The players and coaches hope to make amends for that.
San Francisco kicks off its regular season by hosting the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium during Week 1. Much of last season's Super Bowl roster returns, with the exception of veterans Joe Staley, DeForest Buckner, and Emmanuel Sanders. The team has added on, though, with additions like Trent Williams, Javon Kinlaw, and Brandon Aiyuk. The 49ers also added Jordan Reed to complement their All-Pro tight end, George Kittle.
Below is a sample of some of the more prominent power rankings around the web and where San Francisco currently stands within each.
NFL.com
Current Ranking: 2
Previous rank: N/A
"Deebo Samuel is working his way back from a broken foot. Richie James Jr. missed camp with a broken wrist. First-round pick Brandon Aiyuk is week-to-week with a hamstring injury. Jalen Hurd tore his ACL. Tavon Austin hit IR with his own knee issue. Emmanuel Sanders exited via free agency, and Travis Benjamin was a COVID-19 opt-out. Right about now, George Kittle is probably wondering what kind of damage he can do on Sundays while being quintuple-teamed." — Dan Hanzus
ESPN
Current Ranking: 3
Previous rank: N/A
"Rare is the team that can lose a Super Bowl, return the next year and win the Lombardi Trophy. In fact, it has happened only three times. But the Niners believe they can do it in large part because they return almost all of their starters and coaching staff in a season when continuity might be more valuable than ever." — Nick Wagoner
Bleacher Report
Current Ranking: 4
Previous rank: N/A
"The Niners appear to have a ready-made replacement (for Buckner) in first-round rookie Javon Kinlaw. But as talented as he may be, he's never played in an NFL game. In a loaded NFC West, the 49ers can't afford for Kinlaw to be anything other than a quick study." — NFL Staff
Current Ranking: 4
Previous rank: N/A
"Getting back to the Super Bowl after losing it is a big challenge. Kyle Shanahan has the makeup to get it done, but it won't be easy. Their season will be all about the growth of Jimmy Garoppolo." — Pete Prisco
Sports Illustrated
Current Ranking: 4
Previous rank: N/A
"Will there be a Super Bowl hangover in the Bay Area? Whether our voters see one coming or not, they mostly gave the defending NFC champions the respect they earned last year." — The MMQB Staff
USA Today
Current Ranking: 4
Previous rank: N/A
"Really would have been fun to watch these (already legendary) Trent Williams-Nick Bosa training camp battles. The Niners should be better because of them." — Nate Davis
