Niner Noise
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Where the 49ers stand in experts’ Week 16 NFL power rankings

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 17: Defensive back K'Waun Williams #24 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after his team recovered a fumble against the Tennessee Titans during the second quarter at Levis Stadium on December 17, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 17: Defensive back K'Waun Williams #24 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after his team recovered a fumble against the Tennessee Titans during the second quarter at Levis Stadium on December 17, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images) /
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Niner Noise takes a look around the league to see where experts put the San Francisco 49ers in their latest NFL power rankings heading into Week 16 after the Niners dropped the Tennessee Titans last Sunday.

Not long ago, the San Francisco 49ers were fighting to stay away from the very bottom of experts’ NFL power rankings.

Now, after a three-game win streak and having taken four of their last five contests, the Niners are slowly moving their way upwards.

This, after head coach Kyle Shanahan’s squad knocked off the playoff-hopeful Tennessee Titans 25-23 in a back-and-forth thriller at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday. Unlike San Francisco’s previous two contests, this one against an above-.500 squad should count a little more in expert takes around the league.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

As we typically do each week, Niner Noise explores what the experts are saying about the Niners in their Week 16 NFL power rankings. Following the win, San Francisco is now at 4-10 and has the chance to continue the spoiler role with pending bouts versus the Jacksonville Jaguars and Los Angeles Rams in Weeks 16 and 17, respectively.

But let’s see what’s being said about the red and gold after last week’s win.

Elliot Harrison, NFL.com: 19 (+4)

"Jimmy Garoppolo has officially ruined the next few years for every GM who doesn’t happen to possess a franchise quarterback. The former Patriot pulled a Montana for the 49ers on Sunday, taking the football at his own 25 with a minute and change and pushing the offense into field-goal territory in three plays. If the final drive was Montana-ish, the numbers were Steve Young-y: 31 of 43 for 381 yards with a touchdown, no picks and a passer rating well north of 100. Now every fan base will be screaming for its team’s brass to trade for whomever the hot backup is next season,or pay Kirk Cousins a king’s ransom, squared, this offseason."

ESPN Stats & Information: 23 (+6)

Taking into account the likely Pro Bowlers from each squad.

"Joe Staley and Elvis Dumervil (5): Even if they don’t make the Pro Bowl this year, the five-time selections playing for the Niners have been effective this season. Staley has started 13 games at left tackle, and Dumervil is the team leader in sacks (5.5)."

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: 25 (+2)

"They are 3-0 with Jimmy Garoppolo playing quarterback. He is their future."

HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 10: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers throws a pass in the third quarter 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 throws a pass in the third quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /

USA Today Sports: 21 (+5)

"So will the ’72 Dolphins uncork champagne bottles Sunday if Jacksonville manages to deal an elusive defeat to the Garoppolo Niners?"

Frank Schwab, Yahoo! Sports: 24 (+3)

"Marquise Goodwin has been a nice revelation for the 49ers since Jimmy Garoppolo took over at quarterback. Goodwin has 24 catches for 319 yards in Garoppolo’s three starts. Goodwin is an incredible athlete who seemed underused at the University of Texas and by the Buffalo Bills too. The 27-year-old was a nice offseason find for the 49ers."

Chris Simms, Bleacher Report: 23 (+2)

"It’s amazing what having a franchise signal-caller can do for your football team. Jimmy Garoppolo has given the San Francisco 49ers confidence across the team. He’s also changed the offense’s efficiency.One thing we know about Kyle Shanahan is that he can dial up big, aggressive pass plays as long as he has a quarterback who can move in the pocket and throw off bootlegs. He can do it better than any play-caller in football, and Garoppolo is exactly the type of quarterback he needs. We saw that as he led San Francisco’s comeback drive against the Tennessee Titans.The 49ers are still missing some pieces, but the ship is heading in the right direction."

More from Niner Noise

It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, but experts are noticing how much a difference quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is making for San Francisco’s offense.

Garoppolo’s presence means Shanahan’s play-calling can effectively move the ball, leading to an increase in scoring and giving the team’s defense extended periods of rest. These were not common themes prior to Garoppolo taking over.

Last Sunday arguably marked the first true test for the 49ers, as they were facing a Titans squad gunning for the postseason. It only gets tougher, though, as the defensively potent Jaguars come to town in yet another game that could have significant playoff implications.

Next: NFL power rankings: Big losers and winners in Week 16

It wouldn’t be a shock to see the Niners’ win streak come to a close this weekend. But heck, why not let this nice little momentum surge pan out over these final two weeks, right?