Low Expectations: 49ers Hit Bottom Of Preseason Rankings
(CBS SF) -- The expectations for the San Francisco 49ers going into the 2016 NFL season are not only low, they are at the bottom according to one preseason ranking.
In the ESPN Preseason Power Rankings released on Wednesday, the 49ers showed at No. 32 - dead last in the league.
The 49ers, just three seasons removed from an NFC title game appearance and four seasons from a Super Bowl appearance, were also ranked second-to-last in the NFL.com Power Rankings last week.
On the other hand, the Oakland Raiders are rising ... starting off the preseason at No. 11 in the ESPN rankings, which is up a couple of spots from ESPN's prior rankings just after the 2016 NFL Draft.
The 2016 regular season begins on Thursday, September 8 with the NFL champion Denver Broncos hosting the team they beat in Super Bowl 50, the Carolina Panthers.
The Raiders will open the season Sunday, September 11 against the Saints in New Orleans. The 49ers begin the regular season at Levi's Stadium on Monday, September 12 against the Los Angeles Rams.
