Niner Noise
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NFL power rankings: Stacking up all 32 teams heading into Week 15

By Peter Panacy

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 10: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers meets Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens at mid field after the conclusion of the Pittsburgh Steelers 39-38 win over the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field on December 10, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 10: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers meets Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens at mid field after the conclusion of the Pittsburgh Steelers 39-38 win over the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field on December 10, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 10: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates with general manager John Lynch after the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 10: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates with general manager John Lynch after the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

42. . W, 26-16 at Texans. Previous: . San Francisco 49ers. 27. team

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

Gosh, it seems like forever ago when we had the 49ers this high in our NFL power rankings.

Alas, the Niners have their first winning streak since 2014 after dropping the Houston Texans 26-16 at NRG Stadium. Despite a sluggish start, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was again effective moving San Francisco’s offense, finding some chemistry with wide receiver Marquise Goodwin.

Cornerback Dontae Johnson was a regular victim of Texans wideout DeAndre Hopkins, but Johnson can feel good about being on a long list of defensive backs Hopkins has beaten.

Oh, and here’s a fun stat for you — after Week 14, the Niners have allowed an average of 3.9 yards per carry on the ground. That ranks seventh best in the NFL. Considering how bad the 49ers were in this category a year ago, it’s safe to say this team’s rebuild is heading in the right direction.

Out of all the bottom-dwelling teams, San Francisco appears to be the one in the best shape moving forward.

Biggest Question

The 49ers invested in Garoppolo prior to the NFL trade deadline. Now they need to surround him with talent.

This offseason should be about upgrading the offensive line and finding a top-tier wide receiver to make head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense click at the next level.