The NFL Power Rankings: Where the 49ers stand after beating the Bears originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SANTA CLARA – Some of these teams still believe they have a chance. That’s sweet.

The more heated the fight for placement in the playoffs becomes, the more intense the not-so-elegant relegation becomes.

With four weeks left in the 2024 regular season, none of these teams can surprise us anymore.

Here’s where the 49ers stand after a 38:13 win over the Chicago Bears and heading into “Monday Night Football”:

32. New York Giants (Last week: 32)

Record: 2-11

It’s not worth my time. It’s not worth your time. Next.

31. Las Vegas Raiders (Last week: 30)

Record: 2-11

Somewhere there’s a Raiders fan releasing his own version of the Browns quarterback list jersey. After the last two seasons, it’s gotten pretty long. Stay the course, lose games and pick a new one in the spring.

30. Jacksonville Jaguars (Last week: 31)

Record: 3-10

This wasn’t a game you wanted to win against another bottom feeder. Mac Jones did everything in his power to lose, but the Jacksonville defense chose the wrong time to show up.

29. Tennessee Titans (Last week: 28)

Record: 3-10

Going up against a defense as terrible as Jacksonville’s and only scoring six points takes skill. A really impressive but rough dedication for the tank.

28. New England Patriots (Last week: 29)

Record: 3-10 (bye week)

If there are two words that describe the 2024 Patriots, it is “ethical tanking.” When you do your best but it’s just not enough. Respectable.

27. Cleveland Browns (Last week: 26)

Record: 3-10

When Jameis Winston said he was “I pray that the Lord delivers me from pick sixes“He wasn’t talking about wiretaps in general. He will never be able to escape this.”

26. New York Jets (Last week: 25)

Record: 3-10

The last time the Jets made the playoffs (2010), Aaron Rodgers won his only Super Bowl the following year. Now 13 years later and misery still loves company.

25. Carolina Panthers (Last week: 27)

Record: 3-10

Another impressive performance from Bryce Young and Carolina against an elite team. The drop of Xavier Legette may have hurt, but it will help draft positioning.

24. Chicago Bears (Last week: 23)

Record: 4-9

I do think Caleb Williams can be the guy. I really do. But this season will be a big disappointment. The organization needs to do some thinking in the offseason.

23. New Orleans Saints (Last week: 24)

Record: 5-8

They can get away with another year of Derek Carr as the bridge quarterback. Max But it’s time to get to work on 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 give the Bengals the win, but Cincy’s defense is so bad that even Cooper Rush could pull it off. I wouldn’t bet on that, though.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (Last week: 21)

Record: 4-8 (Monday night football)

The season is almost over, which is a shame because Joe Burrow is having the best year of his career. Still, this offense should be fun to watch and they are capable of defeating almost anyone.

20. Indianapolis Colts (Last week: 18)

Record: 6-7 (bye week)

Anthony Richardson is a loose cannon who makes every game a coin toss. It will have you in or out of a game in no time. However, he has played slightly better on the bench since the start of the season.

19. Arizona Cardinals (Last week: 17)

Record: 6-7

An awkward conversation with Kyler Murray awaits her in the offseason. He’s just not who he used to be and I’m not sure what the answer is.

18. Atlanta Falcons (Last week: 16)

Record: 6-7

Kirk Cousins ​​has thrown zero touchdowns and eight interceptions in his last four games. Atlanta is now behind in the division and will likely stay that way for the rest of the season.

17. Miami Dolphins (Last week: 20)

Record: 6-7

Just because Tua Tagovailoa can do anything with his arm doesn’t mean he 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, the 49ers victory was on everyone’s lips. Seriously. This result was very predictable. There is too much pride within the organization, they had to take their anger out on someone. There’s clearly a 9-8 finish here.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Last week: 15)

Record: 7-6

They have officially overtaken the surging Falcons and can look forward to an easy path to the division title. That is, if they don’t trip. The suddenly lost Panthers have a chance to do the funniest thing in Week 17.

14. Los Angeles Rams (Last week: 14)

Record: 7-6

Well, this is certainly a statement win. There are now two serious teams in the NFC West. Kyren Williams continues to be a touchdown machine, even if he doesn’t run as well.

13. Denver Broncos (Last week: 12)

Record: 8-5 (bye week)

Bo Nix is ​​having fun out there and we are having fun watching him. It looks like he’s ready to lead Denver back to the playoffs.

12. Washington Commanders (Last week: 11)

Record: 8-5 (bye 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 on the track.

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 appears they will host a playoff game. The division is theirs.

10. Los Angeles Chargers (Last week: 9)

Record: 8-5

I’ll beat the “Justin Herbert doesn’t have the guns” drum every time they lose, because in my eyes that might be the only reason they’re not a legitimate championship contender. The only one. They are so good everywhere except they have one major flaw.

9. Houston Texans (Last week: 10)

Record: 8-5 (bye week)

Hopefully CJ Stroud and his weapons can use the bye week to get on the same page, because this wasn’t the Texans offense we envisioned in year two.

8. Baltimore Ravens (Last week: 8)

Record: 8-5 (bye 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 down the line… right?

7. Green Bay Packers (Last week: 6)

Record: 9-4

A very tough defeat, but against the best in the league it’s a defeat they can be happy about. They never won the division anyway.

6. Pittsburgh Steelers (Last week: 7)

Record: 10-3

Russell Wilson is a winner. Put him in a winning situation and that’s exactly what he’ll do. Even if it’s not always pretty.

5. Buffalo Bills (Last week: 3)

Record: 10-3

Josh Allen had SIX total touchdowns, but the defense was absolutely atrocious. Can you blame them? They are outdoor cats, not indoor cats.

4. Minnesota Vikings (Last week: 5)

Record: 11-2

The biggest game of Sam Darnold’s NFL career came in Week 14 of the 2024 season, with his team fighting for the top spot in the conference. Imagine if you told someone that two years ago.

3. Philadelphia Eagles (Last week: 4)

Record: 11-2

A very Chiefs-esque win over Carolina, but another win nonetheless. There is a path to the No. 1 seed, but they will need help.

2. Kansas City Chiefs (Last week: 2)

Record: 12-1

Congratulations on another close win I guess. It turns out they can still get away with it. I have a feeling their witchcraft could end in the playoffs.

1. Detroit Lions (Last week: 1)

Record: 12-1

Okay, we get it. You are the best team in football. They control their own destiny for the top spot, but it won’t be easy. Important matches against the Bills, Bears, 49ers and Vikings remain. You can’t afford to let up now.

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