Throughout their three-game losing streak, the San Francisco 49ers' defense has struggled significantly. They've allowed an average of 395.3 total yards per game to their opponents during that span. That projects to over 3,162 total yards allowed if expanded through eight games. Only the Denver Broncos have yielded more yards to opponents (3,248) this season.
In contrast, during their initial five-game winning streak, the 49ers' defense allowed an average of only 267 total yards per game. Expanding this over eight games would result in approximately 2,134 yards allowed, ranking as the third-fewest in the league.
The 49ers defense permitted an average of about 273 passing yards through their last three games. Expanding that throughout eight games equates to 2,181 yards, which would rank as the worst in the NFL.
Lastly, the unit has allowed an average of just under 123 rushing yards over the last three games, projecting to 981 yards through eight games, which would rank as the sixth most in the league.
This stark disparity between the performance of the 49ers' defense in their first five games and the subsequent three has raised questions, with much of the criticism directed toward defensive coordinator Steve Wilks. The coach inherited last season's top-ranked defense, with most feeling that this year's unit could be even better after adding defensive tackle Javon Hargrave in free agency.
One particularly frustrating statistic has been the 32 missed tackles by the defense since Week 6, a significant increase compared to the nine missed tackles in their previous three games and 24 in the first five games.
Once considered the strength of a talent-rich 49ers roster, the defense has obviously struggled in recent weeks. In a recent poll, 80 percent of fans expressed the belief that a change in defensive leadership is necessary, with the majority calling for the team to fire Wilks.
Should the #49ers fire Steve Wilks?
— 49ers Webzone (@49erswebzone) October 29, 2023
Following Sunday's 31-17 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, head coach Kyle Shanahan was pressed about his confidence in Wilks.
"This isn't on any one coach or any one side of the ball," Shanahan affirmed. "We haven't scored over 20 points here in three weeks too. So, I think our defense needs to do better. I think our offense needs to do better. I think our team needs to do better. And when I say our team, I mean every single player in there, and I mean every single coach."
Despite the recent struggles, nearly 80 percent of fans have at least some confidence in Shanahan's ability to reverse the team's fortunes.
How much confidence do you have in Kyle Shanahan to turn things around for the #49ers?
— 49ers Webzone (@49erswebzone) October 29, 2023
"When you sit and you watch tape, when it's out there on the field, and I know how these last two weeks, especially, I felt, but I do believe we have the answers in our building," Shanahan said. "I believe we have good players. I believe we have good coaches. It's up to me to get them to do better."
During their bye week, the 49ers aim to address their shortcomings, find ways to minimize mistakes, and hope their work during the break culminates in a Week 10 victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars.