49ers not worthy?

Jeff Curry of US Presswire posted a short article/question on NFL.com about the obscurity of who is the 2nd best team in the NFC with commentary from NFL.com and NFL Network analysts:

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d823a56df/article/pack-mentality-who-is-nfcs-secondbest-team-to-green-bay?module=HP11_content_stream.

Steve Wyche has the right idea by choosing the 49ers, but lets get to them later and begin by analyzing the NFC teams that the analysts chose to represent the NFC behind the Packers. The Saints just lost to one of the worst teams in the NFL after beating the poop out of THE worst team in the NFL (Colts) and have a losing record on the road 2-3.  In 2 of the last 3 games the Lions have proven to be inconsistent; except against a weary Broncos team and their "superman" Tebow. The Giants lost to Seattle and barely pulled out a win versus the Dolphins last week, showing that they can be inconsistent on both sides of the ball. The Eagles, although extremely talented and fast, lack the Defense to  stop a team's offense (with exception to the Cowboys apparently). Now, lets get to the 49ers.

 Although they "only" beat the Browns by 10 points, Jeff Curry fails to associate the Browns with any sort of proficiency as an NFL team and doesn't understand that a win is a win. Defensively, the Browns rank 5th in yards allowed per game and 8th in total points allowed per game. Although the Browns have only beaten the bottom of the NFL barrel (MIA, SEA, and IND), their defense has allowed them to remain in each and every game. So to say that the 49ers "did just enough" to beat the Browns is an asinine comment in my opinion. The game was much more difficult then Curry realizes.

Through week 7 the 49ers were the most efficient team on both offense and defense1. They have beaten playoff bound teams such as the Lions (6-2) , Eagles (3-4), Buccaneers (4-3), and Bengals (5-2), three of which came on the road. Through week 8 they sport the league's #2 Turnover ratio, are ranked #6 in points scored per game, #1 in points allowed, and #3 in net points. All of the mentioned stats are better than the Saints which were mentioned by several NFL.com and NFL Network analysts as being #2 in the NFC. Not to mention that the Niners have the second best winning percentage in the NFL (85.7%) behind the Packers. The 49ers, stat-wise and record wise are an elite NFL team and ARE #2 in the NFC and quite possibly the second best team in the NFL. The only exception could be between the now red-hot Steelers and the ever-dangerous Patriots. I would include Baltimore in the discussion but the inconsistency of their offense leaves me a skeptic. Regarding PIT and NE I guess we will find out who is better later down the road, especially when the 49ers play host to the Steelers on Monday Night (Week 15). 

1.  http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/kerry_byrne/10/26/49ers.coaching/index.html