NFL Power Rankings Week 6: 49ers are league's best team, Packers climb 10 spots
The San Francisco 49ers have secured the top spot in the latest NFL power rankings following a strong 5-0 start. The article highlights the team's defensive improvements under coordinator Raheem Morris and the leadership of coach Kyle Shanahan.
Why it matters
The 49ers are currently viewed as the primary Super Bowl contenders, reflecting the competitive landscape of the 2026 NFL season.
San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan hasn't won a Super Bowl. That doesn't mean he isn't a great coach.
If last season, in which he won 12 games with an injury-ravaged team, didn't prove how good he is at leading the 49ers, this year is doing just that.
The 49ers are 5-0 after going to Seattle and beating the Seahawks on Sunday, doing it with a defense leading the charge, rather than the Shanahan-led offense.
The 49ers limited the Seattle running attack, forced four turnovers, one of which was recovered in the end zone for a touchdown, and had five sacks, the most they've had in a game since 2024. They did it without star pass rusher Nick Bosa.
First-year defensive coordinator Raheem Morris is using a much more aggressive scheme than past Shanahan coordinators, and it's showing up in takeaways and sacks. The coverage is tighter.
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