NFL Power Rankings: Does ESPN Overrate, Underrate, Or Rate The 49ers?

by David Fucillo on Sep 28, 2011 6:30 AM PDT in San Francisco 49ers News

ESPN put together their weekly NFL power rankings and had the 49ers ranked No. 20. For the most part the 49ers have been right around 20, with their highest ranking (#18) likely coming in my personal power rankings at SB Nation Bay Area.

Chris Sprow from ESPN has started a weekly series in which he looks at ESPN's power rankings and tries to determine whether certain teams are underrated or overrated. He uses the power rankings, AccuScore's projections and Super Bowl odds from the Hilton in Las Vegas. From this he comes up with three overrated teams and three underrated teams throughout the NFL.

Following week three, our 49ers are listed in the underrated column along with the Raiders and Steelers. For the 49ers, he thinks a more fitting rank is No. 16. The problem with that is that part of his discussion is the fact that the NFC West is so weak this year and the 49ers have an opportunity to potentially dominate it (if things come together appropriately).

Based simply on that, I would argue that for now the 49ers are rated just about right. I wouldn't say "They are who we thought they are" because we still don't really know enough about this 49ers team. I've seen some comments saying this team is awful and might as well tank the season. I've also seen folks who are ready to buy their playoff tickets.

It really is all over the place at this point. This team will really make their bones in the second half of the season. Five of the final eight games are against NFC West opponents. While that does leave the next five games as a chance to make a statement, the 49ers simply need to tread water heading into the second half of the season. Going 0-5 the rest of the first half is not going to help them, but they don't necessarily need to dominate the coming stretch of games. It really is an odd sensation for a team, but one truly befitting the NFC West.

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19

For now I’d say that most of these teams should be ranked higher than us with the exception of the redskins. I don’t believe grossman will be starting the whole season, alex smith has been more effective and accurate this season which gives him a slighted edge over grossman. If we get better o-line play then there is no reason we shouldn’t be ranked higher.

by ninersince94 on Sep 28, 2011 7:04 AM PDT via mobile reply actions

49ers are under-performing

Their play does not equal the individual quality of the players. I think the coaching has to step up and raise the level of play.

by scrappydog on Sep 28, 2011 7:21 AM PDT reply actions

I'd say 20 is about right

We have not played well enough at this point to be considered a 10-15 rating. We are honestly very lucky to be 2-1. We could be 3-0 but we could just as easily have been 0-3. Too early still to decide for this fan.

by renke81 on Sep 28, 2011 7:31 AM PDT reply actions

I really don't mind

I just want us to get on a good streak and play better. If we play a complete game in Philly that will make my weekend.

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by chriscream on Sep 28, 2011 7:32 AM PDT reply actions

I'd say it's about right....

While we’re not in your typical “rebuilding” phase, we are rebuilding to an extent and that takes time. Seahawks took advantage of a weak division in their initial rebuild year and got some decent play here and there from Hass, so they made the playoffs; but look at them now….. pretty sorry.

Even if we win the division at 8-8 or 9-7, we’ll still only be ranked as about the 15th best team in the league at week 17; and that’s with a guaranteed home playoff game. Patience, and then next year we should be able to remain competitive throughout the year.

by 9thevolution on Sep 28, 2011 7:36 AM PDT reply actions

I don't have a problem with the current ranking

I think the Niners have a much higher potential, but they simply aren’t there yet.

They may continue to have some early season ugly wins, but I’ll take them. If they can scratch out wins early and continue to improve execution, they could very competitve at the end of the season. While I am not saying “Super Bowl” competive, I’d love to see them make the playoffs and make a little noise (ie, play tough) once there.

by ColoradoNiner on Sep 28, 2011 7:46 AM PDT reply actions

+1

That is what I feel also.

by Beamer1960 on Sep 28, 2011 8:59 AM PDT up reply actions

right on the money

this is definitely an improving team, and regardless of the current ranking, it should always have an ‘arrow-up’ attached to it.

i forgot where i heard it, but someone was analyzing the VD cross-field catch and run to set up last week’s GW touchdown. The analyst talked about how the niners had been using their playcalling in the first 2 weeks to set up that play. That’s awesome! What we see as conservative playcalling is essentially ‘in-game’ offensive installation. It’s the same reason we don’t see KW or Kendall more often. The coaching staff is building it’s base, and from that they start to add the wrinkles.

Execution first. Elaboration second. Patience always!

by t p on Sep 28, 2011 10:58 AM PDT up reply actions

I kinda of get a feeling that, although we aren't great, we can stay in any game and at least keep it close...time will tell

by Coretete on Sep 28, 2011 8:10 AM PDT reply actions

We're underrated

But we’ve lived up to expectations so far.

We can force people to take notice by passing the ball well against the much hyped Philly defense on Sunday.

by Ougadas on Sep 28, 2011 8:52 AM PDT reply actions

Our passing D isn't that bad.

We are ranked 12th in yards per attempt.

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by manraj7 on Sep 28, 2011 11:09 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions

D has been keeping us in it

Eventually we have to take some hints from the offenses around the league that are scoring points — spread it out and open it up.

by Ougadas on Sep 28, 2011 11:19 AM PDT up reply actions

Ummmm

" I’ve seen some comments saying this team is awful and might as well tank the season. I’ve also seen folks who are ready to buy their playoff tickets."

This team could be awful, AND we could all still be buying playoff tickets!

by BruinMW on Sep 28, 2011 8:59 AM PDT reply actions

good point

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by David Fucillo on Sep 28, 2011 10:16 AM PDT up reply actions

Rankings are soo stupid in this case

Is there really a significant difference between #16 and #20? They are certainly not a top 10 or bottom 5 team. So they are somewhere between 11-25, more likely between 14-22.

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by zenbitz on Sep 28, 2011 12:55 PM PDT reply actions

16 means we all get a stuffed clown and 20 means we have to scoop horse manure from behind the cotton-candy machine

There's no column for "Ugly Win", just "Win"
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by Tre9er on Sep 28, 2011 1:04 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

I haven't seen much improvement from this year to last year.

we been the same except for the rushing side, were we suck. Granted the rushing defense has been great, but it was last year and the secondary has been fair, so far. Smith has be decent but he hasn’t torn up the NFL stats as of yet. Where that’s due is to smith or Harburgh, it hasn’t been dertermined. Harburgh had no choice but to keep Smith since he was the most experience QB he had on the Squad. Wouldn’t you ? So far, I wouldn’t rate the many more than where they there at. Tthis weekend staying on the east coast. may be a blessing . But they going against the Philly and you cann’t out Vick. He may may have a easy time of it. There Philly running game is 2 nd in the NFL and it may prove to be the different. I would watch out for this game with a 7 pt plus for the Niners.

by LASVEGASNINER on Sep 28, 2011 7:14 PM PDT reply actions