NFL Power Rankings: Where 49ers stand after win over Raiders originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
The end of the NFL regular season is in sight. Some teams seem to have already packed their bags for Cancun, while others are shifting gears with their eyes on the ultimate prize.
The Chicago Bears arrived in Detroit dreaming of playing spoilers against the Lions. They were embarrassed 41-10 in a game that showed just how much work general manager Ryan Poles has to do in the offseason.
As the Bears gasped in Mo-Town, the Packers torched the Vikings to get into pole position for the final NFC wildcard spot. In Tampa Bay, Tom Brady finally met Mike Evans. Then, he did it again and again as the Bucs clinched the NFC South with a win over the Panthers.
Meanwhile, the Patriots have done just enough to beat Teddy Bridgewater and Skylar Thompson, Kenny Pickett has kept the Steelers’ playoff hopes alive, and the Eagles are discovering just how valuable Jalen Hurts is (answer: very).
Here’s where each team stands after Sunday’s Week 17 action.
32. Denver Broncos (4-12): Jim Harbaugh, let’s go?
31. Houston Texans (2-13-1): Lovie seems to have gotten the message not to mess up the No. 1 pick.
30. Indianapolis Colts (4-11-1): Jeff Saturday should be back on ESPN in about seven days.
29. Chicago Bears (3-13): As good as Justin Fields has been with his legs, games like Sunday’s show he still has a long way to go to become a proven commodity as a passer.
28. Arizona Cardinals (4-12): With Kyler Murray likely out for most of next season, this offseason could be a good time for the Cardinals to begin a smooth rebuild.
27. Atlanta Falcons (6-10): Desmond Ridder is yet to throw a touchdown or interception in three starts, but he upped the all-important column on Sunday by leading the Falcons to a behind-the-scenes win over the Cardinals.
26. Las Vegas Raiders (6-10): Jarrett Stidham torched the 49ers in his first career NFL start. Nothing makes sense.
25. Los Angeles Rams (5-11): Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Baker Mayfield sounds great.
24. Carolina Panthers (6-10): Sam Darnold couldn’t save us from the pain of watching the Bucs in the playoffs, but did he do enough to win another year in Carolina?
23. New Orleans Saints (7-9): If I’m the Saints, the price for a team to sign Sean Payton starts at first two. Not less.
22. Tennessee Titans (7-9): Josh Dobbs got off the bus and threw for 232 yards against the Cowboys. That’s almost as many yards as rookie Malik Willis has thrown in his three starts this season (276). The Titans can’t start Willis against the Jags in Week 18.
21. Washington Commanders (7-8-1): I can’t believe Ron Rivera honestly thought that Carson Wentz gave Commanders the best chance of winning. Licensable decision at the limit.
20. Cleveland Browns (7-9): Deshaun Watson started to look like himself in the second half against the Commanders. This is good news for the Browns and bad news for those of us on the karma side.
19. New York Jets (7-9): Just because Mike White is better than Zach Wilson doesn’t mean he’s the answer. The Jets missed the playoffs for the 12th straight season and now enter the offseason with a ton of questions to answer.
18. Miami Dolphins (8-8): With Tua and Teddy likely out for Week 18, the Dolphins’ playoff hopes are in the dumpster. Better start trafficking Tom Brady again.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers (8-8): Mike Tomlin cannot be killed.
16. New England Patriots (8-8): Our most likely picks for the AFC’s latest wild card are Mac Jones, the Zombie Dolphins and Kenny Pickett. Not great.
15. Seattle Seahawks (8-8): The Seahawks’ playoff hopes rest in the hands of Geno Smith and Jared Goff in Week 18. I’ve been in worse predicaments.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8): I know the Bucs have been a train wreck this season, but don’t count out Tom Brady in the playoffs.
13. Detroit Lions (8-8): The Lions have done a fantastic job building their roster from the lines. The Bears might want to take some notes.
12. Minnesota Vikings (12-4): I’m done with the Vikings. Get them out of my face.
11. New York Giants (9-6-1): If Brian Daboll is not coach of the year, what do we do?
10. Baltimore Ravens (10-6): I don’t even think Ravens fans believe this team is a legitimate Super Bowl contender, with or without Lamar.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-8): The NFL did the Jaguars no favors by staging their Week 18 win-win game on Saturday. The Jags will only have five days off before facing Josh Dobbs. OK, maybe it’s not that bad.
8. Green Bay Packers (8-8): Just like Michael Meyers, you have to make sure Aaron Rodgers is dead. Otherwise, it will keep coming.
7. Los Angeles Chargers (10-6): No one wants to face Justin Herbert and the Chargers in the playoffs. Person.
6. Dallas Cowboys (12-4): Don’t trust people who think Dak Prescott isn’t a good quarterback.
5. Buffalo Bills (12-3): I still wonder if the Bills have enough to pass the AFC gauntlet. They ask a LOT of Josh Allen.
4. Philadelphia Eagles (13-3): We can put the “Jalen Hurts is a system quarterback” talk to bed now. He is the system.
3. San Francisco 49ers (12-4): Brock Purdy finally faced adversity in the NFL on Sunday and passed the test with nearly top marks. That’s good news for the Niners’ Super Bowl hopefuls. Now, about the burnt defense by Jarrett Stidham.
2. Cincinnati Bengals (11-4): Monday night gives us our first Josh Allen versus Joe Burrow match. Maybe we’ll see a second one in a few weeks. Prepare your popcorn.
1. Kansas City Chiefs (13-3): Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs are back on top. Like before.
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