The 49ers are back in the win column after dismantling the hapless Chicago Bears on Sunday. Sunday’s victory was the best performance of the season for the defending NFC champions and proved there still is some juice left in the tank. It will take help and the team to basically win out to make the playoffs, but it was nice to see the 49ers play competent football for an entire game.
How does the NFL world view the 49ers with five games remaining?
ESPN.com - The 49ers rise three spots to #18
Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com listed the 49ers red zone ranking as the most shocking ranking in 2024 and writes: “In 2023, the Niners led the league in red zone efficiency and their 67.2% conversion rate was the fourth best by any team over the past three seasons. This year, the Niners have had little trouble moving the ball with 51 red zone drives, which is tied for sixth in the NFL. But they have consistently failed to put the ball in the end zone. Some of that can be attributed to the star players they’ve been missing with injury, such as wideout Brandon Aiyuk (ACL) and running back Christian McCaffrey (PCL), but the number of negative plays and ineffectiveness in the run game has been jarring for an offense that not long ago was the best in football at finishing drives.”
The 49ers were 5/6 in the red zone on Sunday. In their last three games, the red zone offense has picked up and ranks 6th in the NFL at 70 percent.
NFL.com - 49ers move to #17
Eric Edholm of NFL.com highlights the 49ers performance on Sunday but believes it may be too little, too late for San Francisco.
“Sunday’s win over Chicago was a bittersweet reminder that the 49ers at peak performance level are as good as virtually any other team out there. So they were missing several key players. No matter — they stormed the Bears from the opening whistle and only let up a little in the second half of a blowout victory. It was a taste of what could have been this season. And yeah, San Francisco is still technically alive, but barely. Speaking of bittersweet developments, Isaac Guerendo was terrific Sunday, scoring two touchdowns, running hard, and even logging some big catches, excelling in a way that made it easy to imagine Kyle Shanahan envisioning a larger role for the rookie, who has played really well when he’s had the chance. Naturally, he left the game late with what was believed to be a sprained foot, which usually means missed time. Just a microcosm of the season, isn’t it?”
It is bittersweet considering this performance came against a team that didn’t require the 49ers’ best game to defeat them, but it’s still nice to see.
Pro Football Talk - 49ers move up one spot to #17
Mike Florio pokes fun at the 49ers injury luck in 2024 and simply writes: “At this rate, they’ll have to bring back Roger Craig to run the ball.”
Guerendo’s injury will be updated shortly, but he believes it was a precaution given the short week and Thursday night game against Los Angeles.
CBS Sports - 49ers move up one spot to #19
Pete Prisco of CBS.com was impressed with the 49ers on Sunday and wrote: “They kept their playoff chances alive with an impressive victory over the Bears. Now they face a big one against the rival Rams.”
It should be noted that the 49ers are ranked right behind the Dolphins, whom they will face off with shortly, and ahead of the Bengals, who defeated the Cowboys Monday night.
Bleacher Report - 49ers climb three spots to #16
Guerendo’s performance impressed Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report and he wrote: “Christian McCaffrey is officially out. Jordan Mason is dealing with a high-ankle sprain. Rookie fourth-rounder Isaac Guerendo is the next man up in the 49ers’ backfield. Despite only one collegiate start, Guerendo didn’t look out of place starting for the first time at the professional level. He contributed 78 yards and two scores before leaving the contest with a sprained foot. Though the injury doesn’t appear to be of much concern. Kyle Shanahan knows how to scheme a run game, and Guerendo is the latest in a long line to take full advantage of helping the coach’s offense.”
The Sporting News - The 49ers climb one spot to #15
Vinnie Iyer of The Sporting News moved the 49ers into the top 15 and was impressed with Guerendo. “The 49ers got some offensive things back on track with Brock Purdy leading the way, but it was a bummer to lose promising Isaac Guerendo to another key running back injury.”
All in all, Sunday’s win was fun as the 49ers flashed their 2023 form. Thursday’s matchup with the Rams looms large and the team will look to keep their faint playoff hopes alive with a win against their NFC West rivals.