NFL Power Rankings: 49ers actually move up, Raiders getting worse by the week

Bay Area pro football is down in the dumps. You’ll have to scroll, scroll and scroll some more to see where they fit in this week’s NFL power rankings. That should be a common practice as the weeks roll on, where we should see greater disparity between the haves and have nots. 
 
Let’s take a look at the latest pecking order. There should be no surprise which team’s back at the top. 
 
1. L.A. Rams (6-0)
Previous rank: 2. 
Not only are the Rams good, but they know how to win. 

2. New England (4-2)
Previous rank: 4
When Tom Brady has a full arsenal, look out. 

3. New Orleans (4-1)
Previous rank: 3
Saints biggest problem is how to split carries between Mark Ingram and Alvin Kamara. Real tough problem to have. 

4. Kansas City (5-1)
Previous rank: 1
That Chiefs defense is gonna cost Kansas City in the postseason.

5. L.A. Chargers (4-2)
Previous rank: 10
Melvin Gordon is rarely included among the NFL’s best backs. Maybe he should be. 

6. Baltimore (4-2)
Previous rank: 11
That Ravens defense is starting to look as nasty as ever. Like, early 2000s nasty. 

7. Cincinnati (4-2)
Previous rank: 6
No shame in that Steelers performance, other than letting Big Ben have the ball last. 

8. Minnesota (3-2-1)
Previous rank: 8
I see you out there Tay Train. 

9. Jacksonville (3-3)
Previous rank: 5
Cowboys took this Jags defense has been taken down a peg. 

10. Carolina (3-2)
Previous rank: 7
Carolina needs more from Christian McCaffrey then what it got against Washington

11. Chicago (3-2)
Previous rank: 9
Wait. Khalil Mack didn’t have a sack or forced fumble? Strange, strange day. 

12. Green Bay (3-2-1)
Previous rank: 12
The 49ers took them to the brink, but gave Aaron Rodgers too much time. Y’all know what happened next. 

13. Philadelphia (3-3)
Previous rank: 13
When Carson Wentz is on, the Eagles are tough to beat. Even without injured RB Jay Ajayi. 

14. Pittsburgh (2-3-1)
Previous rank: 15
There’s some lava bubbling up. A dormant volcano might be ready to erupt.  

15. Miami (4-2)
Previous rank: 17
Brock Osweiller three for 380 yards and three scores. Wait…Can pigs fly now?

16. Washington (3-2)
Previous rank: 21
Josh Norman gets sat down one game, blows up the next. A pick and a forced fumble. How a prideful talent responds to adversity. 

17. N.Y Jets (3-3)
Previous rank: 23
Gang Green forced four turnovers and scored 42. Another good showing for these overachievers. 
 
18. Seattle (3-3)
Previous rank: 19
Seahawks demolished the Raiders. Doesn’t make ‘em good. 

19. Houston (3-3)
Previous rank: 22
Bills QB Nathan Peterman throws a late, game-deciding pick six. Bill O’Brien should write him a thank you note. 

20. Cleveland (2-3-1)
Previous rank: 16
Baker Mayfield’s gonna be good. He’s also going to make some rookie mistakes. 

21. Tennessee (3-3)
Previous rank: 14
Marcus Mariota was sacked 10 freaking times. Unreal. Titans can’t score a lick. 

22. Denver (2-4)
Previous rank: 18
Broncos have played a brutal schedule thus far, and have lost some close ones to top teams. Don’t care. 2-4 is 2-4. 

23. Dallas (3-3)
Previous rank: 26
Cowboys absolutely stuck it to Jacksonville. Let’s see do something similar before saying they’re a contender. 

24. Detroit (2-3)
Previous rank: 24
Can’t lose if you don’t play. 

25. Atlanta (2-4)
Previous rank: 27
Gotta beat somebody better than Tampa Bay before shooting up these rankings. 
 
26. Tampa Bay (2-3)
Previous rank: 20
Firing DC Mike Smith will solve all of Tampa Bay’s woes? Sure. Uh-huh. First scapegoat of many. 

27. Buffalo (2-4)
Previous rank: 25
See what happens when you let Nathan Peterman touch the ball? Would’ve run the “wildcat” every down with Josh Allen out. 

28. Indianapolis (1-5)
Previous rank: 28
Dearest mother, our side made the young pilot from New York City look like a new me. I fear I may have to fire a thousand cannon shots and score with obscene regularity to ever taste sweet victory again. Your son, Andrew. 

29. N.Y Giants (1-4)
Previous rank: 29
Giants games are only fun if, like me, Saquon Barkley is on your fantasy team. 

30. 49ers (1-5)
Previous rank: 32
Showed real fight against the host Green Bay Packers. Impressive on several fronts. Still a loss, though.

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31. Arizona (1-5)
Previous rank: 31
Right back to the loss column. They can’t play the 49ers (or Raiders) every week. 

32. Raiders (1-5)
Previous rank: 32
Don’t for a single second blame that disaster in London on travel plans. Raiders got out-everythinged by Seattle. Somehow, this team is getting worse by the week.