Week 11 NFL Power Rankings and the 49ers

by David Fucillo on Nov 27, 2009 10:00 AM PST in San Francisco 49ers News

Things are evening out in the rankings, even with the 49ers loss. We're one short this week (The Big Lead), so we're going after the jump right after the ESPN rankings. We've been submitting power rankings for SB Nation and I actually voted the 49ers 20th this week and last week. Last week's average ranking was 18, and this week the 49ers fell to 20th. Speaking of rankings, here is the current draft order (excluding yesterday's games). The 49ers are two spots ahead of the Panthers and would currently have the 11th and 13th picks.

ESPN - #20 (19) - Alex Smith has shown he can throw touchdown passes when his team is trailing by a wide margin. He needs to start faster.

Arizona - #5 (7)
Seattle - #25 (25)
St. Louis - #31 (30)

Fox Sports - #22 (22) - Like the Jets, the Niners are skidding after a fast start to the season. To their credit, five of their six losses have come vs. teams at .500 or better ... so they're not losing to garbage teams, and they've normally stayed in the game (five of their six losses by a TD or less).

Arizona - #11 (11)
Seattle - #25 (24)
St. Louis - #29 (29)

CBS Sports - #23 (23) - They can forget the playoffs now. The rest of the season is about finding out if Alex Smith is the long-term answer at quarterback.

Arizona - #8 (10)
Seattle - #25 (24)
St. Louis - #30 (29)

Pro Football Talk (via NBCSports.com) - #22 (19) - Even with five losses in six games, the Niners still have a realistic shot at finishing 9-7, given their schedule. But something tells us they won't.

Arizona - #6 (7)
Seattle - #28 (27)
St. Louis - #30 (30)

NFL.com (Brandt) - #23 (20)

Arizona - #6 (8)
Seattle - #24 (25)
St. Louis - #30 (29)

NFL.com (Brooks) - #21 (21)

Arizona - #8 (9)
Seattle - #26 (26)
St. Louis - #31 (28)

NFL.com (Carucci) - #22 (22)

Arizona - #6 (8)
Seattle - #23 (21)
St. Louis - #30 (28)

WhatIfSports.com - #15 (13)

Arizona - #9 (12)
Seattle - #26 (23)
St. Louis - #25 (24)

Average 49ers Ranking: 21.00 (19.89)
Average Cardinals Ranking: 7.38 (9.00)
Average Seahawks Ranking: 25.25 (24.33)
Average Rams Ranking: 29.50 (28.44)

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Comments

Alex Smith has shown he can throw touchdown passes when his team is trailing by a wide margin. He needs to start faster.

While I agree, how about if Frank Gore’s first carry goes for 42 yards, he should receive just 8 carries through out the remainder of the game. Smith needs to get it going fast, but if Gore is starting faster, there’s no reason to abandon the run.

by Andrew Davidson on Nov 27, 2009 10:37 AM PST reply actions

ESPN can pin...

the slow starts just on Alex Smith. They started slow from the beginning of the season with Hill too.

Well, we're waiting....

by drummer on Nov 27, 2009 10:54 AM PST up reply actions

*can't

Well, we're waiting....

by drummer on Nov 27, 2009 10:55 AM PST up reply actions

So it should be ok?

Or offense is slow due to the fact that Smith is only strong out of a spread offense. We don’t have a blend of plays and formations due to this fact so it’s hard to work the run when the playfake doesn’t work and since our OL doesn’t protect well when our QB is under center, which can also be laid at the OC’s feet, I’m still wondering why we use the 7 step drop from under center with this OL.

"Optimist Prime"
Haden and Berry 1st round?

by rlott#42 on Nov 27, 2009 11:58 AM PST up reply actions

by Tony C on Nov 27, 2009 5:52 PM PST up reply actions

He runs forward because the pocket collapses.

If he threw it away, everyone would be mad at him for not making a play. If your line sucks, they suck. If your sucky line is hurt, your line sucks even more.

by goatfather on Nov 27, 2009 6:26 PM PST up reply actions