The San Francisco 49ers are off to their best start since 1990. The team currently sits at 7-0 following a 51-13 victory over the Carolina Panthers. Members of various media outlets noticed the team's definitive win.

Here's where San Francisco stands entering Week 9:

Dan Hanzus, NFL.com: 2 (Last Week: 3)

"Absolute dominance on Sunday by the 49ers, who welcomed the red-hot Panthers to their house and promptly crushed their spirits. This is what the great teams do, and week after week, we're seeing that San Francisco should be viewed through that prism. Tevin Coleman was the big star on offense, piling up four touchdowns (three on the ground) in the best game of his career. The standout on defense was rookie defensive end Nick Bosa, who finished with three sacks and an acrobatic leaping interception that he nearly returned for a score. Bosa has removed all doubt from the Defensive Rookie of the Year race -- and now you have to start thinking of Bosa as a very real candidate for Defensive Player of the Year. Lawrence Taylor (1981) is the only rookie to win DPOY, and Bosa's impact on the Niners is similar to LT's on those Giants. Every team needs a Bosa boy."

The MMQB Staff, Sports Illustrated: 2 (Last Week: 2)

"With each passing week, the crowd of naysayers grows a bit smaller. This week, the run game shone; Tevin Coleman (105 yards, 3 TDs), Raheem Mostert, Matt Breida and interloper Deebo Samuel combined for 229 yards and five touchdowns on the ground."

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: 2 (Last Week: 2)

"They are the real deal. That defense is special and they can run the heck out of the ball. That's a good combination."

Lindsay Jones, The Athletic: 2 (Last Week: 3)

"The 49ers climb continues, up one more spot after dismantling the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. San Francisco's 51-13 victory was as dominant a performance as we've seen all season. We love that the 49ers can win a game one week when scoring just nine points and pile on the points a week later."

Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk: 2 (Last Week 2)

"How can the best offense in the NFL get even better? Give Nick Bosa some reps at tight end."

Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: 2 (Last Week: 3)

"The 49ers are pushing for top spot consideration; dropping 50 points on a good Panthers team will do that. There's no more questioning that they are a complete team and a threat to win it all, and they will only get better when they get healthier."

Nate Davis, USA Today Sports: 2 (Last Week: 4)

"You can probably start chiseling Nick Bosa's name onto the defensive rookie of the year trophy ... and maybe the defensive player of the year trophy, too"

NFL Staff, Bleacher Report: 3 (Last Week: 3)

"There are statement wins. Then there are statement wins. And then there's the mud hole the San Francisco 49ers stomped the Carolina Panthers into on Sunday afternoon. This game was all but over before it started. It was 14-3 by the end of the first quarter and 27-3 at halftime. The 49ers dominated the contest in every category imaginable. They out gained the Panthers by over 150 yards, racked up an impressive 232 yards on the ground, piled up seven sacks and forced three turnovers. It was as dominant an effort as we've seen from any team in the NFL this year, and it came against a Panthers squad that had won four straight entering Week 8. San Francisco continues to dominate in the trenches. Its defensive line is the league's best, and it has a beautifully designed ground attack. Head coach Kyle Shanahan and Co. are gunning for the No. 1 overall spot."

Frank Schwab, Yahoo Sports: 3 (Last Week: 3)

"The Emmanuel Sanders acquisition will help, and the Niners should still be asking around for more receiver help. They're a Super Bowl contender. You don't know when that window closes."

NFL Nation Staff, ESPN.com: 2 (Last Week: 3)