It feels like a month ago when the San Francisco 49ers beat Washington. It’s been three days. A 9-0 victory didn’t impress the media, despite the conditions. That caused the Niners to drop one spot in the NFL’s latest Power Rankings. Here’s what they had to say about San Francisco:
Previous rank: No. 2
It will be one of the most indelible images of this 49ers season: Nick Bosa, clinching another win for the 49ers with a sack, then kicking off a celebration with a FedExField Slip ‘N Slide. The fast and loose 49ers are 6-0 for the first time since 1990 and have now held opponents scoreless over their last 18 possessions. The driving rain and wind gusts made this an impossible setup for Jimmy Garoppolo and the Niners offense to make a significant impact, so the defense handled most of the business. The biggest play on Sunday was made by linebacker Kwon Alexander, who ended Washington’s last real scoring threat by stripping Adrian Peterson of the football for a turnover. Robbie Gould was the hero on offense, kicking three short field goals to account for all the scoring. This was a game where no style points were necessary.
That was pretty awesome seeing the players slide across the field once the clock struck zero. I can’t say I’ve seen anything like that. At least the author acknowledges how difficult the weather made it on the 49ers offense. Kwon was great. If you told me Alexander would have one bad game out of six to start the season, I probably wouldn’t have believed you.
This could have easily been a game where a few bounces didn’t go San Francisco’s way, and they lost. That didn’t happen, and the team is 6-0.
Washington stayed put at No. 31 after being shut out at home. I wonder when they play Dwayne Haskins. After the bye week?
As for the rest of the NFC West, the Cardinals are up to two spots to No. 25 after winning their third game in a row. Arizona’s next two games are against New Orleans, and then they play San Francisco at home on a short week. So we’ll find out real quick if Kliff and Kyler are for real.
The Rams played an opponent that was just what the doctor ordered — the hopeless Falcons. Los Angeles has the Bengals this coming week, as well. They climbed two spots to No. 14.
Finally, the Seahawks moved down one spot to No. 6 after losing to Baltimore. As an outsider, I thought Pete Carroll was one of the best coaches in the league. If this season is any indication, I’m even more confident the 49ers will win their division as Carroll plays to lose, and Kyle Shanahan plays to win.
Here is the top 10:
49ers
Seahawks