The 49ers needed 12 weeks to do it, but they’ve climbed into the top five of the USA TODAY NFL power rankings. A 13-0 win over the Saints combined with a key injury for the Dolphins moved San Francisco up to No. 5, while Miami dropped to No. 6.
Interestingly, while the 49ers’ defense has grabbed the headlines with its bevy of weapons, their defense is what got them over the hump in the rankings. Via USA TODAY’s Nate Davis:
Their growing array of offensive weaponry in the past few weeks has been awfully tough to ignore. But the strength of this squad is a top-ranked defense that hasn’t given up a point after halftime since Week 7.
That defense and their run of scoreless second halves on the heels of a shutout against the Saints will get a sizable test Sunday against the Dolphins. How they perform in that game could wind up giving a very good gauge on the team’s chances to ride their defense to a deep playoff run.
Prior to the Dolphins, the Chiefs were the biggest test for the 49ers’ defense all year. Kansas City racked up 44 points in that game and got whatever they wanted offensively. Injuries might’ve played a role for San Francisco, but it was an eye-opening thumping for a defense that had been stellar to that point.
How they adjust against Miami will give some clue as to whether this is a defense making hay on mediocre offenses, or if they can limit explosive offenses enough to give their own slate of offensive playmakers a chance to work and win a game.
All that said, it’s still the offense that will need to hold up its end of the bargain down the stretch. One or two defensive hiccups can’t mean a loss for the 49ers. While all eyes may turn to the 49ers’ defense, it’s their offense that will keep them in the conversation with the rest of the league’s Super Bowl hopefuls.
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