The San Francisco 49ers are 4-0, and while an undefeated start is nothing new for this franchise, the underlying numbers suggest this one deserves considerably more attention.
Through four games, the 49ers have posted a 54.8 percent DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average), according to ESPN's Aaron Schatz. That's the 11th-best mark for any team since 1977, and only 10 teams have been more dominant through the first four weeks of a season.
That puts San Francisco alongside some historically great teams, including the 2007 New England Patriots, who went 16-0, the 1991 Washington team that won the Super Bowl, the 1999 Los Angeles Rams, the 1997 Denver Broncos and the 1996 Green Bay Packers. The 2019 49ers also make the list with a 55.9 percent
DVOA through four games before eventually reaching the Super Bowl.
And there's an even more compelling reason to believe this year's team could be different from a typical fast starter: the passing game is historically good.
San Francisco's passing offense has produced an 89.4 percent DVOA, the third-best mark through four games since 1977, per ESPN. Only the 1999 Washington team (100.1 percent) and 1998 Broncos (98.2 percent) were better.
That's some pretty remarkable company. Those Broncos had John Elway. Washington had Brad Johnson and his 4,005 passing yards. The 49ers have Brock Purdy, who is an MVP candidate already in his own right.
The young 49ers quarterback has been nearly flawless through four games, with a 69.9 percent completion rate for 1,007 yards, 11 touchdowns and one interception. He also hasn't been sacked.
The production isn't coming from one isolated performance, either. Purdy threw for 205 yards and three touchdowns against the Rams, 287 yards and two touchdowns against Miami, 297 yards and four touchdowns against Arizona, then added 218 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's 24-14 win over Denver.
There are obvious reasons for caution. A 4-0 start doesn't guarantee a championship. But history provides some encouraging context: Of the previous 20 teams with the best DVOA through four games since 1977, nine ultimately won the Super Bowl. Only three failed to make it past the divisional round.
The 49ers don't need to match any of those teams to have a successful season. But if their first four games are an indication of what's coming, San Francisco isn't simply off to a good start.
The one thing that could derail the 49ers, or any team for that matter, is injuries. San Francisco has endured a ton already this season on both sides of the ball. While backups have stepped up and depth hasn't been a huge issue, the bottom could fall out eventually if key players continue to miss time.
For now, though, the 49ers are on a historic pace that bodes well for their 2026 campaign.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers' hot start ranks among the NFL's best since 1977
