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The 49ers in Week 6 took their first step toward re-entering the postseason picture with a victory over the Los Angeles Rams. Their win also inched them up one spot in the NFL Wire power rankings from No. 20 to No. 19.
What matters for San Francisco now is continuing to string together good weeks. They got a win over the 4-1 Rams to move to 3-3 and help exorcise some of the demons that haunted them in consecutive home losses to the Eagles and Dolphins.
Most notably, the offensive line produced at a high level against the Rams. Their strong play allowed head coach Kyle Shanahan to execute a game plan that had the 49ers offense playing like a unit that can carry them should their ailing defense falter.
Via Doug Farrar:
Sometimes adversity brings out the best in a football team, and that scenario likely factored into what we saw from the 49ers on Sunday night. A prime example came early in the second quarter. Holding a seven-point lead and facing a 4th and 2 near midfield, Shanahan kept his offense on the field. Garoppolo threw a quick strike to tight end George Kittle against man coverage, and the tight end outraced the defenders to the end zone for a huge 44-yard touchdown. Perhaps in a different context, the 49ers consider punting there, or perhaps trying to simply draw the Rams offside. Instead, Shanahan showed faith in his offense, and they rewarded him with a touchdown.
If the 49ers can pair the offensive showing they got Sunday with a stingy pass defense that held Jared Goff under 200 yards, they should start putting together a few wins just as their schedule reaches its most difficult point.
The power rankings will tell the story. If San Francisco starts knocking teams off, they’ll climb and be playoff contenders. If they falter, they’ll dip back into the bottom 12 and stay on the outside looking in at a playoff spot.