The San Francisco 49ers hold their playoff destiny in their own hands. It’s fairly simple: keep winning, and you’re in. With all their wins over NFC opponents and teams competing for a playoff spot, the 49ers are set up with tiebreaker advantages if necessary. Sunday’s game in Cleveland will be a test for the 49ers, as they face a top-two defense in the Browns. The weather elements, short week, travel to the East Coast, and the history between Kyle Shanahan and Jim Schwartz are the big storylines.
How are the NFL media ranking the 49ers after 12 weeks?
ESPN.com – The 49ers remain at #9
Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com keeps the 49ers at number nine and believes the 49ers’ best Thanksgiving memory is a victory over the Dallas Cowboys in 1972. Respectfully, I disagree and think it is the victory over Seattle as revenge for Russell Wilson eating turkey on the 49ers’ field.
“There are a few to choose from here, but the Niners throttling one of their fiercest rivals 31-10 ranks at the top. The Cowboys were the defending Super Bowl champions, while the Niners were still finding their way with a young quarterback named Steve Spurrier replacing an injured John Brodie. Spurrier was efficient in Dallas, but linebacker Skip Vanderbundt stole the show. He returned a fumble 73 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter and capped the game with a 21-yard pick-six.”
NFL.com – The 49ers move up one spot to #9
Eric Edholm of NFL.com pushed the 49ers ahead of the Buffalo Bills in this week’s power rankings.
“Brock Purdy’s three first-half interceptions were the last thing the 49ers needed, and you almost wondered if there might be a switch if that nonsense kept up. But Purdy looked locked in after halftime, and Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle played big roles, just like old times. San Francisco’s defense also turned in a hellacious effort against a Carolina offense that had gained some steam one week prior. Robert Saleh’s group has been through the ringer with season-ending injuries, and the Niners were undressed in the big loss to the Rams. But after a three-takeaway performance in Week 11 and a smothering showing Monday, the defense has regained some pride.”
CBSSports.com – The 49ers gain a spot to move to #14
Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com needs to see improvement in Brock Purdy’s play for the 49ers to be a threat moving forward.
“They beat the Panthers on Monday night, but Brock Purdy can’t play the way he did if they are going to push for a playoff spot. He has to be better.”
Bleacher Report – The 49ers stay at #13
Kris Knox of Bleacher Report says not to take the 49ers lightly with wins over the Seahawks and the consensus number one team in each power ranking, the Los Angeles Rams.
“The San Francisco 49ers have been repeatedly hampered by injuries, but they keep finding ways to hang around the NFC playoff race. On Monday night, they overcame a three-interception game by Brock Purdy to win fairly convincingly over the upstart Panthers. Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh has done a masterful job of reading a very young defense this season. When Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle and Jauan Jennings are all healthy, the offense is formidable. With wins over the Seahawks and the Rams on their resume, the 49ers must be taken seriously.”
Pro Football Talk – The 49ers move up two spots to #12
Mike Florio gives credit to the 49ers for not allowing injuries to slow them down from racking up wins like previous seasons. For what it’s worth, Florio has the 49ers one spot ahead of the Kansas City Chiefs.
“Unlike 2020 and 2024, the injuries aren’t slowing them down.”
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