NFL Power Rankings roundup: Where 49ers sit at conclusion of season

Going into the 2020 NFL regular season the San Francisco 49ers were among the favorites to win the Super Bowl. Many of the major media outlets put the Niners in the top five of their preseason power rankings.

After a season full of injuries to star players and sloppy play on offense, San Francisco fell to the bottom-third of the league in the most of the final power rankings on 2020.

The 49ers are already looking ahead to the start of next season. The roster has a strong nucleus to build off, with George Kittle, Nick Bosa, Fred Warner and hopefully a re-signed Trent Williams back in the fold in 2021.

Here is how where the Niners sit in the final power rankings of the 2020 season:

NFL.com has the 49ers 21st (same as last week)

Finishing under .500 a year after nearly winning the Super Bowl would represent great disappointment for any team, but the Niners deserve credit for keeping their dignity intact while grinding through a snakebitten season. San Francisco has a big decision to make at quarterback, where the high-priced and injury-prone Jimmy Garoppolo currently sits atop the depth chart, but Kyle Shanahan will also likely be tasked with finding a new leader for his defense. Robert Saleh is coming off an excellent season in which San Francisco finished fifth in total defense despite an avalanche of injuries and COVID-19 madness. A hot name on the coaching carousel, Saleh will almost certainly get one of the open big chairs. - Dan Hanzus

CBS Sports has the 49ers 25th (same as last week)

Watch out for this team next year. The injuries crippled them this season, but there is still a lot of talent. They could lose defensive coordinator Robert Saleh when he likely becomes a head coach. - Pete Prisco

USA TODAY has the 49ers 24th (same as last week)

Kinda crazy to think Kyle Shanahan’s four-year record with Niners is 29-35, though it’s certainly not indicative of his coaching abilities. - Nate Davis

Pro Football Talk has the 49ers 23rd (same as last week)

Jimmy GQ needs to be Jimmy GO. - Mike Florio

Yahoo Sports has the 49ers 21st (down two spots from last week)

The 49ers would probably be happy to see popular defensive coordinator Robert Saleh get a head-coaching job. Given that there are six openings (so far), it seems likely he will get one. However, it will also be a massive blow if Saleh leaves. He has been a big part of the 49ers’ recent success. - Frank Schwab

Sports Illustrated has the 49ers 15th (staff poll has the Niners as high as 13th and as low as 18th)

This ranking shows a lot of respect for a squad that ultimately finished 6–10. Needless to say the 49ers will be higher next preseason when their long list of injured players can return. - MMQB

Here is how the rest of the NFC West teams are ranked:

Seattle Seahawks: NFL.com (No. 6), CBS Sports (No. 4), USA TODAY (No. 7), Pro Football Talk (No. 6), Yahoo Sports (No. 5), Sports Illustrated (No. 8).

Los Angeles Rams: NFL.com (No. 12), CBS Sports (No. 12), USA TODAY (No. 13), Pro Football Talk (No. 13), Yahoo Sports (No. 12), Sports Illustrated (No. 11).

Arizona Cardinals: NFL.com (No. 16), CBS Sports (No. 16), USA TODAY (No. 14), Pro Football Talk (No. 15), Yahoo Sports (No. 16), Sports Illustrated (No. 18).

It is interesting to see the folks at MMQB have the 49ers higher than the Cardinals in their final poll. Pete Prisco of CBS Sports also feels that the Niners will be a team to watch out for next season if they’re not plagued by injuries.

Where would you put San Francisco in your power rankings?