They are who we thought they were... Jim Harbaugh and the San Francisco 49ers picked up where they left off. Harbaugh's legion of running backs slammed the ball at the Minnesota Vikings all night long. It's easy to forget what a disaster the Niners were just two seasons ago. Harbaugh has the chance to be a special coach in the NFL.
Sidenote: Colin Kaepernick's 78-yard scamper is an easy pick for Run of the Week. Keep in mind he's a quarterback. Also keep in mind it would have taken Matt Hasselbeck 42 minutes to do this.
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap2000000050045/article/nfl-power-rankings-atlanta-falcons-rise-chicago-bears-fall?module=HP11_hot_topics
RANK 3
49ERS
The questions surrounding this team always begin and end with Alex Smith. But Randy Moss and Frank Gore are also worth investigating early in 2012. The early bird says Moss will start and could surprise a few folks at 35 (the same age as Burress.) Meanwhile, Gore has logged nearly 2,000 career touches and is 29. Expect a committee look in The City by the Bay -- a headache for fantasy owners, but a sensible approach for a team with plenty of depth at running back.
Up 1 spot from last power rankings, right below NYG and NE, not bad IMO. What 2 years makes, go from terrible coach in Sing and almost laughing stock, to now Top 3 Defense, HC of the year, 13-3, and a super bowl contender, and legit one.
