49ers Power Ranking Roundup: Niners nose dive while dealing with the injury bug

Following a brutal and frustrating loss to the Rams in SoFi Stadium, analysts have become concerned that the toll of injuries to star players has become too much for the 49ers to overcome. The 49ers have fallen to the middle of the pack in many power rankings heading into Week 4. Let’s look at some power rankings and the sentiment amongst analysts.

CBS Sports – 49ers fall seven spots to #15

“All the injuries have proven to be too much for this team. It’s hard to believe they are 1-2, but when you lose stars it’s tough to overcome it.”

Pete Prisco likely wrote this before the news of Javon Hargrave’s season-ending injury, but it’s hard to ignore the star power the 49ers are missing on both sides of the ball.

ESPN – 49ers fall three spots to #9

Nick Wagoner of ESPN believes the 49ers’ biggest issue is the lack of yards after the catch and says: “It’s almost hard to believe that the team known for yards after the catch (YAC) in 2023 has been so inefficient in that category through the first three games. The Niners are averaging just 3.1 YAC per reception, which ranks last in the NFL. Injuries to their three best players at YAC (receiver Deebo Samuel Sr., running back Christian McCaffrey, and tight end George Kittle) haven’t helped, but this offense is largely predicated on making big plays after the catch. The absence of that additional yardage has forced San Francisco to be more meticulous with its drives and has resulted in a red zone touchdown rate of 50%, which is tied for 15th in the league.”

USA Today – 49ers fall four spots to #12

Nate Davis of USA Today is also concerned with the 49ers injuries and depth and writes: “Injuries are generally the only factor which have undercut Kyle Shanahan’s teams – in the regular season – and, boy, are they piling up. DT Javon Hargrave (triceps) is now out for the year, while QB Brock Purdy is dealing with a balky back and the first dip below .500 in his career. When RB Christian McCaffrey (Achilles) returns remains anyone’s guess.”

NFL.com – 49ers fall ten spots to #12

Eric Edholm points out that despite the 49ers injuries, they were in command on Sunday afternoon and writes: “I figured that the 49ers would have some fits offensively here and there against the Rams, given their injury woes leading up to the game. But for three-plus quarters, they still had the right formula to win. Jake Moody’s missed 55-yard field goal attempt late in the fourth quarter kept the door ajar, and Los Angeles kicked it down to pull out the stunner. But really, San Francisco’s troubles went back to the second quarter, when they couldn’t protect a 14-0 lead. A fake punt caught the 49ers flat-footed, helping the Rams score a critical touchdown before halftime that changed the arc of the game. Even with the Niners making it a two-score lead later, their special teams and defensive issues were back-breakers. Los Angeles drove for scores on each of its final four drives, aided by some huge penalties that changed field position and sunk San Francisco. Where do the reigning NFC champions go from here? George Kittle could be back soon; perhaps Deebo Samuel, too. But this team’s problems appear to run deeper than early injuries.”

Yahoo Sports – The 49ers remain in the top five

Frank Schwab is optimistic the 49ers will return to form when reinforcements arrive and says: “The positive from Sunday’s loss to the Rams was that Brock Purdy played really well without Deebo Samuel Sr., George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey. He threw for 292 yards and three touchdowns, all of which went to Jauan Jennings. The 49ers will be fine when they get healthy.”

The 49ers will need to get right back on track against the Patriots this week despite the injuries.