NFL Power Rankings: 49ers well respected after regular-season
The San Francisco 49ers earned some respect in the final NFL power rankings of the regular season.
SF finished the season with a strong offensive showing (including scoring 30 or more points in five of the final six games) as well as the top defense in the league by either yards per game allowed or points allowed.
Rookie quarterback Brock Purdy keeps setting milestones, and the team got a couple of players back on offense to add depth to the equation as well.
On Sunday, they closed out Week 18 of the regular season with a 38-13 victory over the Arizona Cardinals for their 10th straight win and in the process earned the second seed in the NFC.
But before we get to the Wild Card Round game Saturday, let’s take a look at where the 49ers finished in the minds of the experts.
A look at San Francisco 49ers power rankings entering the Wild Card Round
NFL.com — No. 1
Dan Hanzus of NFL.com put San Francisco atop his list, writing:
"The Eagles have the bye and home-field advantage, but it’s the Niners who profile as the team most likely to come out of the NFC."
FanSided.com — No. 1
FanSided writer Russell S. Baxter also listed the 49ers at the top this week.
Baxter wrote:
"The 49ers were a perfect 6-0 vs. their NFC West rivals this year and outscored the Seahawks, Rams and Cardinals by a combined 179-66 count. Next up is Seattle in the Wild Card Round."
Yahoo! Sports — No. 2
Frank Schwab was impressed by the 49ers, but couldn’t put them above NFC No. 1 Philadelphia. Still he thinks there’s going to be a long playoff run to come:
"They still got a winnable wild-card matchup against the division rival Seahawks, and the potential home game against the Vikings in the second round is a huge edge. The 49ers have a strong path to the NFC championship game."
CBS Sports — No. 3
In Pete Prisco’s rankings at CBS, the 49ers have to look up at the top seed in both conferences. The Chiefs came in at No. 2, with SF at No. 3
"Brock Purdy has proven to be capable of winning a Super Bowl. They are loaded and they have a great coach in Kyle Shanahan, which makes them a real threat to win it all."
NBC Sports — No. 4
At NBC, Josh Shrock has San Francisco even a step below that. Shrock’s chief concern? Whether Purdy would be able to step up in the harsh lights of the NFL playoffs after his regular season run.
Bleacher Report — No. 4
Bleacher Report’s staff just ranked the NFL playoff teams, but the 49ers fared no better there than at CBS. The staff put them at No. 4.
B/R writer Maurice Moton wouldn’t be surprised to see a party in the Bay Area at the end of the season.
"If Purdy or Garoppolo limit their mistakes while making timely plays in the passing game, the 49ers will have a good shot to hoist the Lombardi Trophy in Glendale, Arizona.”"
