It's always interesting to see how power rankings shape up after a team's bye week. The prior week win or loss is allowed to marinate and the bye week games certainly can have an impact. This week's composite rankings reflect some of that marinating. The 49ers actually moved up on average from 14.78 to 14.22. We'll call it the Crabtree/Gore effect. On the other hand, the Cardinals road win over Seattle caused them to skyrocket. They jumped 5 spots from 18.11 to 13.11.
One particular ranking though jumps out as proof of how little "experts" sometimes know. Or maybe it's more like how much they actually care. NFL.com has three "experts" who provide their rankings. Vic Carucci moved up Arizona as would be expected following their win. However, Seattle losing at home resulted in them actually staying in the same rank the last two weeks. I realize these are just subjective power rankings, but that strikes me as either lazy or idiocy. I'm not sure which, but I'd imagine Mr. Carucci doesn't want either.
ESPN - # (15) - Desperate for offense, the 49ers are moving rookie WR Michael Crabtree into the starting lineup against Houston.
- Arizona - # (19)
- Seattle - # (20)
- St. Louis - # (32)
The Big Lead - #17 (14) - The Niners sat home Sunday and watched the Titans’ debacle against the Patriots, breathing a sigh of relief as they ceded the distinction of worst 2009 collective team effort. And then this movie came on and they felt like (site decorum) again.
- Arizona - #13 (18)
- Seattle - #23 (21)
- St. Louis - #30 (32)
Fox Sports - #12 (14) - RPI UPDATE: On one hand, the Niners have showed up well by winning at Arizona, stomping Seattle and coming a Brett Favre miracle from winning at Minny. But they are 3-0 vs. the NFC West, and 0-2 outside what has been the league's worst division the past few years.
- Arizona - #18 (19)
- Seattle - #20 (20)
- St. Louis - #30 (32)
CBS Sports - #17 (16) - They will finally have Michael Crabtree this week. With the way Shaun Hill plays, it might not matter. Is Alex Smith coming soon?
- Arizona - #13 (17)
- Seattle - #23 (20)
- St. Louis - #31 (32)
Pro Football Talk (via NBCSports.com) - #14 (15) - Suddenly, the Niners have company at the top of the division they supposedly had locked up in September.
- Arizona - #16 (20)
- Seattle - #23 (19)
- St. Louis - #31 (32)
NFL.com (Brandt) - #15 (16)
- Arizona - #10 (17)
- Seattle - #24 (19)
- St. Louis - #31 (32)
NFL.com (Brooks) - #12 (15)
- Arizona - #13 (18)
- Seattle - #23 (20)
- St. Louis - #32 (32)
NFL.com (Carucci) - #15 (15)
- Arizona - #10 (17)
- Seattle - #21 (21)
- St. Louis - #30 (32)
WhatIfSports.com - #11 (13)
- Arizona - #9 (18)
- Seattle - #21 (15)
- St. Louis - #29 (32)
Average 49ers Ranking: 14.22 (14.78)
Average Cardinals Ranking: 13.11 (18.11)
Average Seahawks Ranking: 22.33 (19.44)
Average Rams Ranking: 30.67 (32.00)