Niners Nation
As injuries continue to mount for the San Francisco 49ers, the wins do as well. At 5-2, the NFC West has a three-way tie with the Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, and 49ers. Only the 49ers’ perfect 3-0 division record separates the three teams. Through seven games, it is hard to envision a better scenario with the huge injuries to the roster. Now, with Bryce Huff out for at least two weeks, can the 49ers keep finding ways to win games? The better question is: how impressed is the NFL media world with the 49ers’ 5-2 start?
ESPN.com – The 49ers return to the top ten
Sunday’s win moved the 49ers up one spot to number ten in the power rankings, and Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com highlights Kendrick Bourne as the most important role player on the team.
“Bourne didn’t even join the 49ers until Week 2, but with injuries ravaging the receiver room, he has been a crucial target for quarterback Mac Jones and someone the Niners can count on besides running back Christian McCaffrey. Through six games, Bourne has 25 receptions for 385 yards, making him the most productive non-McCaffrey pass catcher on the roster. Though the team is expecting wideouts Ricky Pearsall (knee) and Brandon Aiyuk (knee) to return at some point, Bourne has earned the opportunity to keep getting snaps.”
NFL.com – The 49ers land just outside the top ten at #12
Eric Edholm of NFL.com points to the 49ers’ coaching and depth stepping up despite the team’s low point differential. Edholm moves the 49ers up three spots to number 12.
“The Niners are 5-2, but with a barely positive point differential (plus-7) and a slew of injured players, so I don’t truly know how they’re doing it, other than to say that the coaching has been excellent and the depth options have stepped up tremendously well. The first defensive test after Fred Warner’s season-ending injury went swimmingly, with San Francisco holding the Falcons in check nearly all night in an inspired showing. Of course, it wouldn’t be a 49ers game unless someone was hit with a malady, in this case starting CB Renardo Green, who went down with a toe injury, further weakening a group that was already without Upton Stout. And it seems like they might have to go without Brock Purdy again for a tough test at Houston in Week 8. But Christian McCaffrey showed Sunday night that he still can carry a team, so the Niners figure to maintain their competitiveness during this challenging stretch.”
CBSSports.com – The 49ers jump three spots to #12
Pete Prisco agrees with Edholm with a three-spot jump for the 49ers. The 49ers are sandwiched in between the defending Super Bowl champs and the Chicago Bears.
“They are 5-2 and tied for the division lead. The defense came up big against the Falcons without stars Nick Bosa and Fred Warner, who are gone for the year.”
Bleacher Report – A victory over Atlanta moves the 49ers one...
