2016 NFL Power Rankings Week 12: Rams Lose Jared Goff’s Debut

31. San Francisco 49ers (1-9)

The Niners’ game against the Patriots was actually close going into the fourth quarter, with the Niners trailing by just a field goal in the final frame. From there things went downhill after the Pats scored 17 points to close out the game, a deficit which the Niners were unable to overcome. Colin Kapernick threw for two scores and totaled 239 yards, but he was also sacked five times and had a hard time getting comfortable behind center.

There isn’t much to be optimistic about for the Niners these days. Kaepernick is not the answer for this team and his days in San Fran are likely numbered. That means the team will have to look to either the draft of free agency for help, and neither of those options are appealing. The defense has been one of the worst in the NFL and is badly missing NaVorro Bowman’s leadership, while the offense has few positives to speak of with its best player, running back Carlos Hyde, constantly getting hurt. It’s going to be a long, painful process in San Francisco for the next few years and head coach Chip Kelly has quite the project on his hands in fixing both sides of the ball.