Well, Footballoutsiders.com is now eating crow, citing the 49ers' 'unexpected lack of decline'. We basically need to improve pass-blocking, that's it.

Through 4 weeks, we are now 2nd in total team efficiency (DVOA) at FootballOutsiders.com, #1 in non-strength of schedule adjusted team efficiency (VOA). 5th in Offense, 4th on Defense, 21st on Special Teams. Defense - 7th vs. the Pass, 2nd vs the run. Offense - 16th in passing, 1st in rushing...nobody's really close in rushing. Special Teams - 3rd in starting field position (close to #1 - not a lot of separation), 8th in opponent starting field position.

More:

- #1 in Run-blocking, but 31st in pass protection. extremely well-balanced in the run game (between guards, off tackle, etc.)

- 8th in D-line Pass Rush

- Running Backs: Gore is the 4th best running back overall. * Kendall Hunter is even better on a per play basis (Ray Rice-level numbers). Kendall Hunter has more DYAR (Defense-adjusted Yards Above Replacement) than Jamaal Charles! ** It may be time to up his carries.

- WRs: Manningham 34th, Crabtree 55th, Moss would be 29th if he had more opportunities. KW is under-performing.

- TEs: Davis 6th, Walker 38th. Walker produces 70% less than the average receiver in his situation, and has the lowest catch % of any qualifying TE in the NFL.

-QB Alex Smith: 14th, better than Aaron Rodgers (!) and worse than Carson Palmer. 8th in "QBR", which is great. *** something to note is that Alex is doing pretty good for the poor pass protection we've gotten so far...I don't know how many are 'on him'. Smith is the 11th best rushing QB, while Kaepernick is #1 by a mile on a per rush basis.

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/dvoa-ratings/2012/week-4-dvoa-ratings