49ers vs. Browns: Random Stats

I hadn't thought about it before, but "Random Stats" reminds me of the Austin Powers villain Random Task. It's all the more bizarre as he recently was sentenced to life in prison and reportedly killed is cellmate. Crazy stuff!

The 49ers welcome the Cleveland Browns to town this Sunday and we're back with a round of random stats for your digestion and amusement. The 49ers have actually lost their last three games to the Cleveland Browns dating back to 1993. The Browns won their last meeting in 2007 by a score of 20-7. The series has bounced back and forth a bit with the 49ers winning three straight prior to the current Browns streak, and the Browns claiming three straight of their own before that. The Browns lead the all-time series 11-6. Time to snap a streak!

Speaking of statistics, Football Outsiders released their latest team efficiency ratings following week seven. The 49ers dropped a bit from No. 2 to No. 3 as the New York Jets passed them. The Jets actually have a similar profile to the 49ers based on their offense, defense and special teams ratings. On offense, the 49ers 17th and the Jets rank 19th. On defense, the 49ers rank fourth and the Jets rank second. On special teams, the 49ers rank first and the Jets rank second.

Is there much to be made of that? If you look at basic counting stats, the 49ers and Jets are also quite similar. At the same time, the Jets bring a bit more of an extreme to the offensive and defensive rankings. In terms of offensive efficiency, the 49ers rank 11th in passing and 13th in rushing while the Jets rank 13th in passing and 21st in rushing. In terms of defensive efficiency, the 49ers rank second in rush efficiency and seventh in pass efficiency, while the Jets rank second in pass efficiency and 18th in rush efficiency.

I realize the 49ers only chance of playing the Jets would be in the Super Bowl, but I still thought it was interesting to consider. Do you see similarities between the 49ers and Rex Ryan's Jets?

Don't forget to vote for the 49ers in the Pro Bowl ballot. You don't have to vote for every position and don't have to vote for the max at each position. So, vote early, vote often.

Notable Numbers

• The 49ers rank 1st in the NFL averaging 193.3 rushing yards/game in the month of October.
• RB Frank Gore needs 110 rushing yards to move past RB Roger Craig (7,064 career rushing yards) into second place in franchise history for the most rushing yards
• The 49ers defense has held opposing QBs to a QB rating of 77.7, ranking 5th in the NFL.
• The 49ers defense ranks 1st in the NFL with 49 passes defensed.
• The 49ers defense has not allowed a 100-yd. rusher in 28 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the NFL.
• LB Aldon Smith has registered 5.5 sacks in October, ranking t-2nd in the NFL during the month. Smith also ranks 2nd among all rookies this year (Den. LB Von Miller - 6.0 sacks).
• The 49ers are the only team in the NFL not to allow a rushing TD this season.
• The 49ers are the only team in the NFL not to allow a rushing TD this season.
• The 49ers have started 15 drives in opponents territory, ranking 1st in the NFL, and have scored 50 points on those drives, ranking 3rd in the NFL.
• The 49ers have only committed 6 turnovers on the year, ranking t-2nd in the NFL for fewest turnovers.
• The 49ers average starting field position is at the 31.8, ranking 2nd in the NFL.
• The 49ers rank 1st in the NFL with 7 PRs of 20+ yds. The Niners also rank 1st in the NFL with a KOR avg. of 30.9 yds.
• The 49ers have allowed just 8 first downs on 3rd-n-less than 4 yds. (8 of 20 - 40 pct.), ranking 1st in the NFL.
• The 49ers defense has allowed opponents to score on just 26.3 pct. of their possessions, ranking 2nd in the NFL.
• The 49ers have allowed just 97 points on the season, ranking 2nd in the NFL for the fewest points allowed.
• The 49ers have outscored their opponents 167-97. The +70 scoring differential ranks 4th in the NFL.
• As of 10/20, the 49ers defense has held opposing QBs to a QB rating of 68.3 when blitzing, ranking 4th in the NFL.
• The 49ers defense has held opposing QBs to a QB rating of 77.7, ranking 5th in the NFL.
• QB Alex Smith has a QB rating of 112.9 on 1st down, ranking 4th in the NFL (min. 25 atts.).
• As of 10/20, Smith has registered a QB rating of 128.9 against the blitz this season, ranking 2nd in the NFL (GB QB Aaron Rodgers - 133.3) (min. 25 atts.).
• RB Frank Gore has registered 15 rushes of 10+ yds., ranking t-7th in the NFL this season.
• Gore is 4 of 4 on 3rd-n-1 this season, ranking t-2nd in the NFL for the most 3rd-n-1 rushing conversions.
• Gore ranks t-3rd in the NFL with 3, 100-yd. games this season.
• TE Vernon Davis and TE Delanie Walker account for 34.0 pct. of QB Alex Smith's completions, ranking 2nd in the NFL for highest pct. of completions to tight ends (min. 100 total atts.).

2011 Statistics