The 49ers didn’t go anywhere in the Week 11 NFL Wire power rankings after their 27-13 loss to the Saints. They’re still sitting at No. 18 heading into their Bye week. Their lack of movement signals that things may not be as bad as they feel in Santa Clara.
Injuries have played a key role in the 49ers’ struggles this season, which may be a reason they’re not plummeting despite three straight losses.
They’re also not playing poorly enough to fall below a slew of other teams who’re dramatically worse. An injured 49ers club made a late comeback against the Seahawks, got blown out by the Packers and then hung with the Saints for most of Week 10. San Francisco is underachieving based on preseason expectations. They’re still a talented roster capable of going up 10-0 on New Orleans and coming within a couple of muffed punts of from being within a score at the end.
Their long-term question at quarterback still lingers, and that may come into play for offseason rankings. For now though, it doesn’t look like it’ll drop them down the list. It will very likely keep them from climbing out of the bottom half.
