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The Patriots, up until this week, were the consensus No. 1 ranked team for the entire season. Both they and the 49ers entered Week 9 with perfect records, and San Francisco had nearly no chance to take New England's spot without a Patriots loss.
The 49ers won their game, beating the Arizona Cardinals last Thursday night and improving to 8-0. The Ravens, who entered Sunday's matchup as three-point underdogs, knocked the Patriots to 8-1.
The Patriots moved down the rankings this week while the 49ers slid into New England's long-owned top spot. Of course, that wasn't the case across the board. There is still at least one power ranking that doesn't list San Francisco as the NFL's best squad.
The 49ers' next game will be a Monday-night matchup on November 11 against the Seattle Seahawks.
CBS Sports
Current Ranking: 1
Previous rank: 2
"If they can get Jimmy Garoppolo to play like he did against the Cardinals, they can be a real Super Bowl contender. He was outstanding." — Pete Prisco
ESPN
Current Ranking: 1
Previous rank: 2
"The 49ers' defense has been one of the best in the league this season but has struggled at times against the run, especially recently. Since Week 4, the Niners are allowing 5.54 yards per carry, which is 31st in the NFL in that time. It hasn't mattered much because San Francisco has jumped out to such big leads that teams have abandoned the run. But the 49ers are now without linebacker Kwon Alexander for the rest of the season, and the competition level is about to increase. That means the run defense is going to be tested more consistently." — Nick Wagoner
NFL.com
Current Ranking: 1
Previous rank: 2
"The scariest thing that happened on Halloween night? Jimmy Garoppolo played like a star. We already knew the 49ers could be a dominant team with Jimmy G in Game Manager mode. But what happens if San Francisco's 28-year-old quarterback makes the leap? If he becomes the franchise passer many expected after his flash of success that ended the 2017 season and preceded the knee injury that cut his 2018 season short? Against the Cardinals, Garoppolo finished 28 of 37 for 317 yards with a career-high four touchdown passes, zero interceptions and a passer rating of 136.9, another career high-water mark in a game he started." — Dan Hanzus
Sports Illustrated
Current Ranking: 1
Previous rank: 2
"The 49ers stole this game from the youthful Cardinals, but Jimmy Garoppolo was excellent (28-of-37, 317 yards, 4 TDs) and Emmanuel Sanders (seven receptions, 112 yards, 1 TD) seems happy to be back at sea level as the 49ers are the last undefeated team left standing." — The MMQB Staff
Current Ranking: 2
Previous rank: 3
"(The) NFL's No. 1 defense suffered (a) lapse in (the) desert, but Jimmy G is heating up (and the) offense (is) about to be reinforced by (the) anticipated returns of FB Kyle Juszczyk and starting OTs Joe Staley and Mike McGlinchey." — Nate Davis
For those wondering which team sits at No. 1 on the USA Today ranking, it is the New Orleans Saints. Get your torches and pitchforks ready, Niner fans.
