49ERS / PANTHERS
The 49ers defense is for real and enters this game undefeated off a win
in a downpour in DC. Panthers off a bye traveling to the West Coast.
Two top 5 defenses here points to an under at 42.
SF’s defense ranks #2 in defensive efficiency, #2 in pass
defense efficiency, #1 in pass yards allowed/gm (133.5), #8
in rush yards allowed/gm, #3 in 3rd down defense (30%), #2 in
RZ defense (23%). They have the top pass rush in the league
with 20 sacks and the #10 DL in run stopping.
Panthers similarly have the #4 ranked unit in defensive
efficiency, #3 in pass defense efficiency and #7 in pass yards
allowed/gm (225 yards/gm).
Panthers have a good defense, but there are holes that SF’s
strengths should exploit. SF ranks #2 in rush yards/gm behind an
OL that ranks #3 in rush blocking, gaining 173 yards/gm on
average. They will face the Panthers defense which ranks #30 in
rush defense efficiency and #23 in rush yards allowed/gm at 119
yards.
49ers are committed to run but the 49ers were averaging 200
yards per game going into Week 6. In Weeks 6 and 7, they’ve run
the ball 80 times for 236 yards. That’s fewer than 3.0 yards per
carry for a team posting 4.4 per carry on the season. Injuries at the RT, LT and FB (Kyle Juszczyk)
49ers rank #2 in the league in TOP and lead the league in TOP at
home.
49ers DL ranks #10 in stopping the run and #8 in rush yards
allowed, while the Panthers OL ranks #23 in run blocking.
49ers defense should be able to stall Carolina drives – they rank #3
in 3rd down defensive efficiency (30%) and will face Panthers’ 3rd
down offense which ranks #23 in league at 34.2%.
Like UNDER here considering defenses, 49ers slowing down missing
Staley and McGlinchey questionable this week. Lean to the points,
need to stay on this one

Pat has a background as a financial analyst and studies a number of analytical angles every week in the NFL. He’llÂ] post his previews and notes every week on here and you can follow him on Twitter @PHigg_Sports