49ers still scuffling in analysts’ NFL power rankings in Week 10
By Peter Panacy
Niner Noise looks around the league to see what analysts are saying about the San Francisco 49ers in their latest NFL power rankings ahead of Week 10.
“Winless and injury-riddled” should be the phrase used to describe the San Francisco 49ers over nine weeks in 2017.
Week 9 was no different.
The Niners fell to their division rivals, the Arizona Cardinals 20-10 despite Arizona starting Drew Stanton at quarterback and having another one of the league’s worst offensive lines. And as far as injuries went, San Francisco lost safety Jaquiski Tartt (broken arm) to injured reserve and could also lose wide receiver Trent Taylor (ribs) soon as well.
San Francisco 49ers
It’s just been that kind of year, and gone are the days when the Niners were narrowly missing out on victories.
Nevertheless, San Francisco remains towards the bottom of NFL power rankings this week, including Niner Noise’s own published earlier today.
But let’s see what other experts around the league are saying heading into Week 10.
Elliot Harrison, NFL.com: 30 (+1)
"Jimmy Garoppolo Watch started for real Sunday night, after the 49ers fell to the Cardinals, only managing to score 10 points in the process. C.J. Beathard was asked to throw the football, and then throw some more, attempting 51 passes (the second-most of Week 9) with only 24 completions and no touchdowns. Could Niners brass really sit on Jimmy G the rest of the schedule, as Kyle Shanahan has discussed? Doubtful. While the move certainly made sense, it was still a bold one by a first-year GM in John Lynch. Folks are gonna want to see some ROI sooner than later — or at least get a peek at the shiny new toy. Oh, and better QB play could’ve beaten Arizona. So could holding onto possession for more than 23 minutes. Or deciding that penalties are not conducive to wins."
ESPN Stats & Information: 31 (even)
"The 49ers kept it close for a stretch, losing five straight by three or fewer points earlier in the season. But when the Week 1 starting quarterback has been released and the team is 0-9, “almost” doesn’t mean much. If it weren’t for the Browns, the 49ers would be last in these rankings."
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: 31 (even)
"The sooner they get Jimmy Garoppolo on the field, the better off they will be. They have a winnable game at home against the Giants this week."
USA Today Sports: 31 (even)
"Big opportunity to get off mat this week with 1-7 Giants coming to Silicon Valley. Might also be right time to roll out fresh tech at quarterback."
Frank Schwab, Yahoo! Sports: 31 (even)
"ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the 49ers might not sign Jimmy Garoppolo to a long-term deal, but instead franchise tag him and trade him. Presumably they could get at least a second-round pick back, which is what they gave to the Patriots. Then the speculation turned to Kirk Cousins. Maybe the 49ers sign Cousins and trade Garoppolo. Maybe the trade will be tagged Garoppolo for tagged Cousins.This all sounds like the 49ers trying to gain contract leverage because the team has none at the moment, but perhaps there’s something to it. Garoppolo is three years younger and would command a much cheaper deal than Cousins (Cousins has 85 career touchdowns, Garoppolo has 94 career passes), so I’m not sure why a rebuilding team would prefer Cousins. But it’s well documented that the 49ers are infatuated with Cousins. Maybe this ends up as we all figure and Garoppolo signs a long-term deal. Perhaps when we see the master plan unfold we give the 49ers credit for buying low on Garoppolo and flipping him for even more in a few months. It’s certainly an interesting situation."
Chris Simms, Bleacher Report: 32 (-1)
"The San Francisco 49ers have passes the Cleveland Browns as the worst team in football. The Browns at least play solid defense. There’s nothing the 49ers are doing well right now.San Francisco had one of the best chances of the year to win a game in Week 9. The Arizona Cardinals were relying on backup quarterback Drew Stanton, yet they still had their way with the 49ers defense. San Francisco allowed Adrian Peterson to run for 159 yards.Offensively, the 49ers don’t have anything special, either. Rookie C.J. Beathard isn’t good enough to be a starting quarterback at this point. He might not be a legitimate backup, either. I don’t think the 49ers are going to be able to win a game from here on out unless they’re willing to put the newly acquired Jimmy Garoppolo under center.If the 49ers don’t turn to Garoppolo, they’re admitting they’re tanking."
Not surprisingly, Jimmy Garoppolo is on the forefront of almost every analyst’s mind after the Niners’ blockbuster trade before the deadline.
Based off wins and losses, excitement level and the overall watchability of the 49ers product, it makes sense why analysts and pundits suggest the new quarterback should be starting.
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Consider this, though — San Francisco’s banged-up and makeshift offensive line just allowed five sacks and 16 hits on quarterback C.J. Beathard last week. And previous weeks haven’t exactly been much better.
Yes, ideally the 49ers get a good return on investment sooner than later. But what’s the point of ruining that investment right now when the supporting cast is terrible? Perhaps when some O-line reinforcements — a la left tackle Joe Staley (eye) — return, but not now.
Oh, and Bleacher Report’s Chris Simms should go read about the Browns’ trade attempt for A.J. McCarron when thinking about worst NFL teams.
Next: NFL power rankings: Plenty of losers and blowouts entering Week 10
At least the Niners got their guy, Chris.