NFL Matchup on ESPN posted an interesting statistic on Twitter. It turns out the San Francisco 49ers offensive line is pretty darn good at run blocking — in case that wasn't already clear.
The 49ers running backs rank second only to the Carolina Panthers in rushing yards before the first contact by defenders. That means the offensive line is doing pretty well with the initial push on run plays.
The 49ers running backs are also gaining the most yards per attempt (4.9) before the first contact. Looking at the rest of the division, the Los Angeles Rams ranked fifth in total yards before the initial contact while the Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals are among the worst in the league.
Can your team effectively RUN THE BALL?
These teams O-Lines are blocking up the run game & getting their RBs to the second level untouched the best (and worst) in the #NFL!#KeepPounding #GoNiners #FightForEachOther #DallasCowboys #LARams #BroncosCountry #GiantsPride #Seahawks pic.twitter.com/urorcU2T4a
— NFL Matchup on ESPN (@NFLMatchup) September 25, 2018
As a whole, the 49ers offense also ranks second in the league (Panthers at No. 1) in rushing with an average of 152.7 yards per game. Second-year player Matt Breida is tied with Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott as the NFL's leading rusher. Each has gained 274 yards this season.
Breida's 8.6 yards per attempt is the best among running backs with 10-or-more carries. He already has nine attempts on which he gained 10-or-more yards, according to Pro Football Focus. Only Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey has more (10).
49ers running back Alfred Morris, who joined the team in August, has gained 153 yards on the ground this season.
