The 49ers beat up on the Rams in Week 1, and then dominated the Dolphins in Week 2. The offense ran over Los Angeles but went aerial against Miami. There were some concerns about the run defense at times in both games, but if you score enough points, your opponent knows they need to keep up on the scoreboard. They cannot do that by running the ball.
Today we’ll use multiple power rankings to see how the national media and pundits view the 49ers. Even with all the injuries, it feels like the Niners
are getting the respect that they deserve to begin the season.
The Athletic: 1
From Chad Graff and Josh Kendall
1. San Francisco 49ers (2-0)
Last week: 1
Sunday: Beat Dolphins 35-13
Rookie spotlight: Kaelon Black
The running back out of Indiana has more carries and almost as many rushing yards (90) as Christian McCaffrey (91) through two weeks. Not bad for a third-round pick who didn’t even get an invite to the NFL combine. And it helps make Niners fans feel better about losing promising rookie wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling for 10 weeks due to an ankle sprain.
USA Today: 3
From Nate Davis:
3. San Francisco 49ers (2): Only three NFL players in history have scored 50 touchdowns with two different franchises. Hall of Famers Marshall Faulk and Randy Moss and − now − Christian McCaffrey. End of list. Impressive.
Yahoo Sports: 3
Frank Schwab:
3. San Francisco 49ers (2-0, LW: 5)
The 49ers got a good runout to start the season. They got the Rams in Australia, when Los Angeles practically blew off that trip by landing the day before the game. Then they got the Dolphins, who have the worst roster in the NFL. They blew out both teams, which shouldn’t be taken for granted in the NFL. Their point differential of +42 is dominant. They have had only two negative plays all season, not counting kneeldowns, the fewest for a team this century through two games, according to Doug Clawson of CBS. Brock Purdy is playing well, keeping the offense afloat despite receiver injuries already piling up, and the defense has given up only one touchdown to the Rams and another TD to the Dolphins when they were leading by 29 points in the final minutes. It has been an impressive start.
“Obviously, the scoreboard’s been great the last two weeks, but there are so many things we can always get better at and our standard is going to continue to rise. That’s really what we’re focused on.”
NFL.com: 7 (9 last week)
From Nick Shook:
Folks, Brock Purdy is dealing. Defenses have not been able to stop the 26-year-old in the first two weeks. Purdy is at the peak of his powers and completely comfortable running the show, dicing up the opposition and adding his own flair along the way. Quietly, the 49ers are dunking on the doubters, looking like one of the better teams in the NFL through two games.
ESPN: 3
Excerpt from Nick Wagoner:
Week 2 ranking: 5
One thing we know about the QB1: Brock Purdy looks poised for his best season.
Purdy has been one of the league’s most productive quarterbacks since taking over the starting job in 2022. Now in his fifth season, he’s completely comfortable in coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense and is coming off his best training camp. That hot start has teammates such as linebacker Fred Warner openly wondering whether Purdy can compete for league MVP honors. Through two weeks, Purdy is atop the league in QBR (94.9) despite a supporting cast that has already been thinned by injury. If he stays healthy, there’s reason to believe Purdy will post his best year yet. — Nick Wagoner
Sporting News: 3
Vinnie Iyer:
3. San Francisco 49ers 2-0 (5)
The 49ers are back to being a well-balanced offensive machine for Kyle Shanahan with the usual big plays from Brock Purdy and Christian McCaffrey. They also need to be extra pleased about how swarming the defense has been under Raheem Morris.
CBS Sports: 3
Pete Prisco:
The stars continue to show up for this team, which is why it will be a serious playoff contender. With those guys on the field, and Kyle Shanahan coaching, they will be tough to beat.
Sports Illustrated: 4
Connor Orr:
Last week’s ranking: No. 6
Last week’s result: beat Dolphins, 35–13
This week: vs. CardinalsSure, the Rams in Australia and the Dolphins at home to follow. But the clinical dissection of both teams was enough to earn Kyle Shanahan & Co. a major boost this week. I keep thinking about something Shanahan has said that makes the team’s sustained run all the more interesting. Nearly every team in the league runs his offense, so every defense practices against it every day. The fact that the 49ers are still an elite team is more amazing than we think.
