FanPost

Do Passing Yards Matter?

Do passing yards ultimately matter when trying to win it all? We're tied for last through seven games, and depending on who you talk to, it's either a cause for concern or no big deal. So out of curiosity, I pulled up the passing yards rank of all Super Bowl winners since 1980 and here's what I found:

Year Passing Yards Rank of SB Winner
2012 15th
2011 5th
2010 5th
2009 4th
2008 17th
2007 22nd
2006 2nd
2005 24th
2004 11th
2003 9th
2002 15th
2001 22nd
2000 22nd
1999 1st
1998 7th
1997 9th
1996 5th
1995 13th
1994 4th
1993 7th
1992 5th

1991

5th
1990 22nd
1989 2nd
1988 10th
1987 4th
1986 17th
1985 20th
1984 4th
1983 9th
1982 12th
1981 7th
1980 19th

source: http://www.pro-football-reference.com/

The average passing yards rank of an eventual SB winner was 11th, which one could interpret as saying you don't need to be the best passing team, but you do need to have a passing game. As for the 49ers situation, some fans say, "We're getting Crabtree and Manningham back and should be fine down the stretch." Others say, "We don't know what we're getting back with Crabtree and Manningham, so we should trade for another starting WR." And then others say, "Who cares? We'll just power-run our way down the stretch." I guess we'll see what happens.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors.