The San Francisco 49ers started the year off with a convincing win over the Los Angeles Rams last Thursday and have their sights set on a 2-0 start with a win over the Miami Dolphins at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Week 1 games can set the tone for a season or be a full-on mirage. Deciphering which trends mean something and which can go out the window is an interesting exercise. No matter where you land on the debate, the one thing you always want to be after Week 1 is 1-0.
Here are three final
numbers to consider from Thursday night’s win:
Are the 49ers shifting to more under center formations?
According to SumerSports, under center in the NFL saw a sizable increase from 2025 in Week 1, with a 42% UC rate versus 29.2% in 2025.
The result? A 32.2% dropback rate from under center is a big jump from 14.6% in 2025, and the UC EPA/DB is up to 0.149, up from 0.103 in 2025.
As far as the 49ers go, the offense was under center 57.8% of the time, which is good for 0.20 UC/EPA. Overall, the 49ers’ offensive success rate was 56.2%, rising to 58.3% in late. The 58.3% matches the 49ers’ success rate on dropbacks. The overall offensive EPA sits at 0.17, but the real development could be playing more under center.
The 49ers pressure packages
The 49ers finished without a sack, but the pass rush and blitz packages were felt on Thursday night. With 14 pressures, seven hurries, and seven QB hits, the 49ers got pressure on 37.5% of the Rams’ dropbacks. Nick Bosa returned and was excellent, but the additions of Osa Odighizuwa and Raheem Morris as defensive coordinator paid instant dividends for a pass rush that was non-existent last season.
Predicting a better pass rush wasn’t bold given how poor it was last year, but the sacks will come, and as long as the team continues to disrupt at this level, there will be plenty to go around for the 49ers defensive line.
The 49ers offensive line success continues?
Speaking of no sacks allowed, the 49ers offensive line was great and allowed pressures on 25% of Purdy’s dropbacks. In fact, the Rams generated “quick pressure” on only 5.7% of the 49ers’ dropbacks. A game plan mixed with quick throws helps, but the offensive line was dominant at times and gave the Rams’ defensive line fits.
Here’s to this continuing and finding out whether the Rams’ defensive line was gassed and Myles Garrett was injured, or if the offensive line is taking a stride forward as pass protectors.
