NFL power rankings: Where 49ers sit after beating Bears originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SANTA CLARA – Some of these teams still think they have a chance. That’s cute.
As the battle for playoff seeding intensifies, so does the not-so-elegant race to the bottom.
With four weeks left in the 2024 regular season, there isn’t much these teams can do to surprise us.
Here the 49ers sit after a 38-13 win over the Chicago Bears and heading into Week 15.
32. New York Giants (Last week: 32)
Record: 2-11
Not worth my time. It’s not worth your time. Next.
31. Las Vegas Raiders (Last week: 30)
Record: 2-11
There’s a Raiders fan somewhere starting his version of the Browns quarterback list jersey. It’s starting to take quite a while after the past two seasons. Stay the course, lose games and choose a new one in the spring.
30. Jacksonville Jaguars (Last week: 31)
Balance: 3-10
This wasn’t a game you wanted to win against another bottom feeder. Mac Jones did everything he could to lose, but the Jacksonville defense chose the wrong time to show up.
29. Tennessee Titans (Last week: 28)
Balance: 3-10
To go against a defense as terrible as Jacksonville’s and score just six points takes skill. A truly impressive, if crude, dedication to the tank.
28. New England Patriots (Last week: 29)
Balance: 3-10 (Day week)
If two words describe the Patriots of 2024, it’s “ethical tanking.” When you try your best, but it’s just not enough. Respectable.
27. Cleveland Browns (Last week: 26)
Balance: 3-10
When Jameis Winston said he “praying that the Lord delivers me from pick-sixes,” he wasn’t talking about interceptions in general. He will never be able to escape that.
26. New York Jets (Last week: 25)
Balance: 3-10
The last time the Jets made the playoffs (2010), Aaron Rodgers won his one and only Super Bowl the following year. Now, 13 years later, misery still loves company.
25. Carolina Panthers (Last week: 27)
Balance: 3-10
Another impressive performance for Bryce Young and Carolina against an elite team. Xavier Legette’s fall may have stung, but it will benefit draft positioning.
24. Chicago Bears (Last week: 23)
Balance: 4-9
I really think Caleb Williams could be the man. Really and truly. But this season threatens to be a big disappointment. The organization needs to do some research in the low season.
23. New Orleans Saints (Last week: 24)
Balance: 5-8
You can get away with Derek Carr as bridge quarterback for another year. Max. But it’s time to look at the design, because it’s already long overdue. Anyone with value, of which there isn’t much, should be traded this offseason.
22. Dallas Cowboys (Last week: 22)
Balance: 5-8
With Rico Dowdle running wild, Cooper Rush and this offense should be able to hang in most games. However, their defense won’t do that.
21. Cincinnati Bengals (Last week: 21)
Balance: 5-8
The connection between Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase is the best in football, and not particularly close. Cincy’s very faint playoff hopes are alive.
20. Indianapolis Colts (Last week: 18)
Balance: 6-7 (Day week)
Anthony Richardson is a loose cannon who turns every game into a coin. He will throw you in or out of a game at a moment’s notice. However, he has played slightly better since the start of the season.
19. Arizona Cardinals (Last week: 17)
Balance: 6-7
An awkward offseason conversation awaits them with Kyler Murray. He’s just not what he used to be, and I’m not sure what the answer is.
18. Atlanta Falcons (Last week: 16)
Balance: 6-7
Kirk Cousins has thrown zero touchdowns and eight interceptions in his last four games. Atlanta now leads the division and will likely remain that way for the rest of the season.
17. Miami Dolphins (Last week: 20)
Balance: 6-7
Just because Tua Tagovailoa can do it all with his arm doesn’t mean he should. A run game would be fun. A big win for a team that simply can’t afford to lose.
16. San Francisco 49ers (Last week: 19)
Balance: 6-7
After two weeks of utter humiliation and despair, this had ’49ers blowout’ victory written all over it. Serious. This outcome was very predictable. There is too much pride within the organization, they had to take their anger out on someone. It has a 9-8 finish written all over it.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Last week: 15)
Balance: 7-6
They’ve officially leapfrogged the spiraling Falcons and can enjoy an easy path to the division title. That is, if they don’t stumble. The suddenly playful Panthers have a chance to do the funniest things in Week 17.
14. Los Angeles Rams (Last week: 14)
Balance: 7-6
Well, that’s certainly a statement win. There are two serious teams in the NFC West now. Kyren Williams remains a touchdown machine, even if he doesn’t run very well.
13. Denver Broncos (Last week: 12)
Balance: 8-5 (Day week)
Bo Nix is having fun out there, and we enjoy watching him. It looks like he’s ready to lead Denver back to the playoffs.
12. Washington Commanders (Last week: 11)
Balance: 8-5 (Day week)
If the season ended today, Jayden Daniels and the ‘Manders would be in the playoffs. We have a lot to learn about what the rookie is made of.
11. Seattle Seahawks (Last week: 13)
Balance: 8-5
The future is here, with Zach Charbonnet and Jaxson Smith-Njigba leading the way. This team is nothing special, but it looks like they will host a playoff game. The division is theirs to lose.
10. Los Angeles Chargers (Last week: 9)
Balance: 8-5
I keep beating the “Justin Herbert doesn’t have the guns” drum every time they lose, because that might be the only reason why they aren’t a legitimate championship contender in my eyes. The only one. They’re so good all around, except they have one major flaw.
9. Houston Texans (Last week: 10)
Balance: 8-5 (Day week)
Hopefully CJ Stroud and his weapons can use the bye week to get on the same page, because this wasn’t the Texans offense we envisioned in Year 2.
8. Baltimore Ravens (Last week: 8)
Balance: 8-5 (Day week)
Historically, Baltimore hasn’t had to worry much about its defense or its kicker in recent years, but that’s not the case this season. Neither will hurt them in the long run… right?
7. Green Bay Packers (Last week: 6)
Record: 9-4
A very heavy defeat, but against the best in the competition, a loss they can feel good about. They never won the division anyway.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (Last week: 7)
Balance: 10-3
Russell Wilson is a winner. Put him in a winning situation, and that’s exactly what he’ll do. Even if it is not always beautiful.
5. Buffalo Bills (Last week: 3)
Balance: 10-3
Josh Allen had SIX total touchdowns, but the defense was absolutely awful. Can you blame them? They are outdoor cats, not indoor cats.
4. Minnesota Vikings (Last week: 5)
Balance: 11-2
The best game of Sam Darnold’s NFL career came in Week 14 of the 2024 season, as his team battled for the conference’s top seed. Imagine telling that to someone two years ago.
3. Philadelphia Eagles (Last week: 4)
Balance: 11-2
A very Chiefs-esque win over Carolina, but still a win nonetheless. There is a path to the No. 1 seed, but they will need some help.
2. Kansas City Chiefs (Last week: 2)
Balance: 12-1
Congratulations on another close win, I guess. It turns out they can keep getting away with it. I have a feeling their witchcraft could end in the playoffs.
1. Detroit Lions (Last week: 1)
Balance: 12-1
Okay, we get it. You are the best team in football. They control their own destiny for the top seed, but it won’t be easy. Key matchups against the Bills, Bears, 49ers and Vikings remain. They can’t afford to give up now.
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