NFL Power Rankings, Week 1: Dolphins hurt by trade talk, Bears look foolish

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - AUGUST 21: Tua Tagovailoa #1 of the Miami Dolphins warms up prior to a preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons at Hard Rock Stadium on August 21, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - AUGUST 21: Tua Tagovailoa #1 of the Miami Dolphins warms up prior to a preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons at Hard Rock Stadium on August 21, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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2021 NFL Power Rankings
San Francisco 49ers. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

team. 42. . . Previous: 17th. San Francisco 49ers. 17

The San Francisco 49ers seem set on playing Jimmy Garoppolo to start the season even after taking Trey Lance at No. 3 overall. While starting Lance would probably make them more explosive — while also helping them develop the youngster more quickly — they can at least say they have won with Garoppolo in the past. That’s something the Bears cannot boast, which is why it’s so confusing that Andy Dalton is the starter there.

Even so, the Niners wanted to see what Lance could do with the starters which could explain why they were rotating their two quarterbacks early on in the games, as stated by Peter Panacy of Niner Noise.

"“Garoppolo got the first snap, yes, and saw two such plays before giving way to Lance, who subsequently took one snap before Shanahan put Garoppolo back in. And Shanahan regularly rotated his quarterbacks over San Francisco’s opening drive. 49ers first-drive snaps Jimmy Garoppolo: 5 Trey Lance: 5 It seems Shanahan wanted to give his rookie at least a handful of snaps with the 49ers’ first-team offensive line, including left tackle Trent Williams and center Alex Mack, who hadn’t played in the Niners’ first two preseason games.” — Panacy, Niner Noise"

Regardless of the fact that Garoopolo did get them to the Super Bowl in the past, San Francisco is coming off a rough season. For that reason, sticking with the status quo could come back to haunt them.