Friday, September 29, 2023

San Francisco 49ers Week 4 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2023 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Below you will find a Week 4 roundup for the San Francisco 49ers in our consensus 2023 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 1

Biggest issue on offense: Pass protection

The Niners have mostly kept quarterback Brock Purdy upright, ranking right in the middle of the pack in sacks allowed per dropback (6.1%). But, in part because they've faced the highest blitz percentage (43.4%) in the league, the Niners have also allowed one of the highest pressure percentages (33.3%) in the NFL. Teams are likely to continue trying to heat up Purdy with the blitz even though he's had success against it, but it would also help if the Niners, especially on the right side of the line, continue to improve. -- Nick Wagoner

NFL.com -- Rank: 2

The Giants apparently came into Thursday's matchup intending to blitz the holy heck out of Brock Purdy, and they certainly succeeded in doing that. Purdy was shaky early, but really adjusted to how quickly the defense was bearing down, making several big-time throws outside the numbers. Any team looking to mimic that defensive approach against the Niners is at risk of being carved up. All of it came without the injured Brandon Aiyuk, too, and in a short week. This team appears to be on the same plane right now as it has been in three of the four previous seasons (save for 2020). The upcoming part of the schedule (featuring the suddenly spunky Cardinals and resurgent Browns) is more interesting than it looked previously, but three of the next five are at home before the Week 9 bye. Things are good.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 1

They showed against the Giants how dominant they can be on defense. Brock Purdy fits in perfectly in this system as they keep racking up regular-season victories.

USA Today -- Rank: 1

We're nearing the realm of death, taxes, San Francisco scoring exactly 30 points (all 3 games this season), prevailing (13-game regular-season winning streak) and enjoying a TD from RB Christian McCaffrey, who's found the paint in 12 consecutive games to match Hall of Famer Jerry Rice's club record.

The Athletic -- Rank: 2

QB confidence rating: 9

Brock Purdy's path from Mr. Irrelevant to Mr. Wonderful didn't take long. The 49ers are 11-0 in games in which Purdy leads them in pass attempts, and he's second in the league in yards per attempt (8.1) and fourth in passer rating (106.3) through three games.

FOX -- Rank: 2

Sorry, Niners. You didn't do anything wrong; you just didn't drop 70 points in an NFL game for the first time since Lyndon B. Johnson was President. Rest assured, though, Thursday's demolition of the Giants was textbook, and you are still among the NFL's elite even if you fell from the top spot.

Yahoo! -- Rank: 1

The 49ers are checking every box. The defense shut down the Giants, all while the offense handed out big plays to each of its superstars, almost to prove a point about its unmatched depth at the skill positions. It's early, but the 49ers look like the NFL's most complete team.

PFT -- Rank: 1

They are starting to look like a team of destiny.

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