San Francisco 49ers

Lynch: 49ers are "One of the best teams in the NFL"

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aaron Lynch thinks that the 49ers are “One of the best teams in the NFL.” Their 1-6 record would strongly suggest otherwise.

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Aaron Lynch thinks the Niners are one of the better teams in the NFL. According to their record and every significant statistical metric, this is absolutely false.

Here’s what Lynch had to say, per NFL.com:

“We have the team. We possibly have one of the best teams in the NFL, easily. Hands down. We need to know how to keep finishing games and work together throughout the whole game. Once we get that down, nobody’s going to be able to mess with us.”

Well, they’d better “get that down” quick. The 49ers 1-6 record is pointing towards a near-inevitable third straight season missing the playoffs.

This sentiment is not Lynch’s alone, however. Says safety Eric Reid of the defensive system that has given up the most points in the NFL:

“I love this scheme. If everybody does their job, we shouldn’t get beat. But whenever there’s an explosive play, somebody is out of position. We just got to tighten up.”

To be fair, some of the blame can be placed on an offense that cannot seem to keep the defense off the field. NaVorro Bowman‘s torn Achilles tendon doesn’t help things either.

But for a franchise that has prided itself on defensive prowess since the Mike Nolan era, being the worst defense in the NFL is quite embarrassing — then again, maybe that’s why the players are refusing to acknowledge the apparent truth.

More from Niner Noise

When your defense ranks last in the NFL in points and 30th in yards allowed, something is wrong. It may be the coaching staff, the players, or both, but something is clearly wrong.

The 49ers may not have the deepest or most talented defense in the NFL, but the coaching staff has been less than impressive. It may take until the end of the season, but Jim O’Neil needs to figure things out, and fast, if he wants to be with the 49ers next fall.

This article originally appeared on