As football season draws near, anticipation among the 49ers Faithful is buzzing. With a formidable lineup of All-Pros and Pro Bowlers returning intact from last year’s roster, optimism is high for the upcoming season.
NFL.com analyst Gennaro Filice recently unveiled his predictions for the top offenses of the upcoming 2024 season, and San Francisco claimed the coveted top spot. The 49ers led the league in points per game last season (28.4 ppg) on their way to competing in Super Bowl LVIII, and are now poised to showcase their offensive prowess once again.
Below is a factor Filice highlighted in the 49ers offensive unit’s first place ranking.
“SIGNATURE STRENGTH: Kyle Shanahan’s scheme. The 49ers head man has established himself as one of the best offensive minds in football by running a balanced system that’s not just the envy of tape munchers but also many NFL coaches. Shanahan’s concepts — which consistently put defenses in a run/pass bind through creative deployment and savvy play sequencing — have spread throughout the league as the branches of his coaching tree have grown. So, how has he kept his own version of the attack fresh? Constant evolution. As The Ringer’s Ben Solak chronicled before this past February’s Super Bowl, the play-action passes that used to be the hallmark of Shanahan’s offense aren’t nearly as common these days. That said, the coach still leans on wide-zone runs, condensed formations and versatile personnel packages. Speaking of personnel, Shanahan has all-star talent at running back (Christian McCaffrey), fullback (Kyle Juszczyk), wide receiver (Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel Sr.) and tight end (George Kittle), along with a quarterback (Brock Purdy) who executes his system with aplomb. While the offensive line beyond first-team All-Pro LT Trent Williams still leaves something to be desired, Shanahan routinely schemes around it. This is a well-oiled machine with premium parts and a deft designer.”
Filice of NFL.com’s top-10 offensive units of 2024 ranking:
- San Francisco 49ers
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Detroit Lions
- Los Angeles Rams
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Miami Dolphins
- Green Bay Packers
- Buffalo Bills
- Houston Texans
- Indianapolis Colts