Schrock’s NFL Power Rankings: Where 49ers stand after Week 2 win originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Week 2 of the 2023 NFL season helped solidify some early-season beliefs after the opening week.

The 49ers are the best team in the NFL, and I’m not sure it’s all that close if they remain healthy. The Philadelphia Eagles are missing something, and we know the Dallas Cowboys will careen off the road at some point.

In the AFC, the Kansas City Chiefs got back on track with a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, while expected contenders fell to 0-2 in Cincinnati and Los Angeles. If Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert can’t right their ships, the Ravens, Dolphins, and Bills are the AFC’s only chance to knock off Patrick Mahomes.

Week 2 saw several teams that flopped in Week 1 get back on the horse. The Chiefs, Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo Bills, Tennessee Titans, and New Orleans Saints all rebounded to get back to .500.

The Bears did not.

Quarterback Justin Fields struggled, and the defense got diced up by Baker Mayfield in a dismal 27-17 loss to the Bucs in Tampa.

The Bears have real issues, and there doesn’t appear to be a quick fix for anything that ails them, which led to a precipitous drop in this week’s power rankings:

32. Houston Texans (0-2): It’s going to be a loooong year for DeMeco Ryans.

31. Arizona Cardinals (0-2): The Cardinals are absolutely going to eff around, and both their chances at the No. 1 pick. It’ll happen, give it time.

30. Chicago Bears (0-2): Given the influx of talent over the offseason, it’s fair to say the Bears look worse than they did last year. An unacceptable start in Chicago – one that should have fans worried about the direction of the franchise.

29. Carolina Panthers (0-1): The Bears might wind up having two top-five picks next year. That’s a silver lining.

28. Denver Broncos (0-2): Let’s ride … to the dump. Part 2.

27. Indianapolis Colts (1-1): Anthony Richardson is going to be the real deal. Planting my flag.

26. Los Angeles…