11	129.5	178.1	-48.5
61	MIA	1990	1617	11	147.0	195.4	-48.4
62	IND	2002	1857	11	168.8	217.1	-48.3
63	DAL	2003	1717	11	156.1	204.2	-48.1
64	ATL	1974	1171	11	106.5	154.5	-48.0
65	CHI	1984	1757	11	159.7	207.6	-47.9
66	NYJ	1967	1479	11	134.5	182.0	-47.5
67	CLE	1984	1762	11	160.2	207.6	-47.5
68	JAX	2011	2017	11	183.4	230.6	-47.2
69	CHI	1960	1347	11	122.5	169.5	-47.0
70	GNB	1966	1397	11	127.0	174.0	-47.0
71	GNB	1964	1401	11	127.4	174.0	-46.6
72	TEN	2000	1811	11	164.6	210.6	-45.9
73	CHI	2005	1777	11	161.5	207.4	-45.8
74	PHI	1998	1706	11	155.1	200.9	-45.8
75	MIN	1975	1307	11	118.8	164.4	-45.6
76	BUF	1967	1501	11	136.5	182.0	-45.5
77	RAM	1978	1218	11	110.7	156.1	-45.4
78	PIT	2008	1857	11	168.8	213.7	-44.9
79	MIA	1973	1067	11	97.0	141.9	-44.9
80	DAL	1994	1840	11	167.3	212.2	-44.9
81	KAN	1988	1736	11	157.8	202.6	-44.8
82	MIA	1979	1442	11	131.1	175.9	-44.8
83	MIN	1968	1403	11	127.5	172.3	-44.7
84	DAL	1977	1042	11	94.7	139.3	-44.6
85	BAL	2018	2236	11	203.3	247.8	-44.6
86	PHI	2001	1779	11	161.7	206.1	-44.4
87	CHI	1967	1533	11	139.4	183.6	-44.3
88	TAM	2004	1827	11	166.1	210.3	-44.2
89	NYG	1963	1567	11	142.5	186.6	-44.1
90	NYG	1950	1475	11	134.1	178.1	-44.0
91	NOR	1991	1734	11	157.6	201.6	-44.0
92	GNB	1969	1491	11	135.5	179.4	-43.8
93	NYJ	2009	1933	11	175.7	219.4	-43.7
94	MIN	1988	1749	11	159.0	202.6	-43.6
95	BUF	1980	1724	11	156.7	200.1	-43.4
96	OAK	1975	1334	11	121.3	164.4	-43.1
97	JAX	2016	2247	11	204.3	247.3	-43.1
98	CHI	2006	1792	11	162.9	205.8	-42.9
99	CLE	1962	1604	11	145.8	188.5	-42.7
100	PIT	1999	1782	11	162.0	204.6	-42.6

In terms of passing yards allowed on a per attempt basis, the 49ers are only slightly worse, behind a pair of Vikings and pair of Packers defenses. San Francisco is allowing 4.03 Net Yards per Pass Attempt this season, while the average pass defense is allowing 6.32 NY/A. As a result, the 49ers are allowing 2.29 fewer net yards per attempt than average, which is really, really good. Of course, the same is true for the 2019 Patriots, who are also in the exclusive -2.0 club:

Rk	Team	Year	Yards	G	NY/A	Avg	Diff
1	MIN	1969	1116	11	3.13	5.78	-2.64
2	MIN	1989	1322	11	3.76	6.23	-2.48
3	GNB	1967	1026	11	3.55	5.88	-2.33
4	GNB	1962	1290	11	4.20	6.50	-2.29
5	SFO	2019	1506	11	4.03	6.32	-2.29
6	DET	1962	1409	11	4.40	6.50	-2.09
7	NWE	2019	1738	11	4.28	6.32	-2.04
8	PHI	1954	1452	11	4.13	6.04	-1.91
9	TAM	2002	1721	11	4.12	5.99	-1.87
10	DAL	1977	1042	11	3.21	5.06	-1.86
11	MIN	1970	1149	11	3.71	5.53	-1.82
12	MIA	1982	1355	11	4.16	5.97	-1.81
13	PIT	2008	1857	11	4.42	6.22	-1.80
14	BAL	1961	1287	11	4.32	6.08	-1.76
15	CLE	1957	1018	11	4.39	6.13	-1.74
16	ATL	1977	959	11	3.35	5.06	-1.71
17	PIT	2007	1673	11	4.45	6.14	-1.69
18	CHI	1960	1347	11	4.22	5.90	-1.67
19	PHI	1980	1896	11	4.46	6.13	-1.66
20	SDG	1961	1676	11	3.92	5.58	-1.66
21	OAK	1967	1571	11	3.79	5.44	-1.65
22	PIT	1974	1277	11	3.76	5.40	-1.64
23	MIA	1973	1067	11	3.69	5.32	-1.63
24	GNB	1965	1413	11	4.50	6.12	-1.62
25	OAK	1975	1334	11	3.96	5.56	-1.60
26	JAX	2017	1856	11	4.63	6.22	-1.59
27	OAK	1963	1615	11	4.26	5.85	-1.59
28	KAN	1969	1602	11	4.18	5.77	-1.58
29	NOR	1991	1734	11	4.61	6.19	-1.58
30	MIN	1971	1306	11	3.97	5.54	-1.57
31	CHI	1963	1449	11	4.60	6.17	-1.57
32	RAM	1978	1218	11	3.97	5.53	-1.57
33	BUF	1960	1489	11	4.04	5.60	-1.56
34	SFO	1976	1265	11	3.81	5.37	-1.56
35	OAK	1968	1544	11	4.21	5.72	-1.51
36	HOU	2011	1934	11	4.86	6.33	-1.47
37	NOR	1992	1686	11	4.39	5.86	-1.47
38	CHI	1958	1573	11	4.75	6.22	-1.47
39	BAL	1968	1707	11	4.46	5.93	-1.47
40	NYJ	1967	1479	11	3.98	5.44	-1.46
41	DAL	1986	1657	11	4.40	5.86	-1.46
42	OAK	1966	1403	11	4.20	5.66	-1.46
43	CLE	1956	1072	11	4.64	6.08	-1.44
44	KAN	1970	1497	11	4.11	5.53	-1.41
45	DEN	1981	1683	11	4.70	6.11	-1.41
46	DEN	2016	2133	11	5.04	6.45	-1.41
47	CLE	1951	1540	11	4.50	5.90	-1.40
48	MIA	1972	1294	11	4.39	5.78	-1.39
49	CHI	2005	1777	11	4.63	6.02	-1.39
50	NYG	1963	1567	11	4.78	6.17	-1.39
51	TAM	2000	2053	11	4.53	5.92	-1.39
52	CIN	1972	1311	11	4.40	5.78	-1.38
53	MIA	1990	1617	11	4.58	5.95	-1.37
54	BAL	2018	2236	11	5.26	6.63	-1.37
55	MIN	1975	1307	11	4.19	5.56	-1.37
56	WAS	1991	1945	11	4.83	6.19	-1.36
57	GNB	1966	1397	11	4.20	5.55	-1.35
58	SDG	1980	1810	11	4.78	6.13	-1.35
59	NYG	1959	1411	11	4.80	6.14	-1.34
60	DEN	2015	2168	11	5.15	6.49	-1.34
61	CLE	1962	1604	11	5.16	6.50	-1.34
62	PIT	1975	1465	11	4.22	5.56	-1.34
63	ATL	1973	1236	11	3.99	5.32	-1.33
64	CAR	2015	2462	11	5.16	6.49	-1.33
65	RAI	1984	1711	11	4.67	6.00	-1.33
66	RAM	1951	1373	11	4.58	5.90	-1.32
67	BUF	2019	2027	11	5.00	6.32	-1.31
68	HOU	1968	1349	11	4.41	5.72	-1.31
69	NYG	1950	1475	11	5.02	6.33	-1.31
70	RAM	1968	1531	11	4.64	5.93	-1.29
71	SEA	2013	1984	11	4.96	6.25	-1.29
72	PHI	2000	1853	11	4.64	5.92	-1.27
73	PHI	1953	1609	11	4.16	5.42	-1.27
74	DAL	1994	1840	11	4.68	5.94	-1.26
75	BAL	1958	1753	11	4.97	6.22	-1.26
76	CIN	1976	1390	11	4.11	5.37	-1.26
77	RAM	1975	1490	11	4.31	5.56	-1.25
78	PIT	2011	1994	11	5.09	6.33	-1.25
79	SFO	1997	1764	11	4.48	5.72	-1.25
80	PHI	1991	1597	11	4.94	6.19	-1.24
81	HOU	1961	1817	11	4.34	5.58	-1.24
82	TAM	1979	1560	11	4.52	5.76	-1.24
83	BAL	1971	1330	11	4.30	5.54	-1.24
84	DAL	2003	1717	11	4.67	5.90	-1.24
85	IND	2007	1781	11	4.91	6.14	-1.23
86	TEN	2008	2084	11	4.99	6.22	-1.23
87	CIN	2013	2322	11	5.02	6.25	-1.23
88	OAK	1969	1833	11	4.54	5.77	-1.23
89	SFO	1977	897	11	3.83	5.06	-1.23
90	PIT	2004	1857	11	4.93	6.15	-1.23
91	CHI	2006	1792	11	4.73	5.95	-1.22
92	GNB	1968	1243	11	4.71	5.93	-1.22
93	ATL	1978	1437	11	4.32	5.53	-1.22
94	CHI	1957	1578	11	4.92	6.13	-1.22
95	PHI	2001	1779	11	4.73	5.95	-1.22
96	ATL	1971	1264	11	4.33	5.54	-1.21
97	SFO	2012	2060	11	5.12	6.34	-1.21
98	NYG	1961	1665	11	4.87	6.08	-1.21
99	MIN	2016	2275	11	5.24	6.45	-1.21
100	RAM	1980	1919	11	4.92	6.13	-1.20

So if you’ve been watching this 49ers defense and think they are remarkable at not allowing passing yards… you are correct.

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