The 49ers defense has been torn apart the past two games. After posting a shutout against the Los Angeles Rams in the season opener, San Francisco has given up 83 points combined in losses to the Panthers and Seahawks.
The defense, of course, must improve. On Sunday in Week 3, it couldn’t stop Seattle from running or throwing. Adjustments will have to be made.
But the 49ers offense is doing it no favors, either.
Over the past two weeks, San Francisco’s offensive failures have meant the defensive unit has been on the field far too long.
In the 37-18 loss at Seattle’s CenturyLink Field, the 49ers could convert on just 4-of-15 third-down attempts, meaning there were way too many three-and-out series in which the 49ers’ defense had to scamper back onto the field after just a short rest.
For the season, the 49ers have converted just 16-of-46 third-down plays into first downs. The 49ers’ third-down percentage of 34.8 ranks tied for 22nd in the NFL. But, throw out the 47 percent third-down efficiency in the season-opening win over the Rams (8-of-17) and the 49ers are just 8-of-29 (27.5 percent).
Niners head coach Chip Kelly told the media after Sunday’s game, which dropped San Francisco to 1-2, that third downs "were not good either way." Kelly’s team was 0-for-6 on third-down plays in the first half, when Seattle built a 24-3 lead.
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While the 49ers struggled offensively on third downs, their defense allowed the Seahawks to pick up first downs on 9-of-14 opportunities.
"We knew that playing against a defense like that, that was the key, trying to convert on third down against them," Kelly said. "They’re so good coverage-wise with that group of guys they got. You need to make some plays on third down, and we didn’t make enough plays, especially in the first half."
Part of that was due to quarterback Blaine Gabbert being unable to challenge the Seattle defense downfield. The analytics website Pro Football Focus noted that 17 of Gabbert’s 24 passes traveled less than 10 yards in the air.
The 49ers will host the 2-1 Dallas Cowboys this Sunday at 1:25 p.m.
