The 49ers see some big climbs in experts’ Week 17 NFL power rankings
By Peter Panacy
The San Francisco 49ers experienced a nice boost in NFL power rankings around the league after beating the Jacksonville Jaguars 44-33 on Sunday. Niner Noise takes a look at what the experts are saying after the Niners’ stunning upset in advance of Week 17.
The San Francisco 49ers may easily be the hottest thing in football right now.
OK, we won’t get too ahead of ourselves. But after weeks of futility and disappointment, it feels nice to brag again. All this, after the Niners knocked off the playoff-bound Jacksonville Jaguars and their top-ranked defense 44-33 in Week 16.
Yes, San Francisco hung 44 points against the league’s best defense on Sunday.
San Francisco 49ers
Better yet, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is the only signal-caller to post a 100-or-better passer rating in a game against Jacksonville this season. True story.
Needless to say, this victory — the first true test for the Niners on this recent hot streak — gives head coach Kyle Shanahan and Co. a boost in experts’ NFL power rankings heading into the final week of the regular season.
Let’s take a look at what they’re saying.
Elliot Harrison, NFL.com: 15 (+4)
"Jimmy Garoppolo can do no wrong right now. Win out and extend your undefeated record as an NFL starter into 2018? Sure, why not? Chuck touchdown passes sidearm? Sure, why not? Dissect the top pass defense in the league? Sure, why not? Throw in a rushing touchdown for all the chicks? Sure, why not? Stare 10,000 bands and their songs into an iPod? Sure, why … wait, that was a Chuck Norris joke. Have your agent ask for $25 million a year this offseason? Sure, why not?"
ESPN Stats & Information: 19 (+4)
"[Projected for 2017] 5 wins. Clearly the win total came well before the Jimmy Garoppolo deal. Garoppolo is now 4-0 as the starter in San Francisco, the only undefeated quarterback in the league since Week 13."
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: 22 (+3)
"They have to be thrilled with the 4-0 start by Jimmy Garoppolo. They need to sign him to a long-term deal as soon as they can."
USA Today Sports: 19 (+2)
"As impressive as stats and 4-0 record are, Jimmy Garoppolo’s poise and offensive command in totally new environment should also excite Niner Nation."
Chris Simms, Bleacher Report: 23 (even)
"Games like Sunday’s show why the future is bright for the San Francisco 49ers. We got to see how special Kyle Shanahan is as an offensive play-caller. We also got to fully experience the energy he and Jimmy Garoppolo have brought to the franchise.The Jaguars are one of the most physical teams in football, and the 49ers smacked them around early.With Shanahan and Garoppolo on board, the 49ers have the potential to field one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL next season. They have the confidence, they have the key pieces in place, and they have a ton of cap space to utilize in free agency."
Russell Baxter, FanSided.com: 21 (+3)
"On Sunday against the league’s stingiest defense, the Niners’ offensive unit produced five touchdowns. Garoppolo threw for 242 yards (1 interception) and had one of the team’s three rushing touchdowns. Meanwhile, the San Francisco defense harassed Jaguars’ quarterback Blake Bortles into three interceptions. That’s four straight wins for Kyle Shanahan’s club."
For the record, Niner Noise has San Francisco ranked at No. 20 — up from 23rd last week and right about in the mix with everyone not named Elliot Harrison.
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Although it’s pretty cool to see someone think of the Niners that high.
Garoppolo has made a huge difference, no doubting that. But we should curb our enthusiasm just a smidge heading into the offseason. San Francisco still needs a lot of work, although a still-high draft pick and loads of cap space set the table nicely.
Still, it’s hard not to feel good about this franchise, despite a 5-10 record, after all the frustrating losses earlier this season answered by a four-game winning streak.
And against two playoff-hopeful teams on back-to-back weeks too.
Next: Niner Noise's NFL power rankings ahead of Week 17
The Niners wrap up their 2017 campaign with a road bout versus the Los Angeles Rams, which may wind up being one of the better budding rivalries in the NFL for the foreseeable future.