The San Francisco 49ers moved to 4-0 with a Week 4 win over the Denver Broncos, though injuries continue to pile up. Nevertheless, they're atop the NFC West and, according to some NFL experts, atop the Week 5 power rankings.
Seven of eight outlets ranked San Francisco No. 1 this week, with Sports Illustrated the lone exception at No. 5.
Here's a roundup of power rankings for the 49ers heading into Week 5.
USA Today Sports: 1
Would have put them in the top spot sooner if not for concern regarding their latest rash of injuries, FB Kyle Juszczyk the latest star to go down. However, the Niners are certainly safeguarding QB Brock Purdy, becoming the first team since Peyton Manning's 2005 Colts to permit zero sacks through four games. Beat Seattle on Sunday, and San Francisco
will have already taken down three of last season's final four teams. Unbeaten through four games for the third time under Kyle Shanahan, now the longest-tenured coach in franchise history, the 49ers leveraged those other two hot starts into Super Bowl berths.
CBS Sports: 1
At 4-0, they are rolling, and beating good teams in the process. The defense came up big in the victory over the Broncos, which is a good sign.
FOX Sports: 1
They have now beaten the Rams and the Broncos — two teams some thought might meet in the Super Bowl — on their way to a dominant 4-0 start. They have proven they can beat teams with Brock Purdy's arm, Christian McCaffrey's legs and Raheem Morris' defense.
There shouldn't even really be a debate at this point: They are the best team in the NFL.
The Athletic: 1
Few teams have overcome injuries like the 49ers in recent seasons, but those often prove to be too much come playoff time. When this team is healthy (or even semi-healthy), it is awfully tough to beat. Brock Purdy continues playing at an MVP level.
Yahoo Sports: 1
It has been a good runout for the 49ers. They haven't played a true road game yet. They faced the Cardinals and Dolphins, two of the NFL's worst teams. The weirdness of the Australia trip for the Rams has been talked about often. But the 49ers just keep winning and looking pretty good doing it.
If there's any remaining skepticism about the 49ers, this week will be telling. San Francisco plays at Seattle on Sunday afternoon. San Francisco's offense is first in the NFL in EPA per play and by a wide margin (0.274 with the Bills in second at 0.204). If the 49ers can keep that going against an excellent Seahawks defense, it will solidify the 49ers as the No. 1 team in the NFL so far this season.
Sports Illustrated: 5
We think we might be able to project a game based on coverage tendencies and scheme and who is on and off the injury report. And then Dre Greenlaw plays like an absolute maniac against the Broncos because he hates Sean Payton because Payton wouldn't call him personally to tell him he was cut. The NFL rocks, man.
Bleacher Report: 1
The San Francisco 49ers are doing what they normally do, which makes them the NFL's best team.
Once again, the Niners' lineup is littered with injuries. Even so, Kyle Shanahan's squad remains undefeated, with the league's best point differential. Brock Purdy is playing better than any other quarterback. His offensive line isn't allowing pressure. Wide receiver Mike Evans and tight end George Kittle are still weapons. Plus, San Francisco features a top-three scoring defense.
To Shanahan's credit, the 49ers are always among the league's best coached teams. This group is always prepared to play despite whatever extenuating circumstances it faces. As long as the injury issues don't reach the team's star performers, as they did last season, San Francisco can make some serious noise.
ESPN: 1
The 49ers have again been hit by a slew of injuries. On the defensive line, star defensive end Nick Bosa is out because of a calf issue. At receiver, they've lost Ricky Pearsall (knee) for the season and promising rookie De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle) for 10 weeks. And yet, the Niners are one of three undefeated teams. Quarterback Brock Purdy has emerged as an early MVP candidate, as the offense has done most of the heavy lifting. But Sunday's win showed the Niners can lean on their defense and special teams when they aren't lighting up the scoreboard.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers take No. 1 in nearly every Week 5 power ranking
