Saturday, September 18, 2021

San Francisco 49ers Week 2 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2021 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Here is where the San Francisco 49ers rank in terms of average, best and worst:

  • Average ranking: 7.0 (T-5th)
  • Best ranking: 3rd (CBS Sports)
  • Worst ranking: 11th (USA Today)

Below you will find a Week 2 roundup for the 49ers in our consensus 2021 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 7

Top rookie: CB Deommodore Lenoir

It's early, but Lenoir looks the part of the Niners' next fifth-round diamond in the rough. With Emmanuel Moseley out because of a knee injury, Lenoir started at outside corner opposite Jason Verrett. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Lenoir played 55 coverage snaps and was targeted four times, allowing one completion for three yards. Lenoir did have a pass interference penalty, but it was a solid debut for a player who is likely to step into an integral role on a more permanent basis following Verrett's right knee injury. -- Nick Wagoner

NFL.com -- Rank: 9

San Francisco had a 41-17 advantage over Detroit when cornerback Jason Verrett limped to the sideline with what was later diagnosed as a season-ending ACL injury. It's not a coincidence that the Lions began to eat into that lead as soon as the top cover man exited the picture. The 49ers survived Detroit's furious comeback attempt, and now they'll have to find a way to survive without an indispensable figure in their secondary. We know this team is capable of scoring points, but a healthy and effective defense will be necessary to fulfill those Super Bowl expectations. With Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson and Kyler Murray looming on the schedule, San Francisco must adapt in a hurry.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 3

They jumped all over the Lions, but had to hold on to win for dear life. The defense has to be better than what it showed against Detroit.

USA Today -- Rank: 11

Are they the team that led Detroit 38-10 through 2½ quarters, or the one that held on for a 41-33 win ... and is already dealing with another rash of injuries after losing CB Jason Verrett to a torn ACL and RB Raheem Mostert to his own season-ending knee surgery?

The Athletic -- Rank: 5

Overreaction: The 49ers were the NFL's most-injured team last year, and 2021 isn't off to a much better start. San Francisco lost top cornerback Jason Verrett (ACL) and running back Raheem Mostert (knee injury) for the season in Sunday's win at Detroit. That's frustrating for San Francisco, and reminiscent of last year, when DE Nick Bosa, QB Jimmy Garoppolo and WR Deebo Samuel were among the 49ers taken out in September. -- Jones

Reality check: Scoring 31 points in the first half is such a good sign. In the last nine games of last season, the most San Francisco scored before halftime was 14. Injuries are concerning, but this was a strong Week 1 for the 49ers returning to prominence. -- Auman

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