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NFL power rankings: Where the 49ers stand after collapse against the Rams Originally appeared in NBC Bay Area Sports
If there’s one takeaway we can take from the first three weeks of the 2024 NFL season, it’s that the “any given Sunday” mantra couldn’t be truer.
Sam Darnold and the juggernaut Minnesota Vikings kept rolling along. Derek Carr and the New Orleans Saints offense got a slice of humble pie while two Super Bowl hopefuls were at the center of two epic comeback attempts.
Here’s where the 49ers and the rest of the league stand heading into Monday night’s doubleheader:
32. Tennessee Titans (Last week: 29)
Record: 0-3
Matador It will be Levis Packed. Drink. Ugly demonstration of the Tony Pollard–Tyjae Spears tandem. A serious violation is being committed in the City of Music.
31. Carolina Panthers (Last week: 32)
Record: 1-2
He Andy Dalton The era is here and it is beautiful. Well, in comparison, anything is.
30. New England Patriots (Last week: 28)
Record: 1-2
Whoever plays quarterback behind this offensive line is getting demolished week after week. An ineffective player Rhamondre Stevenson It leaves you with virtually nothing offensive.
29. Denver Broncos (Last week: 31)
Record: 1-2
Bo NixI didn’t know your game. Denver has been performing well in all aspects. Let’s see if they can continue to grow.
28. New York Giants (Last week: 30)
Record: 1-2
Every now and then there is a good one Daniel Jones Game. This was one of them. Malik Nabers It’s still amazing.
27. Las Vegas Raiders (Last week: 26)
Record: 1-2
Dalton is a big improvement over Bryce youngBut they’re still the Panthers. Really? Only the Raiders would be embarrassed by Carolina after an impressive win over the Ravens last week.
26. Washington Commanders (Last week: 27)
Record: 1-1
Rookie Jayden Daniels He’s been impressive so far and has a decent supporting cast around him. This is a rebuilding team that’s headed in the right direction, but they have a big test this week on a Bengals team that has something to prove.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars (Last week: 25)
Record: 0-2
Trevor Lawrence is battling allegations of fraud, particularly from yours truly. How will he respond against the mighty Bills on “Monday Night Football”?
24. Chicago Bears (Last week: 23)
Record: 1-2
There would be less pressure on Caleb Williams If the Bears had a running game, but he seems to be getting more comfortable each week. Still, he makes too many costly mistakes.
23. Indianapolis Colts (Last week: 24)
Record: 1-2
Antonio Richardson He’s a loose cannon and he’s going to cost Indy games. Fortunately for them, the young quarterback on the other side of the field was a bigger liability. Just run the ball 40+ times a game. Seriously.
22. Miami Dolphins (Last week: 19)
Record: 1-2
Their backup quarterback was thrown into the mix, so they’ll likely be in free fall for a few weeks.
21. Arizona Cardinals (Last week: 20)
Record: 1-2
Your offense can’t be based solely on making deep shots. Marvin Harrison. Yeah James Conner If it’s not okay, then it’s going to be a long day for you. Kyler Murray.
20. Los Angeles Rams (Last week: 22)
Record: 1-2
A heroic effort from a Rams team depleted by injuries. They had some big chances late in the game, but credit where credit is due: They showed a lot of heart.
19. Los Angeles Chargers (Last week: 21)
Record: 2-1
Why was it? Justin Herbert Playing this game in the first place? This offense is really just a collection of guys. And not in a good way.
18. Cleveland Browns (Last week: 15)
Record: 1-2
This might be the worst should-be-good team in NFL history. #FreeJameis
17. Cincinnati Bengals (Last week: 11)
Record: 0-2
They have a history of slow starts, but losing to the Commanders and falling to 0-3 would be alarming. There are no must-win games in Week 3, but this one is coming up.
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Last week: 9)
Record: 2-1
I didn’t see that coming. Talk about crashing to Earth for a moment. Baker Mayfield and company. Returns to the average level.
15. Atlanta Falcons (Last week: 17)
Record: 1-2
They’re not quite ready yet, but I can’t count out the Falcons. They played the Chiefs and have shown signs that they are. One of these weeks they’ll prove me right for four quarters.
14. Green Bay Packers (Last week: 14)
Record: 2-1
Malik Willis Revenge game. He did his job instead of Jordanian lovewho should be back next week. Everything will be fine soon in Green Bay.
13. Seattle Seahawks (Last week: 18)
Record: 3-0
Their first three games of the season: Broncos, Patriots and a matchup against the Dolphins’ second- and third-string backup quarterbacks. Talk to me about when they beat a serious team. However, 3-0 is 3-0, so I’ll give them some respect.
12. Dallas Cowboys (Last week: 7)
Record: 1-2
The ground game is atrocious, and so is their ground defense. Dak Prescott He almost completed the comeback with just his arm and that’s not a recipe for success. There are serious concerns to address in Big D.
11. New York Jets (Last week: 10)
Record: 2-1
Aaron Rodgers He looked fantastic and distributed the ball well to all his players. Breece Hall and Braelon Allen make for a spectacular backfield. Imagine this offense once Rodgers and Garrett Wilson Be on the same page.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers (Last week: 13)
Record: 3-0
Justin Fields He has done an admirable job instead of Russell Wilsonwho should not be guaranteed a starting spot when he returns. Regardless of who is in the center, the defense will carry them.
9. New Orleans Saints (Last week: 12)
Record: 2-1
I wasn’t as optimistic about them as others last week, but it’s clear they’re for real, even in a tough loss. Derek Carr He looked more like the Derek Carr we expected this season, but Alvin Kamara He has clearly turned back the clock.
8. San Francisco 49ers (Last week: 3)
Record: 1-2
It doesn’t matter that there wasn’t Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel either George KittleThis was completely inexcusable collapseA collapse of epic proportions. It is a shame for all those involved who were not named. Brock Purdy and Jauan Jennings.
7. Baltimore Ravens (Last week: 6)
Record: 1-2
An impressive rally that almost got out of hand. Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry They did what they did best. However, my suspicions about their defense are proving correct.
6. Buffalo Bills (Last week: 8)
Record: 2-0
The offensive continues to take shape despite Josh Allen With an unimpressive support staff through the air, will they be able to run the ball as well as they have against a solid Jags defensive line?
5. Minnesota Vikings (Last week: 16)
Record: 3-0
That defense is not good, it is ELITE. Sam Darnold Keep cooking. I’m promoting you from the playful category to the wagon category. Although I’ve probably given you bad luck.
4. Houston Texans (Last week: 2)
Record: 2-1
CJ Stroud Meet Brian Flores. It wasn’t pretty, but it seems like even the best offenses have trouble against this Vikings defense. Put him aside and move on.
3. Detroit Lions (Last week: 5)
Record: 2-1
There’s something not right with this team right now, but they continue to have success with one of the best running back duos in the league. The defense has also been impressive.
2. Philadelphia Eagles (Last week: 4)
Record: 2-1
Nick Sirianni is beyond frustrating as a coach. The 2023 second-half Eagles showed their ugly face for most of the game before… Saquon Barkley and Dallas Goedert He propelled them to victory.
1. Kansas City Chiefs (Last week: 1)
Record: 3-0
Carson Steele intervened for the wounded Isiah Pacheco and was in serviceable condition. Rashee Rice has supplanted Travis Kelce as Patrick Mahomes” new benchmark. The champions continue to dominate.