NFL power rankings: Where 49ers sit after blowout loss to Bills originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Thanksgiving week in the NFL, a tradition unlike any other.
After eating ungodly amounts of food, we willingly decide to sit around and watch some of the worst teams in the league play against some of the best.
You have a choice between watching Drew Lock vs. Cooper Rush, Matt Eberflus attempt to coach a football game and a matchup between the defending champs and a team fighting for the No. 1 pick on the following night.
I, for one, was thankful for the weekend slate of games.
Here is where the 49ers sit after a 35-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills and heading into “Monday Night Football.”
Record: 2-10
Please tell me you did not sit down on the couch, with your family on Thanksgiving, and willingly watch Lock vs. Rush. You’re better off having a political debate with that one uncle. It’s a three-horse race for the No. 1 pick.
Record: 2-10
A scary hit led to Trevor Lawrence’s early departure. After returning to the field for the first time in three weeks, it appears he could miss more time. A very unfortunate season continues.
Record: 2-10
Three things in life are certain: death, taxes, and the Raiders (no matter how terrible) playing the Chiefs well. I don’t know how they keep doing it — or almost doing it — but they are so close to being Patrick Mahomes’ Kryptonite.
Record: 3-10
Drake Maye is having a productive rookie season, the team is competitive most weeks and they’re losing games. What more can you ask for as a rebuilding team?
Record: 3-9
Amazingly, the loss wasn’t Will Levis’ fault. Their defense just got absolutely annihilated.
Record: 3-8 (Monday Night Football)
Jameis Winston might throw two or three picks against a very good Denver defense on Monday night, but at least he will have fun while doing so.
Record: 3-9
Bryce Young is playing his ass off and deserves to reap the rewards of the high draft pick this team should have next spring. His second-half turnaround is something out of a movie. Arguably the best story of the season.
Record: 3-9
I don’t think there’s anything Aaron Rodgers can do on the field to negatively impact his legacy at this point. It was cemented before he forced his way out of Green Bay. But man, these two seasons in New York could not have been a bigger disaster.
Record: 4-8
Derek Carr just can’t air it out like he used to. Your mini winning streak didn’t fool anyone. Back down to the bottom-third of the league where you belong.
Record: 4-8
The firing of Matt Eberflus after another close, heartbreaking loss won’t fix the pain and suffering Bears fans have experienced time and time again this season, but it should provide them at least a sliver of optimism about the team’s future, right?
Record: 5-7
This team is going to do everything in its power to finish the season at .500, aren’t they? They won’t, of course, but they certainly could have used this version of Rico Dowdle earlier.
Record: 4-8
Joe Burrow’s going to put up the best numbers of his career, and it’s not going to matter at all. Put a fork in Cincy, they’re done.
Record: 5-7
They really really needed this win, but it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Miami couldn’t hang at the Frozen Tundra. Their path to the playoffs isn’t impossible, but quite unlikely at this point.
Record: 5-7
As if 49ers fans needed another sign that the team is cooked, Christian McCaffrey suffered what could be a serious knee injury. I’m officially putting a fork in San Francisco. The good news is there still is a foundation to build upon. Re-tool in the offseason.
Record: 6-7
It certainly was not without its mistakes, but a gritty performance from Anthony Richardson and an even ballsier call from Shane Steichen at the end of the game.
Record: 6-6
They likely would have pulled off the upset had it not been for two costly Kyler Murray picks. This offense continues to be a huge disappointment.
Record: 6-6
It’s been a ROUGH showing for Kirk Cousins lately, who has zero touchdowns and six interceptions in his last three games. Atlanta is handing the Bucs the division on a silver platter.
Record: 6-6
Feed. Bucky. Irving. This game should not have been this close, but Baker Mayfield and Co. staved off a motivated Carolina team to jump into a tie with Atlanta for first in the NFC South.
Record: 6-6
Matthew Stafford, similar to Jalen Hurts in the Eagles’ offense, has a pretty easy job when his star running back is running well. Complete quick strikes to your elite receiving core and let Kyren Williams do the heavy lifting.
Record: 7-5
They’re the only NFC West team who is the slightest bit interested in winning the division. The defense has played exceptionally well as of late.
Record: 7-5 (Monday Night Football)
Bo Nix has firmly planted his flag in the Rookie of the Year race, and with a big game on Monday night, could keep pace with Daniels.
Record: 8-5
Now this is the Jayden Daniels we were used to seeing earlier this season. The Titans overall are terrible, but their defense is halfway decent, so this is an encouraging bounce-back performance for the rookie.
Record: 8-5
It wasn’t exactly the throttling of an awful Jags team it should have been, even after Lawrence went out, but a win nonetheless. A turnover-free one as well.
Record: 8-4
While the Chargers might not have the flashy offensive weapons they need to be a legit championship contender, they certainly have the defense. Four interceptions, including a pick 6, will do the trick.
Record: 8-5
Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore offense is elite. The defense? Mediocre. Justin Tucker? A major liability right now. Nobody saw that coming.
Record: 9-3
I didn’t think Russell Wilson still could cook like that. Touché. If he has that in his bag, then Pittsburgh could be quite scary.
Record: 9-3
I don’t think they will catch Detroit for the division, which is a shame, because a home playoff game — or two, or three — at Lambeau would be awesome. They likely will have to settle for being the wild-card team nobody wants to face.
Record: 10-2
Sam Darnold went from ‘seeing ghosts’ to seeing Justin Jefferson open over the middle of the field. Talk about an upgrade.
Record: 10-2
Play adequate defense, dink and dunk through the air and let Saquon Barkley run wild. Philly’s recipe for success is simple.
Record: 10-2
Josh Allen is built for this weather. What an absolute maniac this guy is. The MVP race has a new leader.
Record: 11-1
Another ugly win over a much-inferior opponent. Don’t get me wrong, finding ways to win these types of games is important, but when it’s week after week … it raises eyebrows. Unsurprisingly, the first team to clinch a playoff spot.
Record: 11-1
For years, the Lions were the team nobody wanted to watch on Thanksgiving. Boy, how that’s changed. The NFL’s best keeps rolling after an NFC North nail-biter.
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