What the Week 9 Power Rankings Say About the 49ers After a Small Bounce Win

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The San Francisco 49ers enter their bye week with renewed vigor, fresh off a hard-fought 30-24 win over the Dallas Cowboys. After a disappointing loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, the 49ers bounced back to 4–4, reviving hopes of a strong second half of the season.

Quarterback Brock Purdy completed 18 of 26 passes for 260 yards and a touchdown and added 56 yards and another score on the ground. Tight end George Kittle also played a pivotal role, hauling in six receptions for 128 yards and a touchdown to help secure the Week 8 victory.

The 49ers return to action on Nov. 10 when they take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. The extra week provides a valuable opportunity to recover and tune up as San Francisco prepares for a critical stretch that will determine their playoff chances.

What does the national media think of the 49ers compared to the rest of the league? Below is a sample of some of the most prominent power rankings from around the internet, showing where San Francisco currently ranks in each. As always, the highest ratings are listed first.

Call
Current rating: 8
Previous rating: 11
“In the 49ers’ win over the Cowboys, which was felt for the first time this season, San Francisco stopped hunting for explosive passes on every dropback and relied on its best players to create after the catch. Brock Purdy quickly got rid of the ball. and on Sunday night, he threw fewer passes than in any game this season, and the 49ers posted a season-high in yards after the catch. Up to this point in the season, Purdy had been playing fairly well, but was plagued by piling up injuries. “It was clear that Shanahan needed to take control of the situation, which would keep this franchise in the top 10 for another week.” — Dianthe Lee

Sports Illustrated

Current rating: 9
Previous rating: 11
“This was the game the 49ers needed as they enter a merciful bye week during which all of their players must be placed in permanent ice baths. The division is incredibly well prepared for a significant late-season showdown between Shanahan and Sean McVay. and Shanahan and Dan Campbell. Hopefully San Francisco comes out with a full Christian McCaffrey.” — Conor Orr

Athletic
Current rating: 11
Previous rating: 15
“George Kittle had 128 receiving yards on Sunday on a fake celebration he basically created out of thin air in 2018, and the 49ers looked more like the team we expected this season. However, it was Kittle’s first 100-yard game of the season. and the second since Week 10 last year when Brandon Aiyuk was sidelined, San Francisco will need more from Kittle. Does the 31-year-old have anything to give? — Josh Kendall

Bleach Report
Current rating: 11
Previous rating: 14
The San Francisco 49ers were not in unfamiliar territory entering Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys. Slow starts to the season have become somewhat commonplace under head coach Kyle Shanahan, even if the team would prefer not to. Injuries on offense were largely to blame this year. The team suffered another blow Sunday night when running back Jordan Mason left with a worsening shoulder injury. But rookie Isaac Guerendo came on instead of Mason, and the Niners scored 21 straight points in the third quarter. and San Francisco fended off a late attack and returned to contention for first place in the NFC West.” — Gary Davenport

Sports news
Current rating: 11
Previous rating: 13
The 49ers have shaken off some injury woes on offense thanks to Brock Purdy doing his best with George Kittle. Kyle Shanahan also had to trust emerging rookies Ricky Pearsall and Isaac Guerendeau in critical moments against the Cowboys. — Vinnie Iyer

Yahoo! Sport
Current rating: 11
Previous rating: 11
The 49ers are staying here while they recover. They still seem to be the class of the NFC West, although it’s not certain. This is a team that has played well in spurts, like in the third quarter on Sunday night, but not enough for them to be trusted as contenders yet.” — Frank Schwab

33rd team

Current rating: 12
Previous rating: 14
The San Francisco 49ers got a much-needed win over the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football to improve to 4-4, but they still have some serious concerns. The 49ers had a chance to win the game in regulation after they came back with two late touchdowns. The 49ers have some serious issues in the secondary, but at least they are back to .500 and are now in a great position to get back to first place in the standings. NFC West.” — Marcus Mosher

CBS Sports
Current rating: 12
Previous rating: 15
“The team we saw in a convincing win over the Cowboys was exactly the team we expected to see this season. This was a physical 49ers team that we have come to know over the years.” — Pete Prisco

ESPN
Current rating: 12
Preseason rating: 13
“Best acquisition of the offseason: defender Dominic Pugni. The third-round pick was exactly what the Niners needed at a position that had been problematic for much of the era of coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch. Injuries opened up an opportunity for Pugney during training camp. , and he coped with this task. His 94.1% pass-winning pass rate ranks 12th among defensive backs, and his 74.5% pass-winning pass percentage ranks 14th among players with at least 100 defensive snaps.” — Nick Wagoner

Professional football
Current rating: 12
Previous rating: 15
“If they can ever get well and stay healthy, they will be unstoppable.” — Mike Florio

NFL.com
Current rating: 14
Previous rating: 16
“Sunday night’s contest was a game that helped the 49ers succeed even though it wasn’t easy. But it doesn’t matter; San Francisco enters Week 9 with potential moves at the trade deadline and the possible return of Christian McCaffrey and Dre Greenlaw to look forward to. Nick Bosa and Sam Okuayinonu. performed well as a striker. However, if the Niners are looking to add pieces, may I kindly offer to help out on the defensive line? Looks like they need another striker up front. I might say go after the wide receiver. Also coming off Brandon Aiyuk’s season-ending injury, Ricky Pearsall Jr. put in a big effort on Sunday and may be one of the guys watching the game. The NFC West is tightly packed, with Seattle and Arizona also in 4th place. 4 and the Rams are 3-4, so I expect the Niners to work hard, even if we put aside possible new faces, San Francisco remains the best option to claim the division crown. Screw the slow start.” — Eric Edholm

USA today

Current rating: 16
Previous rating: 17
If Christian McCaffrey and his Achilles issues are indeed on the other side of this week, you wonder if the Niners shouldn’t use him more heavily in the slot to bolster a weakened receiving corps and allow RBs Jordan Mason and Isaac Guerendeau to continue to do their thing. work. Impressive work off the field.” — Nate Davis