Niners Nation
Untimely penalties have cost the 49ers offense more than any other team in the NFL
The San Francisco 49ers record says they’re .500, but this is a team that’s outscoring its opponents by 28 points on the season. Advanced metrics have the defense slightly outplaying the offense, but both are top 10 units despite key injuries to some top players on each side of the ball.
But the 49ers have had one area of concern this season: the referees, specifically when the Niners have the ball. The 49ers are among the least penalized teams in the NF on a per-play basis. Unfortunately, most of their offensive penalties are directly correlated to taking points off the scoreboard.
Against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 2, Jordan Mason had a ten-yard run negated by a Deebo Samuel holding penalty. Instead of 1st & 10 in Vikings’ territory, San Francisco has a 1st & 20 and never crosses midfield. Mitch Wishnowsky’s punt was blocked on that drive.
Multiple first downs were wiped away due to holding penalties in Week 3 against the Los Angeles Rams.
The 49ers have had multiple touchdowns called back as the ball carrier entered the end zone. Mason has been on the wrong end of most calls, including a 40+ yard reception.
The data backs this up. Not only have the 49ers lost the most expected points in the NFL through eight weeks, but it’s nearly a touchdown more than the second-place team:
As we make projections for the second half, this should provide optimism for an offense that has excelled despite consistently making drives more difficult on themselves than they need to with untimely penalties.
