The 49ers’ loss of Jimmy Garoppolo dropped them three spots out of the top five in the USA TODAY NFL power rankings. Their stout defense and a surprisingly strong effort from rookie QB Brock Purdy has them in a great position to crack the top five once again after a 35-7 blowout win over the Buccaneers on Sunday.
Now San Francisco finds themselves in a prime spot Thursday night to not only get back into the top five, but to secure their place in the standings as well. Via USA TODAY’s Nate Davis:
They can clinch NFC West by winning in Seattle on Thursday night – a golden opportunity to secure a home playoff game while spending the balance of the regular season managing a battered roster.
A victory on the road against Seattle with Purdy under center would certainly help cement the final pick of the 2022 draft as something more than just a seven-quarter flash in the pan.
The 49ers’ defense was alway going to keep them afloat as a middling team in the NFL. Purdy’s entry into the lineup is the question mark though, and if he’s going to continue playing the way he did Sunday, the 49ers are going to be an extremely tough out come January.
