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SANTA CLARA — Historically woeful on defense in recent years, the 49ers have reversed field. They’re dominating. They’re undefeated. They’re shooting for the stars.
Which universe? A place among the best defenses in NFL history.
“We aspire every year to be compared to one of the great defenses of all-time – the ’85 Bears, the 2000 Ravens, and the (1970’s Pittsburgh Steelers) ‘Steel Curtain,’ ” cornerback Richard Sherman said after Sunday’s 20-7 silencing of the Los Angeles Rams.
Only the New England Patriots (6-0) are allowing fewer points (8 per game) and yards (234.7) than the 49ers (14.3 points, 257.5 yards).
General manager John Lynch, who played on one of the NFL’s greatest defenses with the 2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, saw signs Sunday indicative of a special unit.
“We’ve got the makings of one,” Lynch said. “In big situations, we came up with stops.”
He specifically pointed to a quartet of fourth-down stops, including a goal-line stand. Lynch cautioned how it’s a “long year,” that five games don’t make a historically defense, albeit one that’s continuously evolved since he and Kyle Shanahan arrived after the 2016 season’s disaster (2-14 record, NFL-worst 30 points and 406 yards per game).
Points allowed this season: 17, 17, 20, 3, 7.
Sherman’s been on a season-long quest to earn respect for his defensive teammates, and he named off almost every one after Sunday’s win — even looking into the cameras to teach people how to pronounce Jaquiski Tartt’s name so they can also tout the strong safety.
So how do the 49ers digest their overdue success and balance the need to stay humble amid ever-growing confidence?
“That’s on them. Coaches demand a lot out of them,” Lynch said. “But there’s a spirit with this group of guys. They want more.”
The 49ers did not let the Rams score more than an opening-series touchdown or pass for more than 78 yards. The previous game, the Cleveland Browns scored only three points.
Sacks and turnovers have become an expected staple from a 49ers defense that couldn’t muster them last season, when they set NFL records for only two interceptions and seven takeaways.
Third-down conversions allowed over the last three games: Steelers, 3-of-12; Browns, 1-of-11; and, Rams, 0-of-9. Sunday brought fourth-down stops, and a goal-line stand that had defensive coordinator Robert Saleh beaming, no, exploding with pride.
“The grit and the fight those guys have to be able to end up there, get that push just goes to show the will of this football team,” Saleh said.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been on a team with a defense in the top 10,” Shanahan said. “Obviously ours is that right now, and that does change things up, not just for a play caller but for a quarterback. … Sometimes we’re counting on you to give us a chance to win, and sometimes we have to count on you not to give the other team a chance.”
Shanahan has called plays for some 12 years now, and the only time he’s been on a team with a top-10 scoring defense was the 2014 Cleveland Browns, who ranked ninth in points allowed but 23rd in yards yielded while finishing on a five-game skid.
Where will the 49ers defense rank in 11 games as they enter their first postseason in six years? Can they first compare to some of the 49ers’ all-time greats before drawing the historical comparisons to the ’85 Bears, 2000 Ravens and Pittsburgh’s Steel Curtain?
Only the 1984 49ers touted the league’s No. 1 scoring defense of the Super Bowl-era. Their 1995 and ’97 defense allowed the league’s fewest yards. The 2011-13 versions ranked top-five in both categories.
This defense is excelling at all levels, not just with the quarterback-mauling pass rush, led by Arik Armstead, DeForest Buckner, Dee Ford, Nick Bosa and on and on.
Washington is the next stop on the 49ers defense’s cross-country tour, a chance to show East Coast skeptics this franchise is on the come.
“We just hope they stick to their words,” Sherman said. “Stick to your guns. If you were calling us ‘pretenders’ at the beginning, call us ‘pretenders’ now, call us ‘pretenders’ the whole time. Because you don’t get to go hindsight is 20/20 with this every year.
“Stick to your guns. ‘We’re a terrible team. We don’t have enough talent. We’re just on a rebuilding year. Etc. Etc.’ Stick to your words,” Sherman added. “For those that believe in us, The Faithful, continue to believe in us, continue to be humble, we’re going to give you guys a good show.”
