After opening 2-0 with wins over the Rams and Dolphins (35-13), San Francisco ranked in the top four on six of eight national lists. The Athletic put the 49ers first; five outlets ranked them third, Sports Illustrated fourth and NFL.com seventh.
Yahoo Sports cited San Francisco’s +42 point differential and two negative plays through two games, excluding kneeldowns, referencing CBS’s Doug Clawson. ESPN reported that Brock Purdy led the league in QBR at 94.9 after two weeks, despite injuries thinning his supporting cast.
The Athletic noted rookie running back Kaelon Black had 90 rushing yards through two weeks, close to Christian McCaffrey’s 91, while carrying the ball more often. It also noted rookie wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling was set to miss 10 weeks with an ankle sprain.
