RB Frank Gore is the NFL's top-ranked rusher. (US Presswire)

Through seven weeks of the season, the 49ers are among the NFL's best in several statistical categories.

Here is a look at some of the notable stats:

  • No. 1 defense against the pass (173.4 ypg). A closer look: Nine teams have more pass attempts against them.
  • Defense is No. 24 in sacks (11). A closer look: Aldon Smith has accounted for exactly half of them (5.5) and ranks No. 14 in the NFL.
  • Just three teams (Philadelphia, Arizona, Chicago) have held opposing QBs to a worse QB rating (73.6). A closer look: 49ers QB Alex Smith ranks No. 8 in the NFL at 93.9.
  • Six teams have allowed just six passing TDs (Arizona, Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle). A closer look: Of those teams, the 49ers have the fewest INTs (5).
  • Two teams have allowed fewer 20+ gains through the air (Pittsburg, Detroit) than the 49ers (13). A closer look: Pittsburg and Detroit allowed a TD pass of 71 yards; the longest pass play the 49ers gave up went for 50 yards and it wasn't a TD.
  • When the 49ers ran for more than 300 yards and passed for 300 three games ago, it came against easily the league's worst rushing defense. A closer look: Buffalo has allowed more yards rushing (1,238), the highest average per carry (6.0) and the most rushing TDs (13).
  • No. 10 defense against the run (98.9). A closer look: Five teams ranked ahead allowed more yards per carry.
  • Offensive line is ranked as the No. 1 overall unit in the league by profootballfocus.com. A closer look: Top-ranked run-blocking unit, No. 10  pass-blocking unit.
  • No. 2-ranked scoring defense (14.3 ppg). A closer look: San Francisco will play the top-ranked team, Chicago, at home on Monday Night Football on Nov. 19. 
  • No. 9 offense in the NFL (376.4 ypg). A closer look: No. 3 offense in yards per play. 
  • No. 19 in the NFL on third-down conversion (36%). A closer look: NFL-leader Pittsburg converts at 54 percent.
  • The 49ers offense has been penalized 45 times -- 19th-fewest in the league. A closer look: The undefeated Falcons (6-0) have been penalized only 18 times on offense, the best mark in the NFL.
  • No. 12 in turnover differential (plus-2). A closer look: The 49ers were a historic plus-28 last season, when Smith threw just five INTs.
  • Passing offense ranks No. 29 in yards per game (199.9). A closer look: Tied with Green Bay for yards per attempt (7.6) at No. 8.
  • Rushing offense ranks No. 2 in yards per game (176.6). A closer look: Longest run of the season has been 37 yards. 
  • No. 1 in yards per carry (5.9). A closer look: Washington is No. 2 (5.4). Smith is No. 7 in completion percentage (66.8). A closer look: The players immediately after him are Philip Rivers, Ben Roethlisberger, Tom Brady, Andy Dalton and Eli Manning. 
  • Rivers has thrown for 65 more yards than Smith. A closer look: Rivers also has 19 more attempts.
  • RB Frank Gore ranks No. 6 in rushing yards. A closer look: He has more TDs (4) than Jamaal Charles, Marshawn Lynch and Adrian Peterson, all of whom have more yards.
  • 19 rookies have carried the ball in the NFL this season. A closer look: None of them had more yards in college than 49ers RB LaMichael James, who has yet to be active for a game.
  • 25 rookie WRs have at least one catch. A closer look: One of them is former 49ers practice squad member Nathan Palmer (1 catch), but 49ers first round pick A.J. Jenkins is not.

Follow 49ers reporter Kyle Bonagura on Twitter @CBS49ers and @KyleBonagura.

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