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49ers Win vs. Saints Makes Little Impact in NFL Power Rankings as Injury Concerns Grow
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By Reuters
Published 3 hours ago on
September 16, 2025

Sep 14, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones (10) passes against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at Caesars Superdome. (Stephen Lew-Imagn Images)

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After downing the Seattle Seahawks in Week 1, the San Francisco 49ers took on the New Orleans Saints on Sunday at Caesars Superdome and earned a 26-21 to move to 2-0 on the year and stay in a three-way tie atop the NFC West.

With 49ers starting quarterback Brock Purdy suffering multiple injuries against the Seahawks, San Francisco was forced to start former first-round pick Mac Jones against New Orleans. And while expectations were low, the Alabama product put on a show, completing 66.7% of his passes for 279 yards and three touchdowns.

Through two weeks, NFL analysts like USA Today’s Nate Davis still weren’t buying in on San Francisco, placing the 49ers 13th in his Week 2 power rankings. After this win, Davis has moved San Francisco up one spot to No. 12.

“This is the fourth time HC Kyle Shanahan’s crew has opened with two wins on the road,” Davis wrote. “The Niners went at least as far as the NFC title game in the three previous instances.”

The teams ahead of the 49ers at this point are the Indianapolis Colts (No. 11), Detroit Lions (No. 10), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (No. 9), Kansas City Chiefs (No. 8), Washington Commanders (No. 7), Los Angeles Chargers (No. 6), Los Angeles Rams (No. 5), Baltimore Ravens (No. 4), Green Bay Packers (No. 3), Buffalo Bills (No. 2) and Philadelphia Eagles (No. 1).

Indianapolis and Detroit are the only two teams that jumped San Francisco in this update, as the Colts moved from No. 26 to No. 11 and the Lions went from No. 14 to No. 10.

If the 49ers beat the Arizona Cardinals (No. 13) in Week 3, they may move up another spot or two.

This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers win vs. Saints makes little impact in NFL power rankings as injury concerns grow
Reporting by Mike Masala, Niners Wire / Niners Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

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