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The 49ers didn’t play in Week 11, but still managed to move up two spots in the NFL Wire power rankings. San Francisco now sits smack dab in the middle of the league at No. 16 after consecutive weeks in the 18th spot.
Perhaps more important than anything though, the power rankings offered an answer to whether NFL Wire’s Mark Schofield, who authors these rankings, hates 49ers rookie WR Brandon Aiyuk.
Via Schofield:
He should have at least garnered an honorable mention for what he has done to date. Kyle Shanahan has put him in positions to be successful and he has shown the home-run hitter ability he flashed at Arizona State with his ability after the catch and how explosive he is through the catch point and during the transition from receiver to runner. But…I messed up. Not my first mistake, won’t be my last.
Mark is hereby forgiven.
As for the rankings, a middle-of-the-league place feels right for a team that’s at something of a crossroads.
The 49ers should enter Week 12 with a healthier roster than they’ve had in several weeks, with running back Raheem Mostert, wide receiver Deebo Samuel and cornerback Richard Sherman all due to return. They’ll also be in what amounts to six weeks of must-win games to earn a playoff spot.
For now, they’ve been to hurt to really evaluate as a good or bad team. A healthy version going up against the Rams, who came in at No. 6, will give us a better idea of where the 49ers fall in the NFL hierarchy with a steep climb to stay in the playoff picture looming.