49ers: Where San Francisco stands in Week 7 NFL power rankings

After yet another close loss in Week 6, the San Francisco 49ers might have impressed a few analysts in their latest NFL power rankings. Let’s take a look around the league to see what they’re saying.

The San Francisco 49ers are setting NFL records.

After falling 26-24 to the Washington Redskins in Week 6, the Niners became the first team in league history to lose five consecutive games by three points or less.

Still winless, head coach Kyle Shanahan’s squad has lost their last five games by a combined 13 points. That’s insane.

San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

Winless teams this deep into the season never fare well in NFL power rankings, although the close nature of these contests probably has to factor into analysts’ opinions and takes from around the league.

So with Week 7 on the horizon, let’s take a look to see what pundits and analysts are saying about San Francisco thus far.

Elliot Harrison, NFL.com: 31 (even)

"C.J. Beathard is the man now.Brian Hoyer had his opportunity, and frankly, didn’t earn his keep. Despite votes of confidence from team brass and a certain writer I know. The Failing Washington Post (just kidding) pointed out that Beathard provided his team an energy boost when it really, really needed precisely that. OK, the kid didn’t bring San Francisco all the way back for a win, but Beathard carries upside, whereas Hoyer has entered a static position in the minds of most personnel decision makers. Favorite Beathard play? Easy: The mock-scramble-up-the-middle-throw-it-off-his-front-foot-to-Aldrick Robinson-for-45-yards-and-a-score."

ESPN Stats & Information: 31 (-2)

"According to Elias Sports bureau, the 49ers are the first team in NFL history to lose five straight by three or fewer points in a season. That’s not exactly the kind of streak the 49ers would like to extend, but they’d probably like to keep it close against the Cowboys, Eagles and Cardinals over the next three weeks."

Frank Schwab, Yahoo! Sports: 31 (even)

"This really is the most competitive 0-6 team in NFL history. According to Josh Dubow of the Associated Press the 49ers have been outscored by 33 points, and the second lowest total for an 0-6 team is the 2000 Chargers at minus-84. It’s hard to believe the 49ers’ luck in close games will continue to be this bad. It also sums up the parity of the league: Any team from 31 on down can point to a few plays here or there making a big difference in their record."

Chris Simms, Bleacher Report: 31 (even)

"It was the right move to bench Brian Hoyer for rookie C.J. Beathard. He gives the 49ers a more aggressive trigger finger under center, and he holds more upside than Hoyer. At some point, the 49ers were going to have to make the change in order to keep the rest of the team believing in the building process.Making the switch in Week 6 was nearly enough to net the 49ers a win.The 49ers now need to get the ground game going with more consistency. Coach Kyle Shanahan fields the best play-action offense in the game, and the 49ers need to be able to feed on it."

Included in the breakdowns was how making the switch under center from Brian Hoyer to C.J. Beathard provided a much-needed spark the Niners were lacking.

Beathard wasn’t particularly great, although he certainly played with a kind of grit and determination San Francisco simply wasn’t getting from Hoyer. Considering how “hand in glove” the NFL is, the fact Beathard was a part of some key touchdown drives after coming in says a lot.

More from Niner Noise

Yes, the Niners could be the best 0-6 team in NFL history. But the record also speaks for itself. Good teams find ways to win a lot of those games, while bad ones — like the 49ers — can’t come up with the key play, or two, to close out a victory.

Still, this is a vastly improved bunch over what was on the field under former head coach Chip Kelly a year ago.

San Francisco hosts the Dallas Cowboys, who are coming off a bye, in Week 7 before hitting the road again for a showdown with the surging Philadelphia Eagles.

Next: Niner Noise Week 7 NFL power rankings: Packers tumble

An 0-8 start looks like a real possibility.

Where do the 49ers stand in Week 7 NFL power rankings?

By Peter Panacy | Oct 17, 2017