NFL power rankings: Where charged 49ers sit after bye week originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
For some teams, it’s time to book offseason flights to Cancun.
Yes, I’m talking to you, New Orleans Saints, Miami Dolphins and Dallas Cowboys. You can try to reverse your seasons, but the writing is on the wall.
Week 9 featured two overtime thrillers, an acrobatic game that has to be seen to be believed and heated divisional battles that lived up to the hype. While the 49ers and Pittsburgh Steelers watched from their benches.
Here’s where San Francisco sits heading into ‘Monday Night Football’:
32. Carolina Panthers (Last week: 32)
Balance: 2-7
Bryce Young has played quite well over the past two weeks since returning as the starter, earning a thrilling win late. That’s great news for a young quarterback who has had a rough journey but appears to have a good head on his shoulders.
31. New England Patriots (Last week: 29)
Balance: 2-7
For the second straight week, a rookie quarterback delivered a clutch touchdown as time expired. Only Drake Maye’s wasn’t as epic. Still impressive though. Unfortunately for New England, this resulted in a tough overtime loss.
30. Tennessee Titans (Last week: 31)
Balance: 2-6
Titans vs. Patriots. A very stoppable force meets a very moveable object. A nice win in extra time as Mason Rudolph continues to lean on Tony Pollard.
29. New York Giants (Last week: 30)
Balance: 2-7
Daniel Jones finished the first half completing 4 of 6 passing attempts for ZERO yards and a touchdown. Really incredible stuff. That touchdown was also his first passing touchdown at home in 672 days. The comeback attempt came too little, too late.
28. Las Vegas Raiders (Last week: 28)
Balance: 2-7
There was no elegant 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)
Balance: 2-7
What week will Doug Pederson be fired? There is 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 $55 million man Trevor Lawrence didn’t have it in him. Did he ever?
26. New Orleans Saints (Last week: 26)
Balance: 2-7
That’s it, folks! After a once promising start, the season is over for Derek Carr and Co., who have lost seven games in a row.
25. Cleveland Browns (Last week: 25)
Balance: 2-7
Jameis 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 shootouts every week.
24. Miami Dolphins (Last week: 23)
Balance: 2-6
They put up a great fight against the mighty Bills, but unfortunately for the Dolphins, De’Von Achane can’t play defense. It will be difficult to turn this season around.
23. New York Jets (Last week: 24)
Balance: 3-6
A huge win over a very good opponent. I still have major doubts, but both the offense and defense lived up to their potential. They face an uphill battle back in the playoff battle.
22. Dallas Cowboys (Last week: 17)
Balance: 3-5
Things have fallen apart in Big D. Now Dak Prescott is hurt. Someone’s getting fired this week, right?
21. Indianapolis Colts (Last week: 22)
Balance: 4-5
The move to Joe Flacco was the right move. He and running back Jonathan Taylor happened to come across the buzzsaw that is the Vikings defense this week.
20. Cincinnati Bengals (Last week: 21)
Balance: 4-5
Joe Burrow did what he has done all season. There’s no doubting the offense’s potential, but can the defense improve? A necessary win over a bad team.
19. Seattle Seahawks (Last week: 18)
Balance: 4-5
Geno Smith gives, Geno Smith takes away. Geno Smith gives, Geno Smith takes away. He has a bit of Jameis Winston in him, and they need to move on from this offseason.
18. Chicago Bears (Last week: 14)
Balance: 4-4
For two weeks in a row, Caleb Williams and the Bears’ offense has looked bad. There will be more peaks and valleys to follow, that is normal. Can the defense stand up and carry them? Today they didn’t.
17. Denver Broncos (Last week: 15)
Balance: 5-4
Bo Nix caught a touchdown pass on Denver’s version of the “Philly Special.” He’s fun to look at, even if he’s ugly at times. However, Denver probably won’t hang with the big boys.
16. Arizona Cardinals (Last week: 19)
Balance: 5-4
Neither Kyler Murray, Marvin Harrison nor Trey McBride are the driving force behind this offense. It’s James Conner and the run game, which can be hit or miss. This week it was a big hit. Next week? Who knows.
15. Los Angeles Rams (Last week: 20)
Balance: 4-4
The NFC West has two legitimate playoff contenders in my opinion. The Rams are one of them, as long as Matthew Stafford and his weapons stay healthy and don’t get ejected mid-game. The other (will be) the 49ers.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Last week: 13)
Balance: 4-4 (Monday evening football)
A date with the defending champions without Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Good luck, Baker Mayfield. You’ll need it.
13. Los Angeles Chargers (Last week: 16)
Balance: 5-3
Justin Herbert destroyed a good Browns defense. I raised the alarm about his weapons in the passing game, but it doesn’t seem to matter. He gets it done. A nice recovery for JK Dobbins.
12. San Francisco 49ers (Last week: 12)
Balance: 4-4 (Day week)
They enjoyed a much-needed bye week, with Christian McCaffrey waiting for them at the other end. Is it time for the 49ers’ annual second half?
11. Houston Texans (Last week: 8)
Balance: 6-3
There’s something going on with CJ Stroud. He has more than enough talent around him to overcome the loss of Stefon Diggs, but right now Joe Mixon is the only reliable piece on the offense.
10. Green Bay Packers (Last week: 10)
Balance: 6-3
It was clear that Jordan Love was in pain. It’s hard to get a win over a team as dominant as the Lions. This was a huge game, 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)
Balance: 6-3
Stay warm, Kirk Cousins. Have a nice day, Bijan Robinson. The atmosphere is excellent in Atlanta. It’s the Falcons’ division that has to lose.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers (Last week: 7)
Balance: 6-2 (Day week)
The defense continues to be bummed and Russell Wilson appears to have turned back the clock. They are doing very well at the moment, but after the bye week a very tough schedule awaits them.
7. Washington Commanders (Last week: 9)
Balance: 7-2
Jayden Daniels continues to do Jayden Daniels’ things. Can he lead the ‘Manders through a tough stretch ahead against NFC East opponents?
6. Minnesota Vikings (Last week: 5)
Balance: 6-2
Sam Darnold is going to make his stupid mistakes, like he did in this game. But if you have the defense to stabilize you, like they do, those choices won’t be debilitating ones. Overall a decent night for the journeyman.
5. Baltimore Ravens (Last week: 6)
Balance: 6-3
Lamar Jackson continues to get it done with his arm, as a big ‘fuck you’ to the many teams that have doubted his passing ability over the years. Is Derrick Henry the frontrunner for Offensive Player of the Year?
4. Philadelphia Eagles (Last week: 4)
Balance: 6-2
Saquon Barkley continued to prove that he is not from this planet. Jalen is hurting and the offense kept rolling. The Birds are looking really good right now, but let’s see if they can keep that up throughout the season.
3. Buffalo Bills (Last week: 3)
Balance: 7-2
Josh Allen performed some magic and distributed the ball evenly to all of his receivers without Amari Cooper.
2. Detroit Lions (Last week: 2)
Balance: 7-1
Jared Goff is playing the best football of his career and the defense continues to rise. They are the clear favorite to represent the NFC in Super Bow LIX against the…
1. Kansas City Chiefs (Last week: 1)
Balance: 7-0 (Monday evening football)
Barring a heroic effort from the opponent, Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs should improve to 8-0 against a banged-up Bucs team.
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