NFL power rankings: Playoff picture taking shape heading into Week 17

Here’s a line you didn’t think you’d hear only six or seven weeks ago — the 49ers put up 44 points in a win over the Jaguars and their No. 1-ranked defense in Week 16.

San Francisco 49ers

Oh, and the Jags are 10-5 now, while the Niners are 5-10.

San Francisco has now won four games in a row, which is the first time that’s happened since the Jim Harbaugh era back in 2013. This team is riding a hot streak of momentum, and its last two wins — the Tennessee Titans and Jaguars, respectively — sure carry a lot of weight more than the Niners’ previous three — the Giants, Bears and Texans.

Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is proving to be a difference maker for head coach Kyle Shanahan and Co. With Garoppolo under center, Shanahan’s offense actually works. And doing so against Jacksonville’s defense is no fluke either.

It helps Niners defensive coordinator Robert Saleh spent time in Jacksonville too, as his defense looked well prepared to shut down Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette to the tune of 2.7 yards per carry.

The 49ers still lack plenty of firepower on both sides of the ball. But keep in mind, this team has a ton of salary cap space this offseason and will still be loaded with a relatively high pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Perhaps this rebuild isn’t going to take as long as everyone else expected, and it’s kind of a shame we won’t get to see the “right now” 49ers in the playoffs.

One might bet they’d do some damage.