Niner Noise
FanSided

NFL power rankings: Packers tumble in Week 7 after Aaron Rodgers injury

By Peter Panacy

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 15: Anthony Barr #55 of the Minnesota Vikings hits quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers during the first quarter of the game on October 15, 2017 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 15: Anthony Barr #55 of the Minnesota Vikings hits quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers during the first quarter of the game on October 15, 2017 at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 15: Quarterback C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers passes against the Washington Redskins during the second quarter at FedExField on October 15, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 15: Quarterback C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers passes against the Washington Redskins during the second quarter at FedExField on October 15, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

. 0-6. . San Francisco 49ers. 31. team. 42

No, the 49ers don’t climb a spot in our NFL power rankings this week after falling in yet another close matchup, this time to the Washington Redskins 26-24 in Week 6.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan finally decided he’d seen enough from veteran quarterback Brian Hoyer, benching him in favor of his rookie signal-caller, C.J. Beathard.

Beathard’s one touchdown against one interception and 72.1 passer rating doesn’t suggest a great game, although it’s pretty safe to assume the Niners offense is a little more prolific after the switch.

More importantly, he helped a 49ers squad overcome a 17-0 first-half deficit to close the game to two points.

San Francisco has now lost its last five games by a combined 13 points. That’s insane, and it’s crazy to see the vastly small scoring differential the Niners have compared to other bottom-dwelling teams in the league:

It’s likely the 49ers would have won in Week 6 if linebacker NaVorro Bowman was present to shore up a porous interior defense. He’s gone now, though, and San Francisco has taken the next step towards its future.

At least this team is competitive.