The 49ers defense has made a name for itself through the first five games of the season, and people around the country are taking notice.
"I only care about two to three to four defenses in the NFL," NBC Sports fantasy analyst Josh Norris said. "Those are the ones that really matter when you're playing offensive players on your roster and I think this 49ers' defense is the second-best in the NFL, just behind the New England Patriots."
The Week 7 fantasy football rankings on ESPN have San Francisco's defense ranked in the third spot in their matchup against Washington on Sunday.
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"It makes sense, right, and this is kind of predictable heading into the season because of how many first-round picks the 49ers have spent along that front, with how talented they are at linebacker, and then the veteran presence they have in the back half," Norris said. "This week, the player I would play against them most likely would be Terry McLaurin. But the 49ers have allowed opposing teams to convert just one of 21 third downs in the past two weeks."
McLaurin is second only to former 49ers wide receiver Randy Moss for the most fantasy points in the first five games of his career. He would be the only guy the 49ers' defense has to worry about.
On the offensive side of the ball, the 49ers remain just as successful -- even without a true No. 1 receiver.
"It's huge," Norris explained. "I really think it makes Tevin Coleman and Matt Breida both startable in fantasy football. Tevin Coleman is like a Running Back 2, Matt Breida is your Running Back 3 in the flex spot."
San Francisco 49ers
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Norris details more about the offense in the video above.
Oh ... and he says it's not too early to consider the 49ers as Super Bowl contenders.