The San Francisco 49ers can enter the record books on Saturday against the Washington Commanders. The last time the team allowed an opponent to rush for over 70 yards was in Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs. Since then, the 49ers have reeled off seven consecutive wins while playing some dominant defense, allowing just under 59 yards per game.
According to the NFL, San Francisco is the second team in NFL history to allow 70 or fewer rushing yards in seven consecutive games, with the other being the 2000 Baltimore Ravens. That is some nice company with which to be included.
However, no team has allowed 70 or fewer rushing yards in eight consecutive games. On Saturday, the 49ers can become the first team to do so with a strong defensive showing against the Commanders.
Per the NFL: The @49ers are the 2nd team in NFL history to allow 70-or-fewer rushing yards in 7 consecutive games (2000 Ravens), and can become the 1st to do so in 8 straight games.#FTTB | #WASvsSF | #49ers pic.twitter.com/W9z09MLna7
— 49ers Webzone (@49erswebzone) December 22, 2022
The 49ers defense ranks No. 1 in total yards allowed, rushing yards allowed, and points allowed. The Commanders own the No. 11 ranked rushing attack, one spot behind the 49ers' run game. Brian Robinson Jr. leads the team with 652 rushing yards, while Antonio Gibson has added 536 rushing yards.
"Washington, they've done a really good job of running the football, controlling the game," 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans said this week. "They're first in time of possession. They do a good job of just trying to stay on schedule that way, of protecting the football, running the football really well with two really good backs, a good offensive line, so it'll be a really good matchup for us. And when it comes to the run game, probably the best run game we've seen since Atlanta, so it'll be a really good matchup for us."