Saturday, January 1, 2022

San Francisco 49ers Week 17 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: 12.6 (12th)
  • Best ranking: 12 (Multiple)
  • Worst ranking: 13 (Multiple)

Below you will find a Week 17 roundup for the 49ers in our consensus 2021 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 12

Non-QB MVP: DE Nick Bosa

This is extremely difficult given how important OT Trent Williams and WR Deebo Samuel have been. All three deserve this recognition. But Bosa gets the nod for two reasons: He hasn't missed a game all season, which is even more impressive considering he is coming off a torn ACL, and it's hard to fathom how the Niners' defense would look without him. San Francisco's cornerback situation isn't good, but Bosa's ability to consistently generate a pass rush (he has 15 sacks) while getting double-teamed more than any edge rusher in the league has not only kept the defense competitive but helped it remain in the top 10 in defense-adjusted value over average (DVOA). -- Nick Wagoner

NFL.com -- Rank: 13

Jimmy Garoppolo had been so steady in recent weeks that it's understandable if 49ers fans were lulled into a false sense of security. In reality, Jimmy G remains a very hit-or-miss entity on balance -- and the QB missed badly against the Titans on Thursday night. Garoppolo threw two ugly interceptions and missed Kyle Juszczyk on a walk-in score, mistakes that got San Francisco beat in frustrating fashion. The Niners remain in good shape for a playoff berth, but the ability to trust the quarterback in a big spot has been shaken once again. And now, adding injury to insult, Garoppolo's questionable for Sunday's game vs. Houston with an injured right thumb.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 13

Losing on the road to a good team on a short week isn't awful, but it had to sting since they controlled the game against the Titans for most if. Jimmy Garoppolo's end-zone pick was damning and he now has a thumb injury.

USA Today -- Rank: 12

After two months of exceptional work, will one poor game and a badly timed thumb injury end QB Jimmy Garoppolo's Bay Area tenure?

The Athletic -- Rank: 13

Is he The Guy? No. Jimmy Garoppolo has been the 49ers' best quarterback this season, while rookie Trey Lance has been largely a non-factor, though the thumb injury Garoppolo suffered in Week 16 might change that over the next two weeks. Regardless of what happens, the 49ers still seem ready to move on from Garoppolo this offseason and build the offense around Lance in 2022.

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