With a 4.8 yard per carry average, the G-Men have the sixth ranked rushing average, a stark contrast vs. last year's abysmal performance.

In the 2011 regular season, the team was dead last in average per carry with 3.5 yards per game for the first 16 games.

The meaning?

1) It enhances the ability for Eli to buy time to throw
2) The offensive line is jelling well, a big surprise, though maybe more so with David Diehl being forced out of the lineup.

The Brandon Jacobs-less 49ers are currently tops in the NFL with a 6.1 rushing average. It's also a big improvement over last year's season.