Week 12 NFL Power Rankings and the 49ers

by David Fucillo on Dec 4, 2009 10:00 AM PST in San Francisco 49ers News

The 49ers made a nice little jump from last week with the win over Jacksonville. I'm not sure what kind of respect a win over Seattle will get, but obviously we'll take it. Over at SB Nation, the 49ers came in 20th in the power rankings, the same ranking they had last week. Last week I voted them 20th and this week I bumped them up to 18th. I'm surprised they didn't climb even a little bit.

ESPN - #20 (20) - The Niners can improve their record to 4-0 in the division by completing sweep of Seahawks.

Arizona - #8 (5)
Seattle - #25 (25)
St. Louis - #31 (31)

The Big Lead - #19 (20) - Since taking over for the ineffective Shaun Hill, Alex Smith has been perfectly adequate, throwing for 11 TD’s against 7 INT’s and leading the Niners to, um, a 2-4 record. I guess it’s not the perfect comeback story.

Arizona - #9 (9)
Seattle - #23 (24)
St. Louis - #32 (29)

Fox Sports - #20 (22) - The Niners can sneak back into the playoff race if they take care of business against Seattle this week, plus with the Lions and Rams in Weeks 16 and 17 during the final postseason push.

Arizona - #11 (11)
Seattle - #25 (25)
St. Louis - #29 (29)

CBS Sports - #21 (23) - Alex Smith has five games to show he is their guy for the future. He looked comfortable against the Jaguars.

Arizona - #11 (8)
Seattle - #23 (25)
St. Louis - #30 (30)

Pro Football Talk (via NBCSports.com) - #18 (22) - If the Niners beat the Seahawks and the Cardinals lose to the Vikings, first place in the NFC West will be on the line in Week 14.

Arizona - #9 (6)
Seattle - #24 (28)
St. Louis - #30 (30)

NFL.com (Brandt) - #17 (23)

Arizona - #10 (6)
Seattle - #24 (24)
St. Louis - #30 (30)

NFL.com (Brooks) - #17 (21)

Arizona - #11 (8)
Seattle - #23 (26)
St. Louis - #31 (31)

NFL.com (Carucci) - #18 (22)

Arizona - #8 (6)
Seattle - #24 (23)
St. Louis - #30 (30)

WhatIfSports.com - #10 (15)

Arizona - #13 (9)
Seattle - #23 (26)
St. Louis - #27 (25)

Average 49ers Ranking: 17.78 (21.00)
Average Cardinals Ranking: 10.00 (7.38)
Average Seahawks Ranking: 23.78 (25.25)
Average Rams Ranking: 30.00 (29.50)

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Comments

I'm so excited for these next few weeks

It’s funny how much of a difference relevance makes in a season!

Of course, the 49ers have a track record of breaking our hearts, but it’s different now! (I swear!)

by brundylop on Dec 4, 2009 10:33 AM PST reply actions

So am I

If we win out and the Cards lose against the Viks and Packers, we will a 10-6 record to their 9-7 and we can still lost one game as long as it isnt against the Cards and we sneak in at 9-7.

The rest of the reason is win, win, win, win, win and we are in. LOL

by danknerd49 on Dec 4, 2009 10:42 AM PST up reply actions

I'm worried about the Eagles

Confident in all the other games. Including the Cards losing to the Vikes

by mountaindew77 on Dec 4, 2009 12:06 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

They did barely beat the ’Skins at home a couple weeks ago.

by Mangoman1 on Dec 4, 2009 2:18 PM PST up reply actions

We don't even have to win out

All we need to do is be tied with them at the end of the season and we’re heading to the playoffs.

by smileyman on Dec 4, 2009 12:43 PM PST up reply actions

We still have to have a better divisional record if AZ wins the monday night game

And if that’s tied, a better conference record. I believe that’s how it works anyway.

by mountaindew77 on Dec 4, 2009 3:53 PM PST up reply actions

Nope

Got to have the better record overall. Tiebreakers then come down to conference and then division, and then I think it’s strength of schedule.

by smileyman on Dec 4, 2009 9:08 PM PST up reply actions

As long as the 49ers win next week against AZ they'll win the tie breaker

Since the 49ers will have gone 2-0 against AZ on the season. I’m predicting equall 9-7 records and the 49ers get a home playoff game because of the tie breaker

Don't trust this guy. He lies.

by urnext on Dec 5, 2009 9:47 AM PST up reply actions

I'll care about expert rankings

When we’re above .500, until then we’re one of the masses. If we win this week and next, it’ll be interesting to see how the team is viewed nationally. I’ll even be interested as to how far apart they rank the Niners and Cards should SF win Sunday and AZ lose. At that point they’d be separated by one game with the Niners having won the head to head battle.

You gotta bring ass to get ass.

by SpurredOn on Dec 4, 2009 1:13 PM PST reply actions

I wonder why What if Sports

has the Niners at #10.

Alaska is a state, dammit! Can I get a Niner game on TV up here?

by kinglouie33 on Dec 4, 2009 1:49 PM PST reply actions

good question

They’ve had them higher than most sites for a good chunk of the year. I’ll email them and see what’s up with that.

by David Fucillo on Dec 4, 2009 2:03 PM PST up reply actions

Maybe they could foresee the change in offense and thought that should be their ranking once it happened??

Ok so I’m a bit of an optimist/idealist.

by Mangoman1 on Dec 4, 2009 2:21 PM PST up reply actions

After all

It IS called “what if” sports. :)

by Mangoman1 on Dec 4, 2009 2:23 PM PST up reply actions

I think they simulate the games

So a computer is doing the rankings based on their stats, not a person.

Don't trust this guy. He lies.

by urnext on Dec 5, 2009 7:21 AM PST up reply actions

How awesome is it ???

…That there are RELEVANT games in DECEMBER for the Niners ??? Even if they totally blow it and lose to the SeaHags, it is totally awesome what Singletary has done in a season and a third! The team is playing like they CARE! This new RAYE-GUN offense is working somewhat, and Alex seems more comfortable throwing out of the shotgun. With our 2 stellar tight ends Davis and Walker, the Niners have found a combination that is difficult for teams to stop. Throw in Gore and even the rookie Crabtree and the Niners all of a sudden look like they have weapons!

The defense has played more than solid the entire year, but the wear and tear has started to show up a bit. Jones-Drew ran very effectively against a run defense that has been stout all year. Lets hope the defense can keep it together for a few more games and we can get a shot at #1 in the West on Monday night against the Cards at Candlestick!

The Cards will most likely lose to the Vikings this weekend so it is up to the Niners to beat the SeaHags and set up the most meaningful game for the Niners since 2002!! Imagine that? The Niners with a SHOT at #1 in DECEMBER! Now that is a dramatic difference from 2008. They are playing with purpose. Maybe not stellar play, but the effort is there. I think the Niners can do it! The Schedule is set up down the stretch for the Niners to pull it off! After the Cards, the Niners have one tough game against the Eagles in Philly, but after that it’s the Lions and the Rams to finish off the season. The Cards have a pretty easy schedule too, but their final game is against Green Bay at home. Hopefully the Niners can hang tough and finish strong.

I am excited that the Niners are still in the HUNT! Who would have thought that this team would still be in it in December! That alone makes it a good season for Singletary! Lets face it, it has been tough sledding for most of this season, but if they can beat the Hags and set up the big game against the Cards at home on a Monday Night for the whole nation to see, this season goes from so-so to VERY promising all of a sudden! Sometimes a team can just get hot going into the playoffs. Look at the Cards last year?? Anything is possible once you get to the dance! But first you got to get to the dance. That makes the game against the Seahawks a MUST WIN!! GO NINERS !!!

Another year, another chance to hope for the team !!

by FaStRmAn on Dec 4, 2009 5:31 PM PST reply actions