The San Francisco 49ers started the season with an impressive 5-0 record but have hit a rough patch, enduring three consecutive losses and falling behind the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC West standings. Their most recent defeat came on their home turf, Levi's Stadium, where the Cincinnati Bengals won 31-17.
After averaging an impressive 33.4 points per game in their first five matchups, the 49ers have mustered only 17 points in each of their last three games. This team's recent struggles have left fans and analysts alike wondering if the early hype surrounding San Francisco, the Super Bowl favorite just weeks ago, was unwarranted.
The 49ers' defense, under the guidance of defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, has come under intense scrutiny. The team has allowed an average of 395.3 total yards per game to opponents during this three-game losing streak, prompting questions surrounding Wilks' competence. After all, he inherited last season's top-ranked defense, a unit that added defensive tackle Javon Hargrave this offseason and was expected to maintain its dominant play.
Heading into the bye week, the 49ers have a chance to regroup. They hope to emerge from the time off with a Week 10 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, breaking the current losing streak.
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.
Current Ranking: 3
Previous Rank: 3
"More concerning than the poor blocking and the rut Brock Purdy seems to be in are the defensive breakdowns. A well-designed fake bubble screen in which Ja'Marr Chase presented himself as a blocker before darting upfield handed the 49ers a knockout blow the team simply couldn't recover from. A bye week is coming at the perfect time, and while I can't imagine this slide is anything more than a good moment for reflection, San Francisco should understand the value of adding a piece or two to the secondary or the pass rush at the deadline." — Conor Orr
The Ringer
Current Ranking: 5
Previous Rank: 3
"Given how dominant their first five weeks were, I don't think anyone could have predicted a three-game losing streak for the 49ers. Having said that, I think some of the angst is misguided. Quarterback Brock Purdy had untimely turnovers in their loss to the Bengals, but he also threw for 365 yards and ran for 57. I think the offense will be fine, especially once they get star left tackle Trent Williams and receiver Deebo Samuel back from injury. The defense? Now that's another story. The Vikings and Bengals have gone up and down the field with ease against San Francisco the past two weeks. It's a long season, but the 49ers need to get their defensive issues solved coming out of the bye in Week 9." — Austin Gayle
USA Today
Current Ranking: 5
Previous Rank: 3
"Here's an insane stat about this club. Since HC Kyle Shanahan took over in 2017, San Francisco is 0-37 when trailing by eight or more points in the fourth quarter." — Nate Davis
The Athletic
Current Ranking: 6
Previous Rank: 5
"After starting 5-0, the 49ers have lost three in a row for the first time since October 2021. Brock Purdy is 26th in the league in passer rating (77.9) during the losing streak. In Weeks 1-5, he led the league in passer rating (123.1) Having offensive tackle Trent Williams (ankle) and wide receiver Deebo Samuel (shoulder) out again Sunday didn't help the top-heavy Niners. (Of course, San Francisco fans shouldn't fret too much. That 2021 team went to the NFC Championship Game.)" — Josh Kendall
Pro Football Talk
Current Ranking: 6
Previous Rank: 5
"That win over the Cowboys seems like it was a very long time ago." — Mike Florio
Current Ranking: 7
Previous Rank: 3
"On the whole, 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy has done more good than bad this season. He has passed for 2,033 yards, 12 touchdowns and a 68.3% completion percentage with two rushing touchdowns. Purdy was the ideal point guard the first five weeks, distributing the ball to his playmakers, making the occasional off-schedule play and, most importantly, taking care of the ball. While those first two attributes have continued, Purdy's ball security has taken a turn for the worse with all five of his interceptions this season, including four in opponents' territory, coming over the past three weeks. Perhaps not coincidentally, the Niners have lost all three games." — Nick Wagoner
Yahoo! Sports
Current Ranking: 7
Previous Rank: 3
"In hindsight, it was the wrong decision to let Brock Purdy play six days after suffering a concussion, with a bye coming up. Purdy didn't look right, he banged his head again, and the only thing his poor day did was increase the doubts about his long-term viability." — Frank Schwab
NFL.com
Current Ranking: 8
Previous Rank: 3
"During San Francisco's first two losses, in Cleveland and Minnesota, it felt like the 49ers were a good team grinding through a rough patch. Sunday's home defeat to the Bengals made them look vulnerable for the first time this season. Between Brock Purdy's turnover spree and a defense that suddenly can't get off the field in big spots, San Francisco is dealing with multiple new issues. I don't know if the Niners can suddenly rediscover their clutch gene; either way, the Week 9 bye might be hitting at the right time. It's pretty rare to lose three straight regular-season games and go on to win a Super Bowl, but the Rams did it a couple years ago. Though the 49ers have crashed hard, their early-season dominance backs up a potential rebound scenario. For now, we're hanging onto them, just not as tightly as before." — Eric Edholm
Sporting News
Current Ranking: 8
Previous Rank: 4
"The 49ers have hit a low with a three-game losing streak. It's all tied to Brock Purdy coming down to earth and making more mistakes than big plays. He is still using his weapons well but they do miss Deebo Samuel. The bigger question is, what happened to the defense dominating?" — Vinnie Iyer
Touchdown Wire
Current Ranking: 9
Previous Rank: 4
"It's becoming 'Purdy' clear that the 49ers just have a guy at quarterback. They've now lost three straight and have a trip to Duval after the bye week." — Jarrett Bailey
Current Ranking: 10
Previous Rank: 5
"The 49ers' young quarterback is falling apart. Brock Purdy got a taste of adversity a few games ago, and it became his best friend over the past few games. The once impossibly efficient San Francisco offense has stalled out, and their once sturdy defense has shown cracks that we didn't know existed before their three-game skid." — Dalton Miller
Bleacher Report
Current Ranking: 11
Previous Rank: 4
"After starting the season 5-0, the 49ers have lost three straight after being outclassed at home by the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. Over the first five games of the season, the Niners outscored opponents by almost 20 points per game and quarterback Brock Purdy didn't throw an interception. Over the last three weeks, Purdy has been picked off five times—and San Francisco is winless." — NFL Staff
CBS Sports
Current Ranking: 11
Previous Rank: 5
"They've suddenly become a team that can't stop anybody. What's wrong with the defense? They have the bye to figure it out this week." — Pete Prisco
