49ers remain right near the top in NFL power rankings after preseason Week 1

The 49ers aren't expected to move much in preseason NFL power rankings, and the latest from NFL Spin Zone keeps them right near the top.

Super Bowl-contending teams don't need the preseason all that much. If anything, these exhibition bouts help determine the fringes of the roster, providing in-game evidence for players who might seize depth and niche roles on the regular-season roster.

The San Francisco 49ers dropped their first preseason game of 2024, falling 17-13 to the Tennessee Titans in a game where head coach Kyle Shanahan opted to rest the vast majority of his starters.

Aside from some depth questions, mostly surrounding reserve players and open spots on the roster, it's hard to conclude too much about the Niners and where they stand entering the new season. While there were some notable injuries in the game, none truly impact the team's overall prospects for the year.

So, when looking at NFL power rankings after the first week of preseason action, one probably won't expect San Francisco to move that much.

If at all.

49ers land at No. 2 in NFL Spin Zone's preseason Week 2 power rankings

For much of the offseason, fans saw the 49ers in the No. 2 spot in most sites' NFL power rankings, right behind the team they lost to in the Super Bowl last February, the Kansas City Chiefs.

According to NFL Spin Zone's latest power rankings heading into Week 2 of the preseason, nothing has changed. The Niners are still No. 2 overall:

"There’s nothing really to see with the San Francisco 49ers in the preseason right now. This team may need a slight tune up before the start of the regular season, but for the most part, the 49ers should be expected to be one of the most well-oiled machines in the entire league."

Granted, NFZ acknowledged the headache surrounding wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk's contract situation and subsequent trade rumors.

But, with recent assumptions pointing toward him staying put, NFZ feels as if San Francisco should be right back in the Super Bowl again this year:

"If the 49ers can manage to hang on to Aiyuk, there’s no reason to believe this team will be doing anything in February but representing the NFC in the Super Bowl."

Barring some drastic injury to a key player prior to the regular season kicking off, there's almost zero reason to move the 49ers out of a top-two spot in any NFL power ranking.

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