49ers post-schedule release power rankings aren’t bad, not good

The 49ers certainly aren’t in the worst of shape in opening NFL power rankings with the 2022 league schedule out, but it could be a lot better.

Perhaps we’re being a bit critical here, but it’s a bit of a surprise to see the San Francisco 49ers towards the bottom of the top tier of teams, at least in terms of NFL power rankings to kick off the 2022 calendar.

The 2022 NFL schedule is now public knowledge, meaning it’s possible to divvy up each team’s calendar and identify the pinch points, tough spots and easy stretches.

For the Niners, who already experience the fifth-toughest schedule this season, it might not be as challenging a road as it was a year ago. But with the NFC West slated to square off against the new juggernaut division in the league, the AFC West, one can see how San Francisco will experience plenty of challenges regardless.

At any rate, it’s worth noting where the 49ers are lining up in the wake of the 2022 NFL schedule coming out.

It’s not the worst spot to be in, but there’s plenty of room for improvement.

BetSided ranks 49ers 9th in schedule-release NFL power rankings

Alright, so the Niners probably shouldn’t be considered a top-five team entering the upcoming season, and being within the top 10 is actually OK in its own regard.

After all, and especially in light of the NFC being the weaker conference now, that would likely pin San Francisco as a playoff team again.

Using WynnBET‘s betting odds for winning the Super Bowl (of which the 49ers come in at +1200), our friends over at BetSided broke down the Niners’ placement in the ninth spot and admitted something many a fan and analyst wondered:

"Trey Lance or Jimmy G? Hard schedule or easy? The answer to the second question is hard (fifth hardest to be exact)."

If we’re being realistic, it’s not a Lance-versus-Jimmy Garoppolo question at quarterback. Lance will be the guy, as San Francisco still needs to clear up the necessary cap space to sign its rookie 2022 NFL Draft class, and parting ways with Garoppolo would allocate an additional $25.5 million in much-needed funds.

However, it’s fair to wonder what kind of impact Lance will have in his first year as a starter.

Expected growing pains would thwart the 49ers from climbing much higher in NFL power rankings, but the team is still strong enough to contend for a Super Bowl anyway.