Niners Nation
The rollercoaster of the power rankings continues for the Niners
Heading into their bye week, the 49ers sit at 4-4. Depending on your perspective, this is either a win or loss through eight weeks. On the one hand, the 49ers have kicked away winnable games and limped into their bye week at .500. On the other hand, the 49ers are still in contention for the NFC West title with reinforcements on the way, and an experienced team that has been in this position before.
But is the NFL media convinced the 49ers will flip the switch? Let’s look around the internet to see how the 49ers are viewed.
ESPN.com - The 49ers move up one spot to #12
The 49ers’ win over Dallas only moves the 49ers up one spot, but Nick Wagoner named Dominick Puni as the team’s best offseason addition.
“The third-round pick has been exactly what the Niners needed at a position that has been troublesome for most of the coach Kyle Shanahan/GM John Lynch era. Injuries opened an opportunity for Puni during training camp, and he seized the job. His 94.1% pass block win rate ranks 12th among guards, and his run block win rate of 74.5% is 14th among players who have played at least 100 snaps at guard.”
Pro Football Talk - The 49ers rise three spots to #12
Mike Florio has the 49ers sandwiched in between the Atlanta Falcons and Denver Broncos, but is fully on board with the 49ers gaining reinforcements saying: “If they can ever get and stay healthy, they could be unstoppable.”
The 49ers Week 10 opponent sits at number 15 after being at number 12 and Florio says: “They’ve suddenly got work to do to win the division title for the fourth straight season” of the Buccaneers.
Bleacher Report - The 49ers rise to #11
“The Niners can’t be dismissed by any stretch. We’ve already seen them go from 3-4 to 13-4 in a season, and they’ve managed to tread water despite their injuries. The bye week should help wide receiver Jauan Jennings get healthy, and at some point, the team hopes to have running back Christian McCaffrey as well. If McCaffrey returns to practice as expected in Week 10, the 49ers could be primed for another second-half surge.”
Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report is confident in the 49ers’ experience in situations like this and their reinforcements returning.
NFL.com - The 49ers move up two spots to #14
Eric Edholm moves the 49ers up two spots and agrees Sunday’s win was a get-right situation for San Francisco.
“Sunday night’s contest was a get-right game for the Niners, even if it wasn’t easy. They didn’t take control of the banged-up Cowboys until the third quarter and didn’t actually put this one away until later than that. But no matter; San Francisco is 4-4 heading into a Week 9 bye, with potential moves at the trade deadline and the possible returns of Christian McCaffrey and Dre Greenlaw to look forward to....
