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The San Francisco 49ers have made a big move in Gambling911.com's 2009 Week 3 NFL Power Rankings. A win in Minnesota this week will almost certainly have the 49ers knocking on the door of the top 10.
San Francisco moved up from number 20 to number 16 following a 2-0 start. They beat Arizona on the road and Seattle last week at home. The 49ers still offered excellent value to win the 2010 Super Bowl, with payout odds at $3500 for every $100 bet at Sportsbetting.com.
Last week, Frank Gore had touchdown runs of 79 and 80 yards. Since 1940, the only other player to have multiple touchdown runs of more than 75 yards was Barry Sanders in 1997.
Gore finished with 207 yards rushing, the second-highest total in 49ers history. He ran for 212 yards in 2006, also against Seattle.
San Francisco is now 8-2 in their last 10 games dating back to last season.
The idea that the 49ers can end up in the 2010 Super Bowl is not too far fetched considering they beat the team in Week 1 that lost the championship game last season, the Arizona Cardinals. And to reiterate, the 49ers beat Arizona on the road. Last week, they dismantled the Seattle Seahawks, a team that shut out the St. Louis Rams just one week prior.
The 49ers' defense was dominant again this week, handing former 49ers defensive coordinator Mora his first loss since taking over this season for Mike Holmgren.
"For us it's too early to tell anything," Coach Mike Singletary said. "Last week was ugly, but I loved it. This week was ugly, but I loved it."
Shaun Hill is now 9-3 as a starter in San Francisco but he'll be put to the test this week with a game in Minnesota.
Favre, 8-1 lifetime versus San Francisco, is making his Metrodome debut as the Vikings' starting quarterback. The Vikings have won three straight at home over the 49ers, most recently a 35-7 victory Sept. 28, 2003.
A win or even a close loss in Minnesota will certainly go a long way towards proving San Francisco is a force to be reckoned with this season.
Christopher Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher
