The San Francisco 49ers remain the NFL's top-ranked team after a 32-29 road win over the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field.
The victory moved San Francisco to 5-0, with its defense forcing four turnovers and recording five sacks despite missing Nick Bosa.
According to CBS Sports, the win showed the 49ers can win with defense leading the way.
The team also holds a two-game lead in the NFC West, according to 49ers. com.
Defense Drives Undefeated Start
San Francisco's defense has changed under first-year coordinator Raheem Morris, who has installed a more aggressive approach.
CBS Sports reported the unit has combined improved coverage with increased takeaways and pressure.
"There's something special cooking within San Francisco's defense, a unit that has every excuse to be average, at best, but continues to exceed expectations," according to NFL.
com.
NFL.
com also highlighted the defense's ability to limit explosive plays while noting some consistency issues on third downs.
Under Morris, the Niners rank fifth in yards per play allowed at 4.7 and have limited big plays as well as any team in the league, according to 49ers.
com.
However, they rank 20th in third-down defense, giving up a first down on 40.8% of opportunities.
As a result, their defense has been on the field for 31 minutes, 12 seconds per game, which ranks 23rd in the NFL.
San Francisco also received recognition for winning despite a quieter offensive performance from quarterback Brock Purdy in Seattle.
The team has defeated the Rams, Seahawks and Broncos this season, according to NFL. com.
"They showed in Seattle they can win a game even when the offense isn't rolling up big numbers," according to 49ers.
com. "That's a good sign going forward since the defense has a lot of young players."
The rankings coverage noted the 49ers have a strong overall record because their defense has complemented an offense featuring Purdy and veteran playmakers.
"No team has a better resume than the 49ers, who overcame a rare so-so game from Brock Purdy in Seattle," according to 49ers.
com.
"This time, it was San Francisco's defense that led the way, limiting the Seahawks to just 4.2 yards per play.
Oh, and Mike Evans and George Kittle certainly do not look like they are 33 years old."
San Francisco's road win over the defending Super Bowl champions strengthened its position at the top of multiple NFL rankings.
The team will next prepare for its first primetime game of the season against the Washington Commanders, according to 49ers.
com.
"The 49ers barely hung on against the Seahawks and needed an unlikely drop by Seattle WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba to seal it, but don't get bogged down by the details: They're still undefeated and they've now beaten the defending champs, the Broncos and the Rams," according to 49ers.
com.
"They're doing it with a stingy defense and an offense that's hard to stop.
They have it all, at least more than any other team in the NFL can say."
"And if you're waiting for them to fall, don't expect it to happen until they face the Seahawks again right after Thanksgiving.
If they can hold their battered roster together, they could be 10-0 by then."
"Stat To Know: The 49ers are 3-0 against the Broncos, Seahawks and Rams this season, becoming the first team since the 1981 Broncos to record three wins in their first five games against teams that reached a conference championship game the previous season."
Mike Evans had seven receptions for 113 yards and a touchdown against Seattle, while Deebo Samuel Sr. suffered a hamstring injury in the second half, according to 49ers.
com.
"The San Francisco 49ers won't move in our power rankings.
They were No. 1 last week, and then went on the road to knock off the reigning Super Bowl champions," according to 49ers.
com.
"This past offseason, the 49ers signed Mike Evans, who hasn't aged past his prime.
The Seattle Seahawks pass defense gave up the fewest yards entering Week 5, yet it couldn't stop the 33-year-old, who caught seven passes for 113 yards and a touchdown."
"Deebo Samuel Sr. suffered a hamstring injury in the second half. So, the 49ers may need to bring in reinforcements at receiver.
Despite the cluster of injuries at that position, they're the best team in the NFL."
