ESPN NFL

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Arlan from Santa Clara writes back: I wanted to get your opinion on the power rankings. Though I dont agree on some of the rankings, I can see where most of them are coming from. What I don't understand in the power rankings is how the average ranking of the Broncos and Jets are higher than that of the Niners.

The Broncos and Jets have worse defenses, lost franchise/hall of fame quarterbacks (the Jets might start a rookie), they have new first-time head coaches and new coordinators. After all that, are they both that much better talent-wise than the Niners to be ranked higher? And in the case of the Jets, six spots higher?

Mike Sando: I suspect people are sleeping on the 49ers a little bit because the team made few high-profile moves this offseason. Declining to name a starting quarterback has also fueled the perception that the 49ers don't have one they like. While they would certainly like to have a clear franchise quarterback, they felt good enough about the position this offseason to stick with Shaun Hill and Alex Smith as the top two guys.

Sometimes the people with less knowledge about a situation wind up being correct. Perhaps those of us who ranked the 49ers higher are basing our evaluations on false assumptions. I think the 49ers are focused on structuring their offense and defense to make better use of the existing personnel, starting with the quarterback [probably Shaun Hill]. And I think that will lead to more consistent play, with fewer blown leads late in games.

The 49ers are better at receiver and running back this season. I'm not sure how much better they'll be at most other positions. Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. said he wouldn't be surprised if the 49ers won 10 games -- or lost 10 games -- this season.

Ten victories might surprise me more than 10 defeats, but I suspect the 49ers will come in around 8-8. Twenty-one teams finished last season with at least eight victories. My No. 19 ranking might come out OK if the 49ers were to finish .500.