FanSided's Week 2 NFL power rankings have 49ers too low after dominating Jets
By Peter Panacy
The 49ers are still a top-five team in FanSided's Week 2 NFL power rankings, but they deserve to be higher than where they're ranked after walloping the Jets.
For anyone thinking the San Francisco 49ers would start off 2024 with a bit of a Super Bowl "hangover," combined with a whirlwind of an offseason that included hold-outs and contractual controversies, head coach Kyle Shanahan's squad responded with a 32-19 demolition of the New York Jets to wrap up Week 1 on Monday Night Football.
The Niners were dominant in all three phases of the game, including a 147-yard rushing effort from backup running back Jordan Mason, who got the spot start over All-Pro Christian McCaffrey (calf, Achilles), who was a late scratch.
Meanwhile, San Francisco's defense held quarterback Aaron Rodgers in check while keeping running back Breece Hall from making a substantial impact, and kicker Jake Moody outscored 10 other teams across the league himself by netting 18 of his team's 32 points.
That's a convincing win.
The 49ers should be right near the top of NFL power rankings around the league. But, while FanSided's Week 2 power rankings maintain this thought, the Niners are probably ranked a little lower than one might expect and not even at the top within their own conference.
FanSided's Week 2 NFL power rankings have 49ers at No. 3
The Super Bowl-champion Kansas City Chiefs retained the top spot in Week 2's power rankings, which isn't a shocker after their thrilling Thursday night victory over the rival Baltimore Ravens.
Most would think San Francisco would come in at No. 2, but FanSided put the team it beat in the NFC Championship game last season, the Detroit Lions, in that spot.
Granted, Detroit scraped out a 26-20 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Rams to start the year. But the 49ers had the far more commanding win, one against a potential Super Bowl contender with a fully healthy Rodgers at the helm.
Instead, the Niners enter Week 2 in the No. 3 spot in power rankings, which seems like a small slight.
If San Francisco takes to the road and beats the Minnesota Vikings on a short week in Week 2, perhaps that'll be convincing enough to climb a spot.
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