NFL Power Rankings: Where 49ers stand after loss to Ravens originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
The NFL playoff picture is starting to crystalize as we head toward 2024.
Week 16 started with the Los Angeles Rams’ statement win over the New Orleans Saints. The Rams now are in pole position to earn the second wild-card spot and a Wild Card Weekend date with the Detroit Lions.
Saturday saw Jake Browning and the Cincinnati Bengals put their playoff hopes on life support with a loss to Mason Rudolph and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills avoided a catastrophic loss in L.A. to climb to the No. 6 spot in the AFC.
On Sunday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers took another step toward the NFC South crown by pummeling the Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Dallas Cowboys all but locked themselves into the No. 5 slot with a loss in Miami.
In Chicago, the Bears bounced back from a horrific loss in Cleveland with a 27-16 win over a relatively listless Cardinals team. The Bears’ playoff hopes are all but dashed but wins over the Falcons and Packers to finish the season will create some positive momentum heading into the offseason.
In the Christmas Night finale, the Baltimore Ravens rolled into Santa Clara and bludgeoned the 49ers in what very well could be a Super Bowl preview. There’s a new Super Bowl favorite and MVP front-runner with two weeks to go, and they both reside in Baltimore.
Here’s where each team stands after Week 16:
32. Carolina Panthers (2-13): Barring two wins to close the season, the Panthers will hand the No. 1 pick to the Bears after a dreadful 2023. Not how Scott Fitterer drew it up.
31. Arizona Cardinals (3-12): The Cardinals aren’t even on the ground floor of the rebuild. They are still digging to set the foundation. It’s going to take some time to get things right in the desert.
30. Washington Commanders (4-11): Jayden Daniels and (perhaps) Drake Maye might want to start looking at real estate in the DMV. Sam Howell no longer looks like…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-power-rankings-where-49ers-063044008.html
Author : NBC Sports BayArea
Publish date : 2023-12-26 06:30:44
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