SANTA CLARA -- The 49ers’ defense is elite. We already know that.
But what gives the 49ers even more reasons for optimism is that the team’s offense could be closing the gap down the stretch of the regular season and into the playoffs.
As discussed on The 49ers Insider Podcast, the pieces of coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense could be all coming together at the right time for a team with a 10-1 record, tops in the NFC:
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--Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is playing at a high level.
--Tight end George Kittle, and wide receivers Emmanuel Sanders and Deebo Samuel were limited in practice throughout the week, but each played Sunday night in the blowout victory over Green Bay. And each should be getting healthier in the coming weeks.
--Running back Matt Breida (ankle) and left tackle Joe Staley (finger) could be back on the field soon.
--Right tackle Mike McGlinchey appears to be back playing at a high level after missing significant time with a knee injury.
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“George Kittle is one of the best players in the NFL,” McGlinchey said. “Emmanuel Sanders, huge. Deebo Samuel is emerging as an elite threat for us. The people they are and the way they work, and having Jimmy being able to get them the ball, on top of the running backs we have, it’s really hard to imagine that we’re not going to keep continuing to get better.”
As it is, the 49ers own the No. 6-ranked offense in the league in yards per game. They are No. 2 -- behind only the Baltimore Ravens’ 35.1 -- in points per game at 30.2. The 49ers are third in third-down efficiency at 46.6 percent, which reflects well on Garoppolo.
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Garoppolo’s 100.6 passer rating is on pace to be the best mark for a 49ers quarterback who started 10 or more games since Steve Young’s 101.1 in 1998.
“He’s one of the best quarterbacks in football,” McGlinchey said. “And he’s got one of the best play-callers calling the plays. So when you have those two things working together, we’re going to be very, very fortunate on the offensive side of the football.”