The San Francisco 49ers are coming off a decisive 42-10 victory over the Dallas Cowboys. Any lingering doubts about how good the 49ers are this season were dispelled on Sunday night.
San Francisco stands alongside the Philadelphia Eagles as one of the last two undefeated teams in the league. The Week 5 clash, hyped as a showdown of NFL heavyweights, saw the 49ers outclass Dallas in every aspect of the game.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan's team is a formidable force, showing little in the way of weaknesses. The offense ranks third in yards per game, third in rushing yards, and eighth in passing yards. The defense ranks third in yards allowed, second in rushing yards allowed, and 12th in passing yards allowed.
The 49ers are allowing the second-fewest points this season while scoring the second-most. They have scored 30 or more points in every game. Before Sunday night's face-off, the Cowboys' defense had only conceded 41 combined points all season. The 49ers alone managed to surpass that amount by one.
"We want to just come out and show that we're truly just a complete football team," safety Tashaun Gipson said after the game. "We had to hear the noise. We heard all of the chatter about how they're the best defense. I don't think that's a question no more, obviously.
"But that's the biggest thing for us. We wanted to come out here and show that we are a Super Bowl team. And that's our statement, and we came out here, we did just that."
What does the national media think about the Niners' roster compared to the rest of the league? Below is a sample of some of the more prominent power rankings around the web and where San Francisco currently stands within each. As always, the highest rankings are listed first.
The Athletic
Current Ranking: 1
Previous Rank: 1
"Should we do Sam Darnold here? San Francisco beat Dallas so badly Sunday night that Darnold got into the game, but no, this section is just going to be a 49ers appreciation post since the Niners don't have any newcomers making a significant impact. Being the best team in the NFL in mid-October is not the goal, but Brock Purdy's 123.1 passer rating would be the highest for any quarterback in a season since at least 2000, according to TruMedia, and there's no indication San Francisco will slow down." — Josh Kendall
Bleacher Report
Current Ranking: 1
Previous Rank: 1
"If there was any doubt who the best team in the NFL is at this moment, it was shattered on Sunday night. The 49ers took on a Dallas Cowboys team that was considered among the best in the NFC—and completely dominated. Offensively, the Niners piled up 421 yards of total offense. Brock Purdy threw four touchdown passes, including three to tight end George Kittle. Defensively, the team allowed under 200 yards of offense and eight first downs and turned Dallas over four times. ... It was a statement win. A message to the Philadelphia Eagles and the rest of the NFC. Because when the Niners play like that, they are nearly impossible to beat." — NFL Staff
CBS Sports
Current Ranking: 1
Previous Rank: 1
"There is no doubt they are the league's best team. Brock Purdy is for real as they come off a dominating showing against Dallas." — Pete Prisco
ESPN
Current Ranking: 1
Previous Rank: 1
"Fantasy surprise: QB Brock Purdy. It's hard to call this a surprise given how Purdy played down the stretch last season, but he has posted the fifth most fantasy points by a quarterback this season -- ahead of Patrick Mahomes! He's even scored a pair of rushing touchdowns. The only real knock on Purdy fantasywise is that he and the Niners have made such a habit of jumping all over their opponents that he hasn't had many opportunities to compile big numbers for all four quarters." — Nick Wagoner
NFL.com
Current Ranking: 1
Previous Rank: 1
"If there were Brock Purdy doubters still lingering, Sunday night should have muzzled those folks a bit. The 49ers are just clicking right now offensively, and as long as Purdy has a healthy Four Horsemen -- CMC, Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle and Deebo Samuel -- it's going to be lights out against most defenses. Kyle Shanahan seemed to be having a blast, emptying the bag against a highly touted Dallas defense. But it's also time to trumpet the achievements of San Francisco's D, which hasn't missed too many beats since DeMeco Ryans left the coordinator post. The Niners lead the league in turnover differential (+7, tied with Tampa Bay) and points allowed per game (13.6). They might not be unbeatable, but it's going to take a pretty strong effort to get them right now." — Eric Edholm
Pro Football Network
Current Ranking: 1
Previous Rank: 1
"Some question whether Brock Purdy is talented enough to win a Super Bowl. But this team was a play away a few years ago. Purdy very clearly adds a level of explosiveness that Jimmy Garoppolo could not, and the efficiency remains sky-high. The 49ers took what looked to be a strong Cowboys team and thoroughly disemboweled them on national television on Sunday Night Football. Purdy was unbothered by the Cowboys' pass rush, and the Cowboys' secondary didn't have the talent to stick with the 49ers' weapons." — Dalton Miller
Pro Football Talk
Current Ranking: 1
Previous Rank: 1
"The dominant 49ers will be in plenty of boring games this year. But not boring for their fans." — Mike Florio
The Ringer
Current Ranking: 1
Previous Rank: 1
"The 49ers simply have too many good players and too good of an offensive play caller to fail. Running back Christian McCaffrey and offensive tackle Trent Williams both look like the best players in the league at their respective positions, and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is taking the leap in a contract year. Deebo Samuel and George Kittle are still running wild. Throw in Fred Warner as linebacker at the head of a defense that's seemingly maintained all momentum despite losing defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans, and I just don't see how this team isn't playing February football. It's Super Bowl or bust (again) for Shanahan's 49ers." — Austin Gayle
Sporting News
Current Ranking: 1
Previous Rank: 1
"Brock Purdy is clicking with all of his receivers, with George Kittle's turn to explode on the Cowboys on Sunday night. Christian McCaffrey is still doing his thing behind a top offensive line. The defense is loaded on every level. Now the question is how long can they stay undefeated? They just might be perfect going into the epic Dec. 3 matchup with the No. 2 team." — Vinnie Iyer
Sports Illustrated
Current Ranking: 1
Previous Rank: 1
"At this moment in time, the 49ers are one of the most unstoppable offensive teams I've ever seen. Watching them against a very representative Dallas defense solidified as much for me. This is what happens when a great offensive coach gets his hands on a glut of weapons. Just go back to Sunday and watch how, on each play, one movement completely and irrevocably shifts the defense in a way that unlocks a second door. Brock Purdy, like a wind-up toy, immediately pivots to the place where the opening is going to exist and fires a perfect pass. I know what you're going to say: this, Conor, is how offenses work. And I understand that. But San Francisco simply has an answer to everything. Even pressure. Brock Purdy is feeling the pocket better than he ever has in his career. George Kittle's first touchdown from last night is evidence." — Conor Orr
Touchdown Wire
Current Ranking: 1
Previous Rank: 2
"I struggle to find anyone who will beat this 49ers team. Obviously, it's very doubtful they win every game, but if any team can, it's them. The embarrassment of riches on this team has been noteworthy for multiple seasons, but this is the strongest they've looked in north of 20 years. This could finally be the year it all comes together." — Jarrett Bailey
USA Today
Current Ranking: 1
Previous Rank: 1
"What else is there to say about a team that's been in the top spot since the season started? S.F.'s +99 point differential is already 20 better than the next team. Probably have the best defense (though that can be settled at Cleveland on Sunday). Might have the best offense. Stars on basically every unit. And second-year QB Brock Purdy continues to effectively play mistake-free football, his league-leading 123.1 passer rating testament to that." — Nate Davis
Yahoo! Sports
Current Ranking: 1
Previous Rank: 1
"The most important story in the NFL this season might be Brock Purdy turning into an asset. He's not just along for the ride. Watch Sunday's game. His processing, anticipation and accuracy are very good, and those skills are probably more important than the ability to throw a ball 80 yards downfield. The 49ers are easily the best team in the NFL right now and Purdy is a big reason for that." — Frank Schwab
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