Niner Noise
FanSided

Where experts tab the 49ers in final regular-season NFL power rankings

By Peter Panacy

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers throws a pass against Blake Countess #24 of the Los Angeles Rams during the second quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers throws a pass against Blake Countess #24 of the Los Angeles Rams during the second quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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The San Francisco 49ers finished 2017 on a strong note, and Niner Noise checks around the league to see where experts have them placed in their final regular-season NFL power rankings after Week 17.

Remember when the San Francisco 49ers were back and forth with the Cleveland Browns for the worst spot on many experts’ NFL power rankings?

All that seems like a lifetime ago, and the Niners can look back at a 5-0 finish down the stretch of 2017 to finish off the season on a high note.

Needless to say, that nice little streak gave San Francisco quite a boost in those same expert takes.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

So how did the Niners finish?

As we typically do at the conclusion of each week, Niner Noise will accumulate expert takes on San Francisco to see where the team stands. Following the 34-13 Week 17 win against the Los Angeles Rams’ B-team, at least we know the 49ers finished on a strong note.

Elliot Harrison, NFL.com: 13 (+2)

"The 49ers’ ascension over the last month and change has been phenomenal. Sure, those guys in yellow tights they were playing against Sunday only looked like the 11-5 Rams. (What a glorious uni matchup!) But how can anyone knock a 34-13 win? Jimmy Garoppolo wasn’t even his legendary self, making two poor decisions in the first half that resulted in Rams interceptions. Still, San Francisco’s running game piled up 171 yards, while the defense let Rams backup QB Sean Mannion know it didn’t care if this was his audition for potential future work. That group worked over the former Oregon State star, giving this team its sixth win in seven games. Look out, 2018."

ESPN Stats & Information: 15 (+4)

"Opponent winning percentage: .512; tied for the 13th-hardest. No team had ever won more than three games following an 0-9 start until the Niners did it behind Jimmy Garoppolo, finishing with six wins after losing nine straight to open the year. It wasn’t an easy homestretch, either, with a relatively difficult schedule."

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: 23 (-1)

"They head to the offseason feeling good about their 5-0 finish with Jimmy Garoppolo. Watch out next season."

SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 24: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers congratulates Jimmy Garoppolo #10 after a one-yard touchdown run against the Jacksonville Jaguars during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 24: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers congratulates Jimmy Garoppolo #10 after a one-yard touchdown run against the Jacksonville Jaguars during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images) /

The MMQB Staff, Sports Illustrated: 13 (+2)

"Points in MMQB Power Poll: 153Highest-Place Vote: SeventhLowest-Place Vote: 22nd"

USA Today Sports: 18 (+1)

"It’s not quite Brady-esque, but Jimmy Garoppolo led San Francisco to a 6-10 record, the best in NFL history for a team that started 0-9."

Chris Simms, Bleacher Report: 21 (+2)

"How can you not be excited about what the future looks like for the San Francisco 49ers? Jimmy Garoppolo has completely changed the outlook of this organization. Kyle Shanahan is as creative an offensive game-planner as there is in football.I have a lot of confidence in defensive coordinator Robert Saleh as well.The 49ers have some key pieces in place, and they have a lot of cap room to spend in the offseason. Of course, they also have the two biggest pieces for the franchise in place in Garoppolo and Shanahan. Don’t be surprised if San Francisco does a complete 180 in 2018 and vies for the NFC West crown."

Russell Baxter, FanSided.com: 19 (+2)

"It’s an obvious no-brainer for the 49ers to secure the services of Garoppolo for the long term. Will they get a deal done or slap the franchise tag on him? Running back Carlos Hyde and strong safety Eric Reid could hit the free-agent market in March as well."

There are a number of key takeaways we can digest from San Francisco’s late surge in power rankings.

More from Niner Noise

First, as it’s pretty obvious, quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is a difference maker. You don’t need complex analysis to see the difference between a 1-10 and 6-10 franchise before, and after, he started games.

Second, and perhaps just as important, the Niners rebuild is moving along quicker than we initially thought it would. Most estimates, including our own, pegged this to be a long-term project, likely taking at least two or three years before San Francisco could be in contention again.

With talk of a possible playoff push as early as this year — paired with a ton of cap space and a top-10 selection in the 2018 NFL Draft — it’s crazy to see how fast the turnaround has gone.

Next: Niner Noise's Wild Card round NFL power rankings

And all that leads to what promises to be an exciting offseason for the red and gold.