NFL Power Rankings: Where the Reloaded 49ers Stand After a Bye Week originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
For some teams, it’s time to start booking those off-season flights to Cancun.
Yes, I’m talking about you, the New Orleans Saints, the Miami Dolphins and the Dallas Cowboys. You can try reversing your seasons, but the writing is on the wall.
Week 9 featured two overtime thrillers, a stunt show that has to be seen to be believed, and heated division battles that lived up to the hype. All this while the 49ers and Pittsburgh Steelers watched from their couches.
Here’s where San Francisco stands before “Monday Night Football”:
32. Carolina Panthers (last week: 32)
Registration: 2-7
Bryce Young has played quite well over the past two weeks since returning as a starter and delivered a thrilling win late on. This is excellent news for a young quarterback who has had a difficult journey, but who seems to have his head on his shoulders.
31. New England Patriots (last week: 29)
Registration: 2-7
For the second week in a row, a rookie quarterback scored a game-clinching touchdown as time expired. Except Drake Maye’s wasn’t as epic. However, it remains impressive. Unfortunately for New England, it ended in a heavy overtime defeat.
30. Tennessee Titans (last week: 31)
Recording: 2-6
Titans vs. Patriots. A very stopped force encounters a very moving object. A great victory in overtime while Mason Rudolph continues to rely on Tony Pollard.
29. New York Giants (last week: 30)
Registration: 2-7
Daniel Jones finished the first half completing 4 of 6 pass attempts for ZERO yards and a touchdown. Really amazing stuff. This touchdown was also his first home touchdown in 672 days. The comeback attempt was too little, too late.
28. Las Vegas Raiders (last week: 28)
Registration: 2-7
There was no stylish tanking this week, at least on the defensive side of the ball. One week closer to a top draft pick.
27. Jacksonville Jaguars (last week: 27)
Registration: 2-7
What week will Doug Pederson be fired? No doubt he will be the first. It’s only a matter of time. They had a chance to complete the comeback in the second half, but the $55 million man Trevor Lawrence he didn’t have it in him. Has he ever done it?
26. New Orleans Saints (last week: 26)
Registration: 2-7
That’s it, friends! After a once promising start, the season is over for Derek Carr and Co., who have lost seven straight games.
25. Cleveland Browns (last week: 25)
Registration: 2-7
James Winston threw his 100th career interception. Then he threw his 101st. Then he threw his 102nd. That’s exactly what he’s going to do, they have to live with it. He won’t win penalties every week.
24. Miami Dolphins (last week: 23)
Recording: 2-6
They put up a hell of a fight against the mighty Bills, but unfortunately for the Dolphins, De’Von Achane I can’t play defense. It’s going to be difficult to turn things around this season.
23. New York Jets (last week: 24)
Recording: 3-6
A huge victory against a very good opponent. I still have big doubts, but the offense and defense both lived up to their potential. They face an uphill battle to get back into playoff contention.
22. Dallas Cowboys (last week: 17)
Recording: 3-5
Things fell apart in Big D. Now Dak Prescott is injured. Someone’s going to get fired this week, right?
21. Indianapolis Colts (last week: 22)
Recording: 4-5
Skip to Joe Flacco It was the right decision. Him and the running back Jonathan Taylor I happened to come across the buzzsaw that is the Vikings defense this week.
20. Cincinnati Bengals (last week: 21)
Recording: 4-5
Joe Burrow did what he’s been doing all season. There’s no doubt about the offensive potential, but can the defense improve? A necessary victory over a bad team.
19. Seattle Seahawks (last week: 18)
Recording: 4-5
Geno Smith gives, Geno Smith takes back. Geno Smith gives, Geno Smith takes away. He has a bit of Jameis Winston in him, and for that, they should move on in the offseason.
18. Chicago Bears (last week: 14)
Recording: 4-4
Two weeks in a row Caleb Williams and the Bears offense looks bad. There will still be ups and downs to follow, that’s normal. Can the defense step in and carry them? Today, that is not the case.
17. Denver Broncos (last week: 15)
Recording: 5-4
Bo Nix caught a touchdown pass on Denver’s version of the “Philly Special.” It’s fun to watch, even if it’s ugly at times. Denver, however, likely won’t stick with the big boys down the stretch.
16. Arizona Cardinals (last week: 19)
Recording: 5-4
Neither Kyler Murray, Marvin Harrison neither Trey McBride are the engine that makes this attack work. It is James Conner and the racing game, which can be random. This week it hit hard. Next week? Who knows.
15. Los Angeles Rams (last week: 20)
Recording: 4-4
The NFC West, in my opinion, has two legitimate playoff contenders. The Rams, as long as Matthew Stafford and its weapons remain healthy and are not ejected during the game, are part of it. The others (will be) the 49ers.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (last week: 13)
Recording: 4-4 (Monday Night Football)
A meeting with the reigning champions without Mike Evans And Chris Godwin. Good luck, Mayfield Baker. You will need it.
13. Los Angeles Chargers (last week: 16)
Record: 5-3
Justin Herbert shredded a good Browns defense. I’ve been sounding the alarm about his weapons in the passing game, but that doesn’t seem to matter. He succeeds. A nice rebound for JK Dobbins.
12. San Francisco 49ers (last week: 12)
Recording: 4-4 (Goodbye week)
They enjoyed a well-deserved week off, where Christian McCaffrey I should wait for them on the other side. Is it time for the 49ers’ annual second half?
11. Houston Texans (last week: 8)
Record: 6-3
Something wrong CJ Stroud. He has enough talent around him to overcome the loss of Steve Diggsbut at the moment Joe Mixon is the only reliable element of the offense.
10. Green Bay Packers (last week: 10)
Record: 6-3
It was clear Jordan Love was in pain. It’s tough to come away with a win against a team as dominant as the Lions. It was a huge match, so I understand him trying to play it. The bye week couldn’t have come at a better time.
9. Atlanta Falcons (last week: 11)
Record: 6-3
Stay warm, Kirk Cousins. Spend a day, Bijan Robinson. The vibes are great in Atlanta. This is the Falcons’ division to lose.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers (last week: 7)
Record: 6-2 (Goodbye week)
The defense continues to be unleashed, and Russell Wilson seems to have gone back in time. They have a really good thing going right now, but a very busy schedule awaits them after the bye week.
7. Washington Commanders (last week: 9)
Record: 7-2
Jayden Daniels keeps doing Jayden Daniels things. Can he lead the ‘Manders through a tough stretch ahead against NFC East opponents?
6. Minnesota Vikings (last week: 5)
Record: 6-2
Sam Darnold’s is going to make his stupid mistakes, like he did in this match. But if you have the defense to stabilize you, like them, these choices won’t be backbreaking. Overall a decent night for the companion.
5. Baltimore Ravens (last week: 6)
Record: 6-3
Lamar Jackson continues to do it with his arm, as a big “fuck you” to the many teams that doubted his passing ability over the years. East Derrick Henri the favorite for the title of offensive player of the year?
4. Philadelphia Eagles (last week: 4)
Record: 6-2
Saquon Barkley continued to prove that he is not from this planet. Jalen hurts and the offense continued to roll. The Birds are looking really good right now, but let’s see if they can keep it up all season.
3. Buffalo Bills (last week: 3)
Record: 7-2
Josh Allen performed some magic and distributed the ball evenly to all his receivers without Amari Cooper.
2. Detroit Lions (last week: 2)
Record: 7-1
Jared Goff is playing the best football of his career and the defense continues to improve. They are the clear favorites to represent the NFC in the Super Bow LIX against the…
1. Kansas City Chiefs (last week: 1)
Record: 7-0 (Monday Night Football)
Barring a heroic effort from the opposing team, Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs should improve to 8-0 against a struggling Bucs team.
