San Francisco 49ers

NFL Power Rankings: No Way But Up for the 49ers in Week 6

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

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The San Francisco 49ers didn’t make any headway in NFL power rankings entering Week 8 after dropping last week’s contest to an Arizona Cardinals team starting its backup quarterback. What are experts around the league saying about the Niners’ effort?

The San Francisco 49ers sitting towards the very bottom of NFL power rankings is becoming a weekly thing now, ever since their Week 1 (and only) victory this season.

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San Francisco dropped its Week 7 contest to the Arizona Cardinals 33-21 on Thursday Night Football and still managed to suffer from the same problems which have seemingly plagued them all season. And this was against backup quarterback Drew Stanton. Not Carson Palmer.

The Niners can’t stop the run, the offense is in shambles and something needs to change for head coach Chip Kelly’s squad.

It will entering Week 8.

Kelly announced the 49ers would be starting quarterback Colin Kaepernick over struggling signal-caller Blaine Gabbert as the team takes on the Buffalo Bills this Sunday.

Another change, albeit not as highlighted, features rookie Joshua Garnett taking over at right guard. The move was first reported by Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News.

Nevertheless, what are analysts saying about the Niners in this week’s NFL power rankings? Let’s guess there will be some Kaepernick and Gabbert mentions, to be sure.

Elliot Harrison, NFL.com: 29 (even)

Whispers … then rumors … Colin Kaepernick off the bench? More than a few folks are wondering when the former franchise quarterback will start to again garner headlines in the football — not social — sphere. Will Chip Kelly address the quarterback position soon? It’s certainly fair to question how much longer Blaine Gabbert will be the answer. Through five games this season, Gabbert is completing 58 percent of his passes while averaging a paltry 5.93 yards per attempt, and he’s tossed more interceptions (six) than touchdown passes (five). He’s motored out of the pocket well, but a sub-70 passer rating and 1-4 record won’t earn you a Fathead on some San Jose kid’s wall.

Aug 20, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly looks on in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN Stats & Information: 31 (even)

Is it time for Chip Kelly to make a quarterback change? Kelly has the 49ers moving at the fastest pace in the NFL, which might make the more mobile Colin Kaepernick a better fit than Blaine Gabbert, who currently leads all quarterbacks in rush attempts (39).

Cameron DaSilva, Fox Sports: 31 (even)

It’s about time Blaine Gabbert gets the boot. He’s at the bottom of the league in passer rating, yards per attempt and yards per game, and there’s no sign of him getting any better. Carlos Hyde might be the only significantly talented playmaker on offense, and even he can’t carry the team on his shoulders.

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: 31 (-2)

When do they make a quarterback change? It’s coming. It should be Colin Kaepernick time soon.

USA Today Sports: 30 (-1)

No NFC team is more ineffective defending run — yet another reason Chip Kelly needs to find way to get his passing attack in gear.

Chris Simms, Bleacher Report: 30 (-1)

Change the jerseys and leave Levi’s Stadium. What’s left?

A college football team. The level at which this 49ers squad is performing is on par with a lower-tier Pac-12 club.

The coach with Pac-12 ties isn’t the problem, either.

It’s Blaine Gabbert missing wide-open touchdowns and getting picked off twice. It’s Chris Davis fumbling a kickoff to set up the Cardinals for yet another score. It’s a running-into-the-kicker penalty that puts a short-handed defense back on the field. It’s drop after drop after drop.

This 49ers team was never going to out-talent opponents. If last Thursday night was any indication, it can’t out-execute opponents either.

OK, so change is coming. And it’s needed. But how much should one expect the 49ers to make grand improvements?

True, the added break between Thursday night and Week 8’s Sunday matchup should provide a decent amount of time for Kelly and Co. to prepare Kaepernick and the offense for these changes. And is Kap going to be a dramatic improvement over what Gabbert had to offer?