49ers defense goes old-school in quest for scoring record

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NFL.com news: 49ers defense goes old-school in quest for scoring record

Bolstering the argument that Jim Harbaugh's reclamation project in San Francisco is no fluke: The 49ers defense has not allowed a rushing touchdown all season.

Pause for a minute. Before we blow that off for the next Tim Tebow featurette, understand that this has not been achieved by another team through 11 regular-season games -- in 83 years.

The last squad to do it? The 1928 Providence Steam Roller. (Sidenote: Maybe the best team name ever? Others in play: Dayton Triangles, Staten Island Stapletons and the high-rolling Tonawanda Kardex.)

While the Ravens and Steelers allowed only five touchdowns on the ground in 2010, the 49ers gave up nine and provided little indication they'd blow up this way one season later.

Even in today's pass-happy NFL, the Colts have been scored on by land 15 times. Same with the Panthers. But the 49ers have been outrageous on this front, allowing just 68 yards on 33 carries in the red zone.

That said, we're not sure how any of these teams would fare against the Steam Roller, which gave up 3.8 points per game and posted no less than five shutouts (albeit, largely against men who were selling insurance and peddling veal cutlets half the year)

 

[Flyingiguana]

who wouldn't want to tackle an insurance salesmen?

 

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The 49ers defense hasn't allowed a rushing touchdown in 286 carries ((238 this season))

its been 83 years since the last team didn't allow a rushing td in the first 11 games.

If the 49ers extend their streak Sunday, they'll be the first team since at least the 1970 NFL/AFL merger to go 12 straight games in a season with not allowing a rushing touchdown.

One more historical note: The only other teams that did not allow a rushing touchdown in an 11-game, single-season stretch were the 1992 49ers and '92 Cleveland Browns. The Chicago Bears had a 15-game run over the course of two seasons, 1986-87.

The 49ers defense touts another high-profile streak: No 100-yard rusher allowed in the past 33 games.

 

[threelittleturds]

A rare feat no doubt. If it lasts until the playoffs, I'm pretty sure Brees or Rodgers will be the first ones to score a rushing TD on the 49ers. Both of those teams have that designed QB run where they spread the field with 4 or 5 WRs

 

[Mozart'sGhost]

It's nice that they can stop the run, they can win quite a few games that way, but they'll have to find a way to put some consistent pressure on the quarterback if they want to beat the really good teams.

 

[vvoland]

A rare feat no doubt. If it lasts until the playoffs, I'm pretty sure Brees or Rodgers will be the first ones to score a rushing TD on the 49ers. Both of those teams have that designed QB run where they spread the field with 4 or 5 WRs

considering the rate with which goldson, whitner, willis, and bowman knock RBs out of games, i really wouldn't mind seeing rodgers or brees try to run on this defense.