NFL power rankings: What experts are saying about 49ers entering Week 2

The San Francisco 49ers dropped their season opener to the Minnesota Vikings in sloppy fashion, which means experts won’t be too kind in their NFL power rankings for Week 2.

In all reality, the San Francisco 49ers weren’t supposed to go to Minnesota and pull off an upset over the Vikings in Week 1 — a team many are likely pegging to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LIII.

The Niners lost, of course, falling 24-16 in what turned into a sloppy, mistake-filled effort by head coach Kyle Shanahan and Co. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo tossed three interceptions, although one of which was on wide receiver Kendrick Bourne running the wrong route, there were numerous drops by receivers and missed tackles by the defense.

San Francisco’s offensive line was shoddy in both run and pass blocking, injuries hindered the team’s chances on both sides and running back Alfred Morris‘ fumble on the Vikings 1-yard line proved costly.

All that said, the Niners lost by a mere one score and were in position to tie things up late. So, one might assume, that’s a bit of a plus while going up against what was the league’s best defense from a year ago.

Perhaps some of the offseason hype surrounding the 49ers has died down a bit, however, so let’s take a look around the league and see what experts are saying in their latest NFL power rankings heading into Week 2.

ESPN Power Panel — 18th (-2):

"Richard Sherman played all 71 snaps in his first game back from a torn Achilles, including 64 as the CB on the left side (offense’s right) of the 49ers’ defense. Kirk Cousins didn’t have much success passing to that side, going 6-of-15 for 84 yards on throws past the line of scrimmage."

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports — 23rd (-1)

"The offense has to be better than what it showed at Minnesota. But that was a tough test."

Nate Davis, USA Today Sports — 21st (+2)

"Three INTs, sub-50% completion rate … a LOSS. This is how the other half lives, Jimmy Garoppolo — not that we expect you to get used to it."

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 09: Danielle Hunter #99 of the Minnesota Vikings sacks Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers in the second half of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

Bleacher Report Staff — 19th (-2)

"Jimmy G’s streak is no more.For the first time in his career as a starter in the NFL, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo has tasted defeat after falling on the road to open the season.There’s no shame in losing to the Vikings. Minnesota’s a loaded team on both sides of the ball that many have tabbed as the favorite to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LIII.The way San Francisco lost, however, is cause for some concern. With tailback Jerick McKinnon out for the season, the running game struggled to the tune of 3.6 yards per carry. With the ground game stuck in neutral, Garoppolo was forced to press—and it showed.For the game, Garoppolo was just 15-of-33 passing with three interceptions and a passer rating of 45.1.That’s not what the Niners had in mind when they handed Garoppolo $74 million in guaranteed money over the summer."

Frank Schwab, Yahoo! Sports — 17th (-1)

"There’s not too much to be taken from the 49ers struggling against a very good Vikings defense. However, it’s also fair to wonder if maybe the 49ers aren’t just going to move on from the Jerick McKinnon injury that easily. Alfred Morris and Matt Breida did almost nothing in the opener, and there’s no guarantee that’ll change much."

Matt Verderame, FanSided — 17th (even)

"Well, Jimmy Garoppolo finally lost a game and looked bad in the process. He’ll bounce back, but that was an ugly opener."

Interestingly enough, Niner Noise’s Week 2 power rankings put San Francisco at No. 17. It’s a safe bet to say the team is, overall, better than the way it played Sunday.