2011 49ers vs. 1990 Giants

[msclemons]

Do the 2011 49ers remind anyone else of the 1990 NY Giants?

Phil Simms: 59% comp, 2284 yds, 15 TD, 4 INT, 92.7 QBR
Alex Smith: 61% comp, 2752 yds, 16 TD, 5 INT, 91.1 QBR
both efficient, protect the ball, the occasional big play when needed

Otis Anderson/Rodney Hampton: 1200 yds, 4 y/c
Frank Gore: 1119 yds, 4.4 y/c
grinder type running backs, lots of 3 yards and a cloud of dust with the occasional big run and few negative plays

The receivers for both teams were mediocre with a really good tight end for some spice.

NYG defense: 1st in points allowed, gave up 9 rushing TDs but only 12 passing TDs
SF Defense: 1st in points allowed, 0 rushing TDs, 18 pass TDs

Turnover differential: NYG +24, 49ers +25

Special teams: Sean Landetta and Matt Bahr not as good as Lee and Akers (nobody is) but comparable. Ginn and Meggett as return men.

The 1990 Giants, much like the 2011 49ers won ugly. They didn’t put up pretty stats or fireworks plays. The ground out games and physically punished their opponents. The same thing the 49ers are doing this year.

Mostly, the '90 Giants drained the clock and made games shorter. The '11 49ers are doing the same thing in much the same manner.

[Polishguy00]

Nice job Clem. That is nice stuff to back up your thoughts. Aldon Smith and Justin Smith with the other good linebackers reminds me of the Giant front seven as well. So who is twin of Everson Walls?

[iwatt]

Do the 2011 49ers remind anyone else of the 1990 NY Giants?

Phil Simms: 59% comp, 2284 yds, 15 TD, 4 INT, 92.7 QBR
Alex Smith: 61% comp, 2752 yds, 16 TD, 5 INT, 91.1 QBR
both efficient, protect the ball, the occasional big play when needed

Except that the league averages are
2011: 60.1% 7.2 YPA, QBR 82.4 TD/INT 1.46
1990: 56% 7.0 YPA, QBR 75.0 TD/INT 1.20

The 2011 49ers average 7.1 YPA
The 1990 Giants avereage 7.3 YPA

So yes, the formula looks similar, but the difference is that Phil Simms was an above average QB for his time, and Alex Smith is average (which is progress).