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NFL power rankings: Where the 49ers stand after win against Patriots originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
We’re a quarter of the way through the 2024 NFL season and the league’s true hierarchy is starting to take shape.
The surprise early contenders are starting to look like pretenders, the best teams continue to show their vulnerabilities, while the worst teams continue to be… terrible. Unpleasant surprise!
Can the Chiefs offense overcome the loss of Rashee Rice? Did the vaunted Vikings defense finally show cracks in a near second-half collapse? Are the Bears finally ready to take off?
Here’s where the 49ers and the rest of the league stand entering the “Monday Night Football” doubleheader:
32. Tennessee Titans (last week: 32)
Record: 0-3
the hilarious Will Levis Picture of the Week has been the highlight of their season so far. They may have no better chance at that first win than against a Dolphins team with their third-string quarterback.
31. Carolina Panthers (last week: 31)
Record: 1-3
Andy Dalton will allow them to tank with pride. Another week of football that can be seen from Carolina. Now they are doing the bare minimum.
30. New England Patriots (last week: 30)
Record: 1-3
Is drake maye time. Drake Maye’s time has come. What are we doing here? This offense is impossible to observe.
29. Denver Broncos (last week: 28)
Record: 2-2
At one point in the first half, bo nix he had completed seven passes for negative yards. Really impressive. This is the worst offense in the league. But… did they win?
28. Jacksonville Jaguars (last week: 29)
Record: 0-4
A step in the right direction to Trevor Lorenzo but has not yet overcome the accusations of fraud. Is Bigsby Tank time in Duval?
27. New York Giants (last week: 27)
Record: 1-3
They came up one game against the Cowboys, which is probably a knock against the Cowboys more than a compliment to New York. Malik Nabers could break rookie records this season if Daniel Jones continues to force feed him.
26. Miami Dolphins (Last week: 23)
Record: 1-2
They are down to their third quarterback. The vibes are horrible, but this week they have an irresponsible Titans team. A potential gift without Tua Tagovailoa and some key pieces.
25. Las Vegas Raiders (last week: 26)
Record: 2-2
The Raiders are a lot of fun. A win over the Ravens was followed by a loss to the Panthers, followed by a win over the Browns. They have that dog in them at the most random times.
24. Chicago Bears (last week: 25)
Record: 2-2
A pretty clean game of Caleb Williams which is getting better every week. D’André Swift I listened to all the talk and decided to finally be a good runner.
23. Indianapolis Colts (last week: 24)
Record: 2-2
Two very different scenarios, but Joe Skinny He can do to the Colts what Dalton is doing to the Panthers. Competition at the quarterback position can be a big help.
22. Arizona Cardinals (last week: 21)
Record: 1-3
The defense is going to give up a lot of yards and a lot of points and the offense will only be able to keep up if the three Kyle Murray, Marvin Harrison and James Conner They are clicking. There will be some highs and some lows this season.
21. Los Angeles Rams (Last week: 20)
Record: 1-3
There is no return this week. The offense could continue to look like this until Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua They are back. Run, Kyren Williamsrun.
20. Cleveland Browns (last week: 18)
Record: 1-3
It’s Week 4 and every week I mention how disgusting this offense is. A leopard does not change its spots.
19. Los Angeles Chargers (Last week: 19)
Record: 2-2
The defense can defend itself. Ladd McConkey could be Justin Herbert Only legitimate weapon in the air, but this offense still lacks the necessary star power.
18. Cincinnati Bengals (last week: 22)
Record: 1-3
Nobody expected them to lose to the Panthers and go 0-4, right? Good?! A necessary victory but one that doesn’t tell us much about who they are.
17. Atlanta Falcons (last week: 15)
Record: 2-2
When Kirk Cousins It is not done through the air, surely it would be good to resort to Bijan Robinson. But the ghost of Arthur Smith won’t let that happen.
16. Washington Commanders (last week: 17)
Record: 3-1
Are the Commanders a tiebreaker… no, that’s nonsense… Or is it? Man, they look good. I want to believe. I really do.
15. Green Bay Packers (last week: 14)
Record: 2-2
Was jordanian love rusty? Yes, he made too many costly mistakes. Were they also playing against one of the best defenses in the league? Yes. It’s going to be a dogfight for this division, as evidenced by the second half of this game.
14. New York Jets (last week: 11)
Record: 2-2
I get that the Broncos defense isn’t that bad, but really? Is nine points all you could score against them? I still think Aaron Rodgers and Co. will be fine, but they’re not firing on all cylinders yet.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (last week: 16)
Record: 3-1
Just when I think I’m out, they pull me back in. baker mayfield He is the Eagles’ bogeyman. Last week’s disaster could have been a blip.
12. Seattle Seahawks (last week: 13)
Record: 3-0
Their first three games of the season: Broncos, Patriots and the Dolphins’ second and third-string quarterbacks. I’m definitely not sold on them, but a win over the Lions on the road would shut me up.
11. New Orleans Saints (last week: 9)
Record: 2-1
Derek Carr he’s back to being Derek Carr. They called me crazy for not crowning them Super Bowl champions after Week 2. They’re trending into good, but not great, territory.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers (last week: 10)
Record: 3-1
Once again, this offense is incredibly average and when the defense lets the nearly 40-year-old Flacco cook, you might be in trouble.
9. Dallas Cowboys (last week: 12)
Record: 2-2
Nothing screams “everything is fine” like barely pulling out a win over the Giants. It seems they are making the change to Rico Dowdle as RB1, which is the right move to try to achieve any semblance of a running game, but there are still issues.
8. Philadelphia Eagles (last week: 3)
Record: 2-2
This defense could be as big a problem as it was last season. The offense is not the same without its two best receivers. Who would have thought?
7. San Francisco 49ers (last week: 8)
Record: 2-2
Brock Purdy He is a magician. Fred Warner He is a legitimate DPOY candidate. They are both playing their asses off. They beat a terrible team and the offense failed in the second half. There is nothing to highlight.
6. Baltimore Ravens (last week: 7)
Record: 2-2
Lamar Jackson It was peak Lamar Jackson, Henry Derrick continues to show that it still has a lot left in the tank, but perhaps most impressive was the defense getting back into shape and delivering that performance against a high-powered offense.
5. Houston Texans (last week: 5)
Record: 3-1
CJ Stroud and their weapons do so through the air, but this offensive is too one-dimensional without Joe Mixon.
4. Detroit Lions (last week: 4)
Record: 2-1
There has been something a little strange with Jared Goff and the offense this season, but nothing too concerning. Big test Monday night against Seattle.
3. Buffalo Bills (last week: 2)
Record: 3-1
Even on a free night, jose alen He still made amazing plays, but it wasn’t enough against a Ravens defense that looks as dominant as it did last season. Buffalo’s defense gave up too… *checks notes*… 271 (!!!) rushing yards? That’s worrying.
2. Minnesota Vikings (last week: 6)
Record: 4-0
I want to start by saying that I think they are legit, BUT Sam Darnold he showed flashes of his old self at inopportune times. The defense gave way in the second half and came close to blowing a 21-point lead.
1. Kansas City Chiefs (last week: 1)
Record: 4-0
Patrick Mahomes He could have lost his new favorite weapon for a long time, if not the rest of the season. They always seem to find ways to do it, but I have a feeling this offense will be tested from here on out.