NFL Power Rankings: Where the 49ers stand after win over 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 contenders, the best teams continue to show their vulnerabilities, while the worst teams continue to be…terrible. Shocking!
Can the Chiefs offense overcome the loss of Rashee Rice? Did the Vikings’ vaunted 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 ahead of the “Monday Night Football” doubleheader:
32. Tennessee Titans (last week: 32)
Record: 0-3
The hilarious Will Levis The photo of the week was the highlight of their season so far. They may have no better chance at that first win than against a Dolphins team riding on their third-string quarterback.
31. Carolina Panthers (last week: 31)
Recording: 1-3
Andy Dalton will allow them to tank with pride. Another week of watchable football in Carolina. They now do the bare minimum.
30. New England Patriots (last week: 30)
Recording: 1-3
It is Drake Maye time. It was Drake Maye time. What are we doing here? This offense is unwatchable.
29. Denver Broncos (last week: 28)
Record: 2-2
At one point in the first half, Bo Nix had completed seven passes for negative yards. Truly impressive. This is the worst offense in the league. But… they won?
28. Jacksonville Jaguars (last week: 29)
Record: 0-4
A step in the right direction for Trevor Lawrence but he has yet to overcome the allegations of fraud. Is this Bigsby Reservoir time in Duval?
27. New York Giants (last week: 27)
Recording: 1-3
They trailed in a game against the Cowboys, which is probably more of a knock against the Cowboys than a compliment to New York. Malik Nabers could break rookie records this season if Daniel Jones continues to feed him.
26. Miami Dolphins (last week: 23)
Recording: 1-2
They only have their third-string quarterback left. The vibes are horrible but they have a flawless Titans team this week. A potential gift without Tua Tagovailoa and some key pieces.
25. Las Vegas Raiders (Last week: 26)
Record: 2-2
The Raiders are so funny. A win against the Ravens was followed by a loss to the Panthers, followed by a win against the Browns. They have that dog in them at the most random times.
24. Chicago Bears (last week: 25)
Record: 2-2
A fairly clean game of Caleb Williams which is improving week by week. By André Swift I heard all the chatter and decided to finally be a good running back.
23. Indianapolis Colts (last week: 24)
Record: 2-2
Two very different scenarios, but Joe Flacco can do to the Colts what Dalton does to the Panthers. Skill at the quarterback position can go a long way.
22. Arizona Cardinals (last week: 21)
Recording: 1-3
The defense is going to give up a lot of yards and a lot of points and the offense can only keep up if all three Kyler Murray, Marvin Harrison And James Conner click. There will be ups and downs this season.
21. Los Angeles Rams (last week: 20)
Recording: 1-3
No return this week. The offense could continue to look like this until Cooper Kupp And Puka Nacua are back. Run, Kyren Williamsrun.
20. Cleveland Browns (last week: 18)
Recording: 1-3
It’s week 4 and every week I’ve mentioned 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 hold up. Ladd McConkey maybe That of Justin Herbert only legitimate weapon through the air, but this offense still lacks the necessary star power.
18. Cincinnati Bengals (last week: 22)
Recording: 1-3
No one expected them to lose to the Panthers and fall to 0-4, right? RIGHT?! 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 does not do it by air, it would certainly be nice to turn to Bijan Robinson. But the ghost of Arthur Smith won’t let that happen.
16. Washington Commanders (last week: 17)
Record: 3-1
Is the Commanders a playoff…no, that’s stupid…Or is it? Man, they look good. I want to believe. Really.
15. Green Bay Packers (last week: 14)
Record: 2-2
Was Jordan Love rust? Yes, he made too many costly mistakes. Were they also playing against one of the best defenses in the league? Yeah. This is going to be a dogfight for this division, as evidenced by the second half of this match.
14. New York Jets (last week: 11)
Record: 2-2
I understand the Broncos defense isn’t half bad, but seriously? Is nine points all you could score against them? I always think Aaron Rodgers and Co. will be fine but they are not running at full capacity yet.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (last week: 16)
Record: 3-1
Just when I think I’m out, they immediately take me back. Mayfield Baker is the Eagles’ bogeyman. Last week’s disaster could have been an incident.
12. Seattle Seahawks (last week: 13)
Record: 3-0
Their first three games of the season: Broncos, Patriots and Dolphins second- and third-string quarterbacks. I’m certainly not sold on them, but a win against the Lions on the road would shut me up.
11. New Orleans Saints (last week: 9)
Record: 2-1
Derek Carr became Derek Carr again. They called me crazy for not crowning them Super Bowl champions after week two. They’re moving into good but not great territory.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers (last week: 10)
Record: 3-1
Again, this offense is incredibly meh and when the defense lets the almost 40-year-old Flacco cook, you might be in trouble.
9. Dallas Cowboys (last week: 12)
Record: 2-2
Nothing screams “all is well” like a barely-there win against the Giants. They seem to be transitioning to Rico Dowdle as RB1, which is the right move to try to revive 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 liability as last season. The offense is not the same without its two best receivers. Who would have thought it?
7. San Francisco 49ers (last week: 8)
Record: 2-2
Brock Purdy is a wizard. Fred Warner is a legitimate DPOY candidate. Both play hard. They beat a terrible team and the offense faltered in the second half. There’s nothing to get excited about.
6. Baltimore Ravens (last week: 7)
Record: 2-2
Lamar Jackson It was peak Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henri continues to prove that it still has plenty left in the tank, but perhaps what was most impressive was that the defense came back into form and delivered this performance against a high-powered offense.
5. Houston Texans (last week: 5)
Record: 3-1
CJ Stroud and his weapons do it in the air, but this attack is too one-dimensional without Joe Mixon.
4. Detroit Lions (last week: 4)
Record: 2-1
There was something wrong with it Jared Goff and offense this season but nothing too concerning. Big test Monday evening against Seattle.
3. Buffalo Bills (last week: 2)
Record: 3-1
Even a night’s rest, Josh Allen He still made some jaw-dropping plays, but it wasn’t enough against a Ravens defense that looks as dominant as last season. Buffalo’s defense also surrendered… *checks notes*…271 (!!!) rushing yards? This is 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 showed flashes of his former self at inopportune times. The defense gave way in the second half and nearly blew a 21-point lead.
1. Kansas City Chiefs (last week: 1)
Record: 4-0
Patrick Mahomes He might have lost his new favorite weapon for a long time, or even for the rest of the season. They always seem to find ways to accomplish this, but I have a feeling this offense will be put to the test from here on out.
