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NFL power rankings: Where the 49ers stand after Bears rout originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SANTA CLARA — Some of these teams still think they have a chance. That’s nice.
As the fight for a playoff spot intensifies, so does the not-so-elegant race to the bottom.
With four weeks left in the 2024 regular season, neither of these teams can do much to surprise us.
This is where the 49ers sit after a 38-13 victory over the Chicago Bears and heading to “Monday Night Football”:
32. New York Giants (last week: 32)
Record: 2-11
It’s not worth my time. It’s not worth spending time on. Next.
31. Las Vegas Raiders (last week: 30)
Record: 2-11
There’s a Raiders fan somewhere starting their own version of the Browns quarterback roster jersey. It’s getting pretty long after these last two seasons. Stay the course, lose games and pick a new one in the spring.
30. Jacksonville Jaguars (last week: 31)
Record: 3-10
This was not a game you wanted to win against another bottom feeder. Mac Jones He did everything in his power to lose, but Jacksonville’s defense chose the wrong time to show up.
29. Tennessee Titans (last week: 28)
Record: 3-10
Facing a defense as terrible as Jacksonville’s and scoring just six points takes skill. A really impressive, but disgusting dedication to the tank.
28. New England Patriots (last week: 29)
Record: 3-10 (Goodbye week)
If there are two words that describe the 2024 Patriots, they are “ethical tanking.” When you give your best, but it’s not enough. Respectable.
27. Cleveland Browns (last week: 26)
Record: 3-10
When James Winston said it was “Praying for the Lord to deliver me from pick-sixes“, he was not referring to interceptions in general, from which he will never be able to escape.
26. New York Jets (last week: 25)
Record: 3-10
The last time the Jets made the playoffs (2010), Aaron Rodgers He won his only Super Bowl the following year. It’s been 13 years and misery still loves company.
25. Carolina Panthers (last week: 27)
Record: 3-10
Another impressive performance for young bryce and Carolina against an elite team. That Xavier Legette The fall may have hurt, but it will help draft positioning.
24. Chicago Bears (last week: 23)
Record: 4-9
I believe Caleb Williams It could be the boy. I really do. But this season is shaping up to be a huge disappointment. The organization needs to do some soul searching in the offseason.
23. New Orleans Saints (last week: 24)
Record: 5-8
You can get away with an extra year of Derek Carr as a bridge quarterback. Max. But it’s time to start looking toward the draft because it’s long overdue. Anyone with value, of which there aren’t many, should be traded in the offseason.
22. Dallas Cowboys (last week: 22)
Record: 5-7 (Monday Night Football)
I would say this game has the potential to be a blowout for the Bengals, but Cincy’s defense is so bad that even Cooper Rush I could cut him into pieces. Although I wouldn’t bet on it.
21. Cincinnati Bengals (last week: 21)
Record: 4-8 (Monday Night Football)
The season is practically over, which is a shame because Joe Burrow’s having the best year of his career. But this offense should still be fun to watch and they are capable of beating almost anyone.
20. Indianapolis Colts (last week: 18)
Record: 6-7 (Goodbye week)
Antonio Richardson It’s a loose canon, making each game a coin toss. It will get you in or out of a game in an instant. However, he has played a little better since being benched earlier in the season.
19. Arizona Cardinals (last week: 17)
Record: 6-7
There is a discomfort Kyle Murray conversation that awaits them in the offseason. It’s just not what it used to be and I’m not sure what the answer is.
18. Atlanta Falcons (last week: 16)
Record: 6-7
Kirk Cousins he has thrown zero touchdowns and eight interceptions in his last four games. Atlanta now trails in the division and will likely remain that way for the rest of the season.
17. Miami Dolphins (last week: 20)
Record: 6-7
Just because Tua Tagovailoa You can do it all with your arm, doesn’t mean you should. A running game would be nice. A big win for a team that simply can’t afford to lose.
16. San Francisco 49ers (last week: 19)
Record: 6-7
After two weeks of utter humiliation and despair, this had 49ers victory written all over it. Oh really. This result was very predictable. There is too much pride within the organization, they had to take out their anger on someone. This has a 9-8 finish written all over it.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (last week: 15)
Record: 7-6
They have officially surpassed 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 most fun in Week 17.
14. Los Angeles Rams (Last week: 14)
Record: 7-6
Well, that is certainly a declared victory. There are now two serious teams in the NFC West. Kyren Williams He’s still a touchdown machine, even if he doesn’t run as well.
13. Denver Broncos (last week: 12)
Record: 8-5 (Goodbye week)
bo nix He’s having fun out there and we’re having fun watching him. He sure looks like he’s ready to lead Denver back to the playoffs.
12. Washington Commanders (last week: 11)
Record: 8-5 (Goodbye week)
If the season ended today, Jayden Daniels and the ‘Manders would be in the playoffs. We should learn a lot about what the rookie is made of down the stretch.
11. Seattle Seahawks (last week: 13)
Record: 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 it will host a playoff game. The division is yours to lose.
10. Los Angeles Chargers (Last week: 9)
Record: 8-5
I’ll keep hitting the”Justin Herbert he doesn’t have the weapons” every time he loses because it might be the only reason they are not a legitimate championship contender in my opinion. The only one. They are just as good in everything else, except they have one major flaw.
9. Houston Texans (last week: 10)
Record: 8-5 (Goodbye week)
With a little luck CJ Stroud and their weapons can take advantage of the bye week to get on the same page, because this has not been the Texans offense we imagined in Year 2.
8. Baltimore Ravens (last week: 8)
Record: 8-5 (Goodbye 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. Surely neither of them will hurt them in the final stretch… right?
7. Green Bay Packers (last week: 6)
Record: 9-4
A very tough loss, but against the best in the league, a loss they can feel good about. They never won the division anyway.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers (last week: 7)
Record: 10-3
Russell Wilson It’s a winner. Put him in a winning situation and that’s exactly what he will do. Even if it’s not always pretty.
5. Buffalo Bills (last week: 3)
Record: 10-3
jose alen He had SIX total touchdowns, but the defense was absolutely atrocious. Can you blame them? They are outdoor cats, not indoors.
4. Minnesota Vikings (last week: 5)
Record: 11-2
The best game of Sam Darnold The NFL race came in Week 15 of the 2024 season, where his team is fighting for first place in the conference. Imagine saying that to someone two years ago.
3. Philadelphia Eagles (last week: 4)
Record: 11-2
A very Chiefs-style victory over Carolina, but another victory nonetheless. There is a path to the No. 1 spot, but they will need some help.
2. Kansas City Chiefs (last week: 2)
Record: 12-1
Congratulations on another close victory, I guess. Turns out they can still get away with it. I have a feeling his witchcraft could end in the playoffs.
1. Detroit Lions (last week: 1)
Record: 12-1
Well, we understand. You are the best team in football. They control their own destiny for first place, but it won’t be easy. Key matchups remain against the Bills, Bears, 49ers and Vikings. They cannot afford to give in now.