Week 1 NFL Power Rankings and the 49ers: Woo....Hoo....
by David Fucillo on Sep 16, 2009 1:00 PM PDT
in San Francisco 49ers News
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PrintAlright, let's be honest, coming up with an individual set of power rankings is not exactly an exact science. For most power rankings, you're talking about people voting in a very subjective manner. There's nothing wrong with that, but it's something to keep in mind when assessing these power rankings.
Given the abundance of power rankings on the Internet, I thought it would be fun each week to take a look at what the power rankings are saying about the 49ers. While they might not be scientific, an accumulation of them can at least give us an idea of what folks across the country are thinking about the 49ers. I appreciate diehardoaklandfan22's complete power rankings, but for the purposes of this post, I'm just looking at where the 49ers are. The early rankings are likely to be rather skewed given the small sample size, but it's still worth checking them out.
So, after the jump I'll include a link to the ranking, the current ranking, and the little comment that often comes with the ranking (although not all have comments). Of all the rankings, some might argue The Big Lead is the least "reliable." I included them because I know they watch a whole ton of football, so what makes them any less qualified than a Sports Illustrated columnist? Of course, if that's the argument, what's to stop us from including every single Bleacher Report power ranking out there? I suppose it's just the knowledge I have of The Big Lead, versus some random schmoe.
Feel free to comment on the rankings, but also, post links to other power rankings that you think might be appropriate. I'll add any good suggestions to the weekly post.
ESPN - #18 - Greg Manusky's defense has a chance to rank among the NFL's best this season -- with a little more help from the offense. No style points for this team. (Sando)
Sports Illustrated - #16 - Having 203 yards of offense, just 13 first downs and 21 yards on the ground won't get it done against too many opponents, but the 49ers defense was good enough to make those meager numbers work at Arizona. Step two in San Francisco's return to relevance would be a similar showing this week at home against division rival Seattle. A 2-0 start in the NFC West and we're going to have to take Mike Singletary's club for real.
The Big Lead - #17 - So, the 49er defense, led by the best all-around linebacker in football, went into Arizona and knocked the Cardinals’ decrepit QB around for four quarters, waiting for Shaun Hill to lead them to victory. And, shockingly enough, he did. The 49ers have the look of one of those surprise 11-5 teams.
Fox Sports - #17 - GLASS HALF FULL: How 'bout them Niners! This Mike Singletary experiment seems to be working, as his team is playing with snot flying out of their noses (in football, that's a compliment) with a young, swarming defense.
CBS Sports - #14 - Maybe they're better than expected. That defense did a nice job against Arizona. Shaun Hill is a game manager, but at some point he's going to have to win games. We'll see.
NFL.com (Brandt) - #14
NFL.com (Brooks) - #15
NFL.com (Carucci) - #9
NBC Sports - #18 - Behind Mike Singletary, this team is no longer a soft touch. A win Sunday would put them atop the NFC West
WhatIfSports.com - #18
Average Ranking: 15.6
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C'mon Fooch, put up the rest of the NFC West as well, I'm too lazy to look them up.
I think a big part of the rankings depends on how good the rankers thought Arizona was going to be. If they think they overperformed last year and are headed for a big down year, then the win doesn’t look as important. If they think the Cardinals are in contention to go to the super bowl again, then winning on their turf is a big achievement.
will do
Next week I’ll start showing the other teams as well.
by David Fucillo on Sep 16, 2009 1:57 PM PDT up reply actions
just the other divisional teams
Not everybody.
by David Fucillo on Sep 16, 2009 6:13 PM PDT up reply actions
I was just giving you a hard time,
but thanks for offering.
You should just leave the Rams out. I don’t think anyone (Seahawks fans, Cardinals fans, and 9ers fans) care if they’re ranked 32nd or 28th.
Bleacher Report by Jordan Schwartz
1. Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0)
2. Philadelphia Eagles (1-0)
3. Baltimore Ravens (1-0)
4. New York Giants (1-0)
5. Tennessee Titans (0-1)
6. Indianapolis Colts (1-0)
7. Minnesota Vikings (1-0)
8. New Orleans Saints (1-0)
9. Atlanta Falcons (1-0)
10. San Diego Chargers (1-0)
11. Dallas Cowboys (1-0)
12. New England (1-0)
13. Buffalo Bills (0-1)
14. San Francisco 49ers (1-0)
15. Arizona Cardinals (0-1)
16. Green Bay Packers (1-0)
17. Chicago Bears (0-1)
18. New York Jets (1-0)
19. Seattle Seahawks (1-0)
20. Carolina Panthers (0-1)
21. Miami Dolphins (0-1)
22. Washington Redskins (0-1)
23. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-1)
24. Denver Broncos (1-0)
25. Cincinnati Bengals (0-1)
26. Oakland Raiders (0-1)
27. Tampa Bay Bucs (0-1)
28. Houston Texans (0-1)
29. Cleveland Browns (0-1)
30. Kansas City Chiefs (0-1)
31. St. Louis Rams (0-1)
32. Detroit Lions (0-1)
Okay, I don’t totally agree with a few of this guys picks, but niceto see some respect coming to the niners!
..
pats at #12? Hahahahahah worst power ranking i ever seen… pats win the super bowl this year
by forty9ers3298 on Sep 16, 2009 1:46 PM PDT up reply actions
Why's that the worst?
The Pats defense looked awful. They barely won at home against a below average (supposedly, time will tell) Buffalo team. They should have lost if McKelvin didn’t try to get a few extra yards.
It’s not my power rankings, and apparently not yours, but it just depends on how much weight you put on the first game of the season as opposed to previous seasons or expectations for this season.
Yeah, the Pats should be higher, and the Chargers should be lower. The Chargers are a bit banged up on the O-line, as well is Tomlinson with that “tweaked” ankle.
I can’t believe they have the Niners above the Cardinals and Seahawks… awesome.
Tomlinson's ankle...
…is a really good excuse to play the more effective Darren Sproles.
Never use a big word where a diminutive alternative would suffice.
Sproles wasn't to effective last week, not til he got that td
I just think Tomlinson is a….kitty cat. Sorry they keep sending me demerits for cussing, haha.
I just meant...
….more effective than Tomlinson.
Never use a big word where a diminutive alternative would suffice.
49ers at #9?
That is a little over the top don’t you think? I would put them anywhere between 14 and 17. There does remain a possibility the 49ers can break into the top 10. But in order to do so they would have to beat Seattle and Minnesota in the next two weeks. Then i would say they deserve to be in the top 10. My Rankings
1. Pittsburgh
2. New England
3. Pittsburgh
4. New York Giants
5. Tennessee
6. Baltimore
7. San Diego
8. Minnesota
9. Dallas
10. Indianapolis
11. Atlanta
12. New Orleans
13. Chicago
14. San Francisco
15. Buffalo
I am not goint to do the entire rankings but just the top 15 and bottom 5
32. Detroit
31. St. Louis
30. Cleveland
29. Kansas City
28. Carolina
by nocal81(Vincent) on Sep 16, 2009 1:41 PM PDT reply actions
Needs to fix their O-line problems
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
by SportsChicken on Sep 16, 2009 2:39 PM PDT up reply actions
LOL
I mean Green Bay not Chicago. The Bears are in the late teens according to my ratings due to them being without Urlacher and Cutler blowing up. That team has issues. This is also why i don’t have the Packers and higher. My bad on the error.
by nocal81(Vincent) on Sep 16, 2009 3:55 PM PDT up reply actions
I thought so to (about #9)
I guess that writer is going with where he sees them going as opposed to where the currently fit amongst all teams, from what we thus far know. It certainly says he feels optimistic about the current season.
I agree with the S.I. assessment. A win vs Seattle not only puts us up early in the division but will help with tie breakers late in the year and begin gathering some national attention and respect now.
You gotta bring ass to get ass.
CBS Sports
“CBS Sports: Shaun Hill is a game manager, but at some point he’s going to have to win games.”
What planet is this guy from? Hill is 8-3 as a starter and he won this week.
Maybe he traveled back in time and is thinking of Alex Smith?
Having to win a game
They’re saying that in some games he’ll have to step up and make plays. He made some solid plays on that final scoring drive, but I think the play-calling put him in a position to make plays. I’m guessing that comment is him needing in some game to make more down-field plays.
by David Fucillo on Sep 16, 2009 1:58 PM PDT up reply actions
Not just the down-field plays, but the short passes out to running backs towards the sidelines. I saw a couple Sunday, and a few during the preseason that should have been passes a monkey can make, and he threw it 5 feet in front of the receiver. I think that and even the down-field plays are just lack of game time experience. The long throws are about timing, and I thought there were a couple real nicely placed passes that were just beyond the receiver.
The run game has to be more effective for them to be able to take more shots down the field… and if it was more effective, the score might have been a little higher. The first two scores were off of field goals.
Also, to refer back to that CBS Sports quote, I think the win had a lot to do with the Cardinals not being as disciplined as the 49ers. How many penalties did they have? It killed a lot of their drives on offense, and on defense it helped the niners a little too.
Hill
Pretty much all Hill does is make plays when it counts. 3rd downs on scoring drives to take the leads, getting those TDs to go ahead, thats what he does as a QB, and thats pretty much it. I dont like the term “Game manager” because I think its just a term invented to not give some QBs credit for being good QBs. So far as a starter Hill has looked like crap 60 percent of the time and like Gold the other third, and it so happens that third has been when it counts. So if you live by the addage “Good players make good plays when it matters” than like him or not, Hill is a good player. He wins close games. Now can he come back form a big deficite? Not sure about that one yet. Just my opinion, but thats how I see it. Ill take the guy who throws for 30 yards all game til its time to get the winning score and then gets those points than the guy who throws for 300 yards and then tosses an INT when it matters. You want that guy go be a Cowboys fan, they got a guy like that, and Ill take ours.
which guy whould you take
A. throws 2 TDs in the 1st half and an INT in the final minutes
B. throws 2 INTs in the 1st half and a TD in the final minutes
I take A
A is the one that helped put the team in a chance to win
B did not have a positive impact on his team, they won despite him
If you arguing you’d rather have Hill than Romo youre crazy
go rowand
by lincypoo i wuv u on Sep 17, 2009 1:20 AM PDT up reply actions
This would not be the first time....
…Ive been called crazy, but you seem (key word ‘seem’) to misunderstand my argument. Hill, in the moments hes had to perform under pressure and in close situations, has. A chance to win doesn’t mean anything if you cant come through, ask the Bills and Raiders. Romo has been in those key moments, in regular season and the playoffs, and when the pressure comes on to win he hasn’t been able to do it. To answer your question directly, yes, if you ask me to choose Romo or Hill, Im taking Hill. Unless its fantasy football. In the times has been in there, Hill has proven himself a good redzone QB, and good in close game situations, he performs better when things get under more pressure. Yes, he will occasionally bounce pass a 5 yard swing route to a halfback on 1st and 10, and yes, I wish he wouldnt.
Now, your illustration of a QB who throws picks and then a TD or the other way around, thats now what I meant. Turnovers always kill you, though Hill doesn’t really many of em. I said Ill take the guy who produces less yards, less flashy production, as long as he performs when it matters. So far, Hill does perform when it matters (and only when it matters so far). So Ill take that guy. Can he win the game on his own with a brilliant 300 yard, 4 td performance? Doubt it. Yeah, Romo can do that. Hell smile and look real pretty when he does. Give me the guy whos gonna throw that ball on 4th down in the end zone and make it, the guy who will will a duck into a recievers hands to convert third. Ill take that guy each time. Hill cant win games on his own, or if he can he sure hasnt, good thing for us its a team game then. Hey, Ill say it right here, if I were a betting man Id bet it. Hill makes a game winning drive in a playoff game to win it before Romo does. Quote me on that. Guess all Im sayin is Ill take the guy who wins the big games ugly than the one who will win the easy ones pretty.
As Fooch said, you can win a game, but not be the cause of the win.
Sure he’s a good part of what the 9ers did last season, but winning a game refers to having a last second TD drive or scoring some TDs after the other team takes an early lead.
I didn’t watch the 2nd half the 9ers season last year, so I have no idea if he did that or not, but I’m pretty sure that the national columnist who wrote that also did not watch the 9ers last season.
I don’t think it has to be last second scoring drive, rather than having a few of them be 4th quarter scoring drives to take the lead, as well as have some games where you just put the other team away by scoring 35+ points.
He did come back and score the final TD in the 4th quarter, which was nice to see… but lets have a couple victories that aren’t nail biters.
Are you guys paying attention?
Hill was strictly relagated on his passing the first 3 quarters. The coaching finally realized that the run-game (and dump off passes) would not cut it and THEN let Hill be Hill. And those that think Snyder is all to blame, re-watch the game and see how much the rest of the line (especially Baas) messed up every run play.
PS...
Speaking of dump off passes…Gore was open in the flats twice before the coaches finally called a time out; Hill then hit him in the flats for the game-winnning TD the next play.
Here Here to more screen plays keeping the defenses honest (and Hill not under-throwing them…ala Smith)
Meaningless at this point.
15 or 16 sounds about right because we still have big problems on offence. But the Week 1 power ranking are a joke. SI says NE Pats are No. 1. Were they watching the same game I was? We have to wait a few weeks for the experts to stop trying to justify their foolish rankings before the season.
My TOP 12 then 15
First of all why is the Steelers on every ones 1?? The lost the best saftey in the league and i know you saw there secondary get eatin up by the titans passing game after he went down and thats when the titans couldnt run the ball and on top of the Justin Gage come on now the steelers and in big trouble and Troy P. was a great run stopper the lost alot on D. and for that they drop down on my top 10 ..
1. Baltimore Ravens—- they wont give up 24 points many times this year but if the O continues to put up numbers like that wich i think it can they will be my number one till proven other wise.
2. Minnesota Vikings— would be my number 1 if they had this preformance against a quality opponet none the less A.P is a beast and Farve has some weapons out side can he put them to good use is the ? to be told…
3.Pittsburgh Steelers— yes the beat a good titans team but at what cost?? I dont like the sacks Ben takes against a non blitzing 4 man rush team.. and he makes to many mistakes for my taste i dont think they can beat the Ravens this year sorry. Who’s the RB?? Hollow Man..
4. Philadephia Eagles— Dont know if defense can do that again but if they can watch out great pass rush = turnovers on the back end (9ers fans Yay lol) wich is what they did to carolina. that was not Jakes fault brady would have been on the bench again for a year behind that o-lines preformence… but the could also be on the downfall if mcnabb cant stay healthy garcia is a good add tho but honestly he’s no mcnabb..
5. New Orlean Saints— This is actually my preseason super bowl pick we will see how that goes. Brees = MVP plain and simple and what Bell did is no fluke he could be in a starting rotation on a lot of teams can he stay health though, well see… i would like the defense to play better then what it did but when you have Brees scoring in 3 mins. every drive your defense is gonna give up alittle bit of points but still would have them higher if it was a better team they were faceing…
6.New England Patriots— there is something about this team you can never count them out no matter how much times left.. but i think they need alittle more from the run game just to open things up abit 50+ passes from Brady geez you cant mix it up just a little lol .. Defense stepped up when it had to.. not much to say same old Pats
.
7New York Jets— Damned jets i was hoping the niners would get Mark now we are stuck with this sucker who thinks hes bigger then the game.. i loved crabtree at one time now i hope he NEVER wears the retro niners uni’s dont get me started ….
8.New York Giants… average O decent D cant that when a chapionship this year dont know better step its up but still a solid wen agaisnt a solid team.. Giants are second half of the year team so im sure they will play better.
9.Tennesee Titans— lost against the superbowl champs in the house by three points not much more you can ask for i dont even see it as a loss but running game needs to step it up or these titans are going DOWN.
10. Colts— solid win same old colts they will move up the charts as they start heating up but i bet they regret drop E. james.
11. San Diego Chargers— Good come back win but what the hell was LT on the side lines for at the end of the game come on man you on my fantasy football team i needed that TD.. The raiders are underated not a play off team but underated … good D and the offence on the come up it pains me to say this about the raiders but they made it a great game to watch you have to admit..
12. Dallas— now dallas they are lucky to grab this spot very lucky.. all that talent on defense and the Bucks ran the ball down there throats that defense is BAD they are gonna have a long year in that division . They really should have lost every touchdown they have was do to horrible saftey coverage breakdown by the young kid on the bucks my wife could had hit them in stide for touchdowns and i mean that the cowboys are luck but they wont be for long the have just be exposed this was the worst win in the league in my oppinon
15.San Fran— that had to be the worst offensive play calling i have seen i a while it was just bad i hope they fix what ever they think there doing this is not the 8th grade football .. defense was great i new the pass rush would be fine.. if the play call gets better we will be moving up fast in not i suggest a cordinator be fired thats how bad i think that showing was how do you expect to run the ball up the middle every time against 8 and 9 man run blitz have you heard of a damn screan at least geez …
well thats my rankings tell me what you think
I like Baltimore as well,
but their defense gave up 24 points (17 if you ignore the blocked punt) to KC that had it’s #1 and #2 QBs injured. But still, Brody Croyle @ BAL should not be scoring 17. Maybe it’s just me, but I put KC down there with STL, DET, and CLE.
Why is it that our offensive play calling frustrates us almost every year?
go rowand
by lincypoo i wuv u on Sep 17, 2009 1:23 AM PDT up reply actions
not a power ranking per se
but FO has us at 21st
FIRE BRIAN SABEAN... UNLESS HE KEEPS DRAFTING WELL. .. AND SIGNS UNDERRATED PLAYERS LIKE AFFELDT OR PHELPS. .. OR ALRIGHT WHO'S PLAYING WITH THE ALIEN MIND-SWITCHING RAY?
-------
PARPG- Indy post-apocalyptic roleplaying game currently in early planning stages.
To early to say...But
Hey I am a die hard (which has been heartbreaking the last few years) like most of you. Realisticlly I see this as a strong 10-6 team, which could win the West. They could end the season in the the top 10 and be a force next year (especially with 2 first round picks,**side notes, lets all pray that we dont get another Crabbycakes).
Bottom line here, while the Pats didn’t look great against the Bills they are still at the top. I think that Pitt is vulnerable and the Ravens are better. But all those teams live in the AFC. You could make the case that N.O. is the top of the NFC or even the Vikes but I am not sure of either. The Saints have the Greatest Show in the Dome but they will have to keep putting up 35 to 40 a game, there D gave up 27 to the Lions! I know high school teams that wouldnt give up that. The Vikes, I am not sure that Farve has a full season left in the tank, even with sitting out the preseason and camp. I still respect him but he even said himself he was not sure if he could go the entire season. And it wont take long for D’s to slow down the run or the pass. Barry Sanders was ahead of his time as is Peterson, but not even Sanders could carry his team year in a year out. Philly might as well start working towards a draft pick if McNabb is out for any time. They will need a QB of the Future. Vick is not the guy, Garcia is better but at 38+ how much can he really do. Vick would have been better in Miami where the Wildcat is used a little more. He has never been very accurate and he makes horrible dissisions down field. He may let plays develope a little better now that he may have lost a step but he is still the same old Vick.
So for the NFC I like Atlanta and Greenbay over NY. GB addressed the D, and have a fantasic QB (how should be wearing Red and Gold! DAMN YOU NOLAN!!!!!) and ATL has a lot of pieces, such as a good young playmaking QB. NY lets face it. This Manning is not Peyton, he really doesnt have many weapons, and there D is average at best. Lets rewind a few years if whats-his-name (who was released this year) doesnt catch that ball of his helmet the Pats have 4 rings and the Giants are just another playoff team. Eli doesnt get that huge contract and maybe Burriss doesnt try and run up some stairs at a New York nightclub with a loaded gun (wait he probably would have done that anyway).
After all of this I still have faith that the NFC West can be won by a 10-6 team. My west standings look like this:
1. 49ers 10-6
2. Seattle 9-7
3. Arizona 8-8
4. St. Louis (does it really matter) 5-11
Niners play the Vikes at home 1st playoff weekend and win 24-21.
Niners play in Atlanta second playoff weekend and lose 27-24.
Atlanta V. Greenbay- Atlanta advances to play New England
New England 35-27 over Atlanta.
Atlanta? Bold. As for the NFC West, I’m too on the fence to say any more than all 3 of these teams being 8-8 atop the division
go rowand
by lincypoo i wuv u on Sep 17, 2009 1:25 AM PDT up reply actions
I dont like...
….to make predictions on the season and all that, I like to see how it goes, but hey, since you didnt ask….I think thats ludicrous. No way were losing to Atlanta in the playoffs, hehe. As for our chances this year, Ill say this. This team is built to win close, hard fought, physical games. To keep em close, and win in the second half. As long as we dont get blown out in the first half of any given game, theres an excellent chance to win. That kind of football tends to win out in the 2nd half of seasons, and it wins in the playoffs. Proven. So dont sell us short. This team could go 5-11. It could just as likely win the Super Bowl. It all depends on how our players make plays when they need to, and the bounces of a few balls. I dont know how itll turn out, but Im excited to watch it.
As Charly Brown would say "..good grief.."
Does any body really care how some ding dong rates the Niners!!!! I know that all of us would like to see the Niners in big print “Dynasty” but first we have to win game numer two. This is not a small thing… but here we go…."
If they win Sunday
They will certainly deserve to be in the top 15. A win AT Minny would warrant a serious consideration for top 10. I cant believe we are actually getting some love from the press. Somebody pinch me I must be dreaming!!
Another year, another chance to hope for the team !!
unfotunately it will take most of the year to earn respect
they will make up rational like….. wek division…. Favre had 5 turn overs to the 9ers Def due to ols age and lack of chemistry….. I can see it all now
It is a weak division. Didn’t stop the Cards from almost winning it all. To earn respect we have to well… earn it! By beating quality teams on the road and whatnot. 10-6 = respect. I don’t see it but I’m cautiously optimistic. Again.
go rowand
by lincypoo i wuv u on Sep 17, 2009 1:28 AM PDT up reply actions
Shouldn't they be...
in a 16 way tie for 1st place since 16 teams won and 16 teams lost?
Yup, the Broncos are better than the Titans now!
go rowand
by lincypoo i wuv u on Sep 17, 2009 1:29 AM PDT up reply actions
CAROLINAS OBVIOUSLY GONNA HAVE A BAD YEAR THANKS TO DELHOMME SO WE SHOULD GET A TOP 10 PICK. WE NEED ANOTHER PASS RUSHER WITH CAROLINAS PICK AND THEN WE SHOULD DRAFT A SAFETY. 2ND ROUND WE NEED TO BULK UP THE O-LINE. SIGN CRABTREE WE NEED A PLAYMAKER LIKE HIM AND BRUCE IS GOING INTO HIS LAST YEAR. DEVELOP DAVIS AND KEEP HILL FOR ANOTHER YEAR. WE’LL BE SORTED AFTER THAT
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