Of the Niners’ win and Draymond’s punch

So the 49ers played the way we’ve been waiting for them to play — meaning both efficiently and effectively — and people even were talking about them being the best team in the NFL.

When they weren’t talking about Draymond Green, whose defense is almost as famous as the Niners’ and whose rash behavior is just as infamous.

The debate this summer was whether the Warriors, with Green, Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, had by winning a fourth championship surpassed the 49ers as the most popular sporting franchise in the Bay Area.

It’s accepted that popularity is based on success. Over the last few years, no team other than the New England Patriots was as successful as the Warriors. You surmise that will outweigh Draymond’s moment of outrage. But apology or no apology, Green’s punch could have an effect.

For certain, the Niners, founded in San Francisco in 1946, always will have their followers to cheer in good times and grumble (and boo) in bad. And ironically and appropriately, these 49ers are developing into a very good team.

With their 37-15 romp Sunday over the Carolina Panthers, a team susceptible to being romped, they made a statement. Or perhaps updated a previous one.

The problem for the Niners was that they seemed to be losing players on injuries on virtually every down. Safety Jimmy Ward was gone early, pass rusher Nick Bosa later.

Niners coach Kyle Shanahan appeared as philosophical about the injuries (“They’re part of the game”) as he was ecstatic about the win, arguably tops in the league, but at last the offense in general and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo played well.

“We made plays,” said Shanahan. “Jimmy G looked like Jimmy Garoppolo. He kept drives alive.” Along with his running backs and receivers.

Shanahan kept using the word awesome. He’s allowed, if anybody is.

After the game, with Washington as the next opponent, the Niners flew not home but to the Greenbrier, a historic resort in West Virginia, where they stayed on a previous trip to the East Coast. ”We’ll be together,” said Shanahan. ”We like that.”

On Sunday, they very much liked Garoppolo (18 of 30, 253 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions) and liked his progress.

As is well known around Ninerville, Jimmy G, without a team of his own, was unable to take part in a preseason summer camp. Then, having joined the Niners as a backup, Garoppolo was forced to become a starter when Trey Lance broke his ankle.

“I thought he looked real good,” said Shanahan in what was an unneeded affirmation.

When you’re on a two-game win streak and moving into a 3-2 record, that’s not exactly an overstatement.

Every NFL team, particularly the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers, has fans on the road; the Niners had more than a few in Charlotte. “We knew they were there. It was great.”

The Cowboys also were winners, defeating the Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams, who the Niners defeated a week ago. Also in last year’s playoffs, the Niners kept Dallas from a shot at the championship.   

A few days ago, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, never one to remain silent, said he would love for a rematch. Most people would, including Draymond Green.