NFL power rankings: Where 49ers sit after shaky win against Bucs originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
After an exciting week in our own country, we may be faced with an international crisis.
Why? Because some geniuses thought it was a good idea for our allies abroad to see Daniel Jones and the Giants play football. Against the Panthers of all teams.
Germany, we are so sorry.
Week 10 had a little bit of everything. There were close games, blowouts, surprise upsets, explosive fouls, ugly fouls and kickers that once again fanned the flames of the divisive debate surrounding their value.
Here the 49ers sit after a big win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and heading into “Monday Night Football.”
32. New York Giants (Last week: 29)
Balance: 2-8
Do everyone a favor and just leave Daniel Jones in the German “Home Alone” style. ‘Oops, sorry. We got on the plane without you.”
31. Jacksonville Jaguars (Last week: 27)
Balance: 2-8
The opposing quarterback throws three interceptions. The opposing offense does not score a single touchdown. And McCorkle Jones, playing for the injured Trevor Lawrence, still can’t find a way to win. Bah.
30. Tennessee Titans (Last week: 30)
Balance: 2-7
Will Levis played relatively well. Again, he’s not the answer, but if he plays well enough you might be able to get some value for him before drafting his replacement.
29. Carolina Panthers (Last week: 32)
Balance: 3-7
Bryce Young continues to play well since returning as a starter, and Chuba Hubbard is proving to be worth every penny of his new contract. If one team had to win this disgusting international competition, I’m glad it was Carolina.
28. Las Vegas Raiders (Last week: 28)
Balance: 2-7 (Day week)
They were the best at #TankingWithPride this season. Don’t be cute, stay the course and get a top pick. Draft a quarterback. The plan is clear.
27. New England Patriots (Last week: 31)
Balance: 3-7
Their three wins this season have come against the Bears, Jets and Bengals. Impressive. Make no mistake, this team stinks, but they at least appear to be well-coached.
26. Cleveland Browns (Last week: 25)
Balance: 2-7 (Day week)
There will be high highs and very low lows with Jameis Winston under center. It won’t be pretty, but man, it can be fun. Sometimes.
25. Dallas Cowboys (Last week: 22)
Balance: 3-6
Cooper Rush completed 13 passes for FORTY-FIVE YARDS. You owe it to yourself and everyone watching to see what you have in Trey Lance. I guarantee he isn’t this bad.
24. New York Jets (Last week: 23)
Balance: 3-7
You’re done. Enjoy Cancun, Aaron Rodgers. Or a retreat in Peru. Your choice.
23. New Orleans Saints (Last week: 26)
Balance: 3-7
A win over the division-leading Falcons at this point in the season, with their record, is the equivalent of Chris Paul hitting a huge three to cut the lead against the Mavericks to 42. Go away, I guess.
22. Miami Dolphins (Last week: 24)
Balance: 2-6 (Monday evening football)
If there’s a piece of home to somehow secure a wildcard spot, then this is a must-win game. It’s time for that explosive crime to break out.
21. Indianapolis Colts (Last week: 21)
Balance: 4-6
A 39-year-old Joe Flacco is the epitome of “F-it, ____ down there.” It’s a touchdown or an interception. No snack.
20. Chicago Bears (Last week: 18)
Balance: 4-5
Shane Waldron and Matt Eberflus still have some answering to do. Caleb Williams has also had a tough time. There is too much talent in this offense to be that bad.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Last week: 16)
Balance: 4-6
No Mike Evans, no Chris Godwin. And now it looks like they could do without Tristan Wirfs. And yet they almost pulled off a win for the second week in a row. Rest during the farewell and manage the rest of the table. Their second half schedule could be a cakewalk.
18. Cincinnati Bengals (Last week: 20)
Balance: 4-6
Man, poor Joe Burow. If Cincy had a defense and a competent run game, they would be unstoppable. Instead, their quarterback is on pace to attempt more than 600 passes this season. Not ideal.
17. Seattle Seahawks (Last week: 19)
Balance: 4-5 (Day week)
They stink of fraud and are probably the third best team in the division. But if Geno Smith can play competent football all the time, they will be in the hunt until the end.
16. Denver Broncos (Last week: 17)
Balance: 5-5
A brutal way to lose to the defending champs in a game where your quarterback and defense played very well. Missed field goals seem to be a theme these days.
15. Los Angeles Rams (Last week: 14)
Balance: 4-4 (Monday evening football)
This could be a shootout against a healthy Dolphins team looking to break out. Can Matthew Stafford and his weapons keep up?
14. San Francisco 49ers (Last week: 12)
Balance: 5-4
The three missed field goals. The red zone is having a hard time. Drama on the sidelines. The atmosphere was terrible. Somehow they pulled it out. It wasn’t exactly an encouraging win, but a win nonetheless.
13. Arizona Cardinals (Last week: 15)
Balance: 6-4
The boat had a good Jets defense and Kyle Murray was almost perfect. Receive message. I still have my doubts, but it’s hard to deny that they are playing good football at the moment.
12. Atlanta Falcons (Last week: 9)
Balance: 6-4
Younghoe Koo missed three field goals and Kirk Cousins had an early interception in the fourth quarter. Those are the mistakes that will (and did) damn them.
11. Houston Texans (Last week: 11)
Balance: 6-4
Your defense came up with five takeaways and you failed to capitalize time and time again. I have serious concerns about CJ Stroud and this offense. Houston, you have a problem.
10. Los Angeles Chargers (Last week: 13)
Balance: 6-3
Justin Herbert is one of the best passing quarterbacks in the league, but in this offense they don’t need him to win games with his arm. It feels wrong, but they’re winning games, so what do I know?
9. Green Bay Packers (Last week: 10)
Balance: 6-3 (Day week)
Perhaps no one in the league needed a bye week more than Jordan Love. When healthy, he’s an MVP candidate. However, he hasn’t been very healthy this season.
8. Washington Commanders (Last week: 7)
Balance: 7-3
Jayden Daniels, meet the Steelers defense. They face Lamar Jackson twice every season, they will be prepared for you. For the most part, they were.
7. Minnesota Vikings (Last week: 6)
Balance: 7-2
A disgusting performance by Sam Darnold that would have resulted in a loss to, what, 30 other teams? Luckily for them, they played Jacksonville and McCorkle.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (Last week: 8)
Balance: 7-2
Is Russell Wilson experiencing a renaissance? He’s having a good time there, and after a rough couple of seasons in Denver, it’s nice to see.
5. Baltimore Ravens (Last week: 5)
Balance: 7-3
There are still eight weeks left in the regular season, but it feels like we should just give Lamar the MVP award now. Complete and total dominance, week after week.
4. Philadelphia Eagles (Last week: 4)
Balance: 7-2
They took care of business against a vastly inferior opponent on both sides of the ball. I’m not sure there’s much to take away from this game. Easy win. On to the next one.
3. Buffalo Bills (Last week: 3)
Balance: 8-2
Josh Allen had a mediocre game and they still found a way to win thanks to the defense and James Cook. This is not the Bills team of years past. Watch out, AFC.
2. Detroit Lions (Last week: 2)
Balance: 8-1
Jared Goff threw FIVE INTERCEPTIONS and they still won the game. Incredible. This team is built differently, that’s for sure.
1. Kansas City Chiefs (Last week: 1)
Balance: 9-0
A game-winning blocked field goal? The Chiefs’ devil magic is real. Unfortunately for the rest of the NFL, elite teams just find ways to win. Kansas City seems to do it every week now. Eventually it will end…right?
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