With another divisional game on tap for the San Francisco 49ers, the Kyle Shanahan-led group will look to bounce back with its fourth NFC West victory over Arizona on Sunday. The undermanned 49ers defense
took a beating against the Rams and their MVP candidate, Matthew Stafford, last Sunday, but it only counts as one loss. The upcoming schedule is favorable for the 49ers and their playoff aspirations. How damaging was the loss on Sunday, according to NFL media and pundits?
ESPN.com – The 49ers move up one spot to #13
Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com laments Christian McCaffrey’s contributions to the team in 2025 and has a tough time imagining where the 49ers would be without him. McCaffrey is Wagoner’s non-QB MVP through ten weeks.
“It’s hard to imagine where the Niners would be without McCaffrey’s versatility and production. He ranks second in the NFL in scrimmage yards (1,318) despite averaging just 3.5 yards per carry. But McCaffrey’s receiving skills have allowed him to continue to produce, as he leads the Niners in receptions (69) and receiving yards (692). In fact, McCaffrey remains on pace to break Marshall Faulk’s single-season record of 1,048 receiving yards by a running back. On an offense that has spent all or large chunks of the season without quarterback Brock Purdy, wideouts Brandon Aiyuk and Ricky Pearsall, and tight end George Kittle, McCaffrey has been the constant.”
NFL.com – The 49ers lose a spot and fall to #13
Eric Edholm is worried about the potential of this 49ers team down the stretch. Edholm still believes in the 49ers’ chances for a playoff run, but isn’t looking past the impact players missing from their roster.
“The 49ers have Brock Purdy’s lingering health questions and a defensive problem that isn’t going away. Outside of the Falcons game, Robert Saleh’s injury-riddled unit just hasn’t played well enough. Meanwhile, despite the forced-pass INT in the fourth quarter, Mac Jones was mostly fantastic against the Rams, nearly erasing a 21-0 deficit. Who knows what Kyle Shanahan will do at QB, but it would be hard to bench Jones with the way he’s playing right now. It might be just as hard finding defensive solutions to stop the bleeding. San Francisco is still in good shape at 6-4 with winnable games remaining, but it feels like there’s a lid on this team’s potential.”
Bleacher Report – The 49ers fall a spot to #15
Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report believes the 49ers’ defense is in a bad spot, but also praises Stafford, while pointing out they probably won’t run into a quarterback of that level until the playoffs.
“The 49ers are perfectly mediocre, at least through their last seven games. San Francisco has rotated between wins and losses during that stretch, without losing or winning two straight. Kyle Shanahan and Co. understood difficulties laid ahead after losing defensive difference-makers Nick Bosa and Fred Warner to season-ending injuries. To offset those losses, defensive coordinator Robert Saleh became more aggressive with his play-calling. The Los Angeles Rams’ Matthew Stafford torched the Niners defense whenever it brought pressure. Not every opponent will feature a quarterback anywhere near his level, but San Francisco must be wary of its limitations.”
CBSSports.com – The 49ers fall to #16
Pete Prisco of CBS Sports.com has the 49ers two spots behind the Ravens and right in front of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Prisco was impressed with Stafford, but knows the 49ers’ injuries may be too much to overcome.
“The injuries to the defense proved to be too much to overcome in the loss to the Rams. Matthew Stafford carved them to shreds.”
Pro Football Talk – The 49ers fall to #18
Well, we knew it was coming from Florio. After the loss to the Rams, the PFT editor moved Los Angeles to the top spot, while dropping the 49ers three spots to number 18. As usual, Florio had to leave a small shot in there for the 49ers and stir up controversy, saying simply: Quarterback controversy incoming. Who could have seen that coming from him, amirite?
