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 Sunday night, 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. Combine that with Shanahan's offensive wizardry and an MVP-type start for quarterback Brock Purdy, and it's easy to understand why the 49ers sit atop my Power Rankings. Going to Seattle and beating the defending champs sends a loud message to the rest of the league.
As for Shanahan, his greatness as a coach might not truly be earned until he wins a Super Bowl. That's just the way it is. He came close when his Jimmy Garoppolo-led 49ers had a lead last against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII, only to see Patrick Mahomes rally to win it.
This team, provided it stays healthy, has a real shot at getting back there for Shanahan. For now, they are the league's best team with a schedule that might not be as tough as expected before the season. Plus, they already have victories over division rivals in the Rams and Seahawks.
This could be Shanahan's year to win one. The bottom of my rankings stays the same. The Miami Dolphins remain at No. 32, but the Tennessee Titans at No. 31 will give them a run for their money this season.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
