Los Angeles Rams

NFL Power Rankings: 49ers Surge Up After 28-0 Week 1 Win over the Rams

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The San Francisco 49ers closed out Week 1 of the 2016 season with a dominant 28-0 victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football. Not surprisingly, the Niners push away from the very bottom of NFL power rankings.

Here’s a fun stat line for you — the San Francisco 49ers are in first place within the NFC West and also boast the NFL’s best defense, having pitched the only shutout in Week 1.

Yes, we are talking about the Niners’ 28-0 dominant victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football. Los Angeles was atrocious on offense, and any attempts to get standout running back Todd Gurley going were quickly snuffed out.

Meanwhile, 49ers tailback Carlos Hyde looked a lot like he did a year ago when he had a two-touchdown performance on MNF against the Minnesota Vikings.

While the quarterbacking play from both sides wasn’t particularly inspiring, the Niners can take comfort knowing their offensive and defensive lines dominated the line of scrimmage.

As such, the Niners climb up out of the very bottom in the latest NFL power rankings. Let’s look at what experts from around the league had to say.

Elliot Harrison, NFL.com: No. 24 (+7)

Major ascension for the 49ers, climbing seven rungs in the Power Rankings ladder behind a dominating performance on both sides of the line of scrimmage. The ground game was firing on all cylinders. The front seven gave Todd Gurley no seams, with safety Eric Reid often coming down into the box moments before disrupting the play or settling matters himself. Blaine Gabbert hesitated on a few throws, yet was solid overall. Chip Kelly, everyone.

ESPN Stats & Information: No. 30 (+2)

Coach Chip Kelly sure knows how to make an entrance, but the 49ers dominated in Week 1 last season, too. A trip to Carolina in Week 2 will either knock the 49ers back down to Earth, or … most likely and literally knock them down to Earth.

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: No. 22 (+9)

That defense was impressive against the Rams. But let’s see what happens against Cam Newton this week.

USA Today Sports: No. 24 (+7)

Carlos Hyde and Co. have done their best work on back end of the “MNF” doubleheader last two years. Can they sustain it this time?

Sep 12, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde (28) celebrates after he scores a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams in the fourth quarter at Levi’s Stadium. The 49ers won 28-0. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports

Frank Schwab, Yahoo! Sports: No. 28 (+3)

If the 49ers could play the second game of the “Monday Night Football” doubleheader each week, they’d be the 1972 Dolphins.

Ryan Van Bibber, SB Nation: No. 29 (+1)

Nobody has as much reason to be embarrassed as Rams fans though. They traded a boatload of draft picks to move up to No. 1 this year and get Jared Goff, then they couldn’t even get him ready to be the backup in time for Week 1.

The 49ers defense was pretty good against a dominant running back, albeit one without a solid offensive line and zero passing help.

San Francisco’s own O-line did its job too.

But the reality check needs to settle in here a bit, folks. The Niners travel to the East Coast on a short week to take on a Carolina Panthers team, which played last Thursday — a full three days earlier than San Francisco.