And with another loss comes a continued drop in the power rankings. I missed the end of the Cardinals-Giants game and upon seeing the score the next day was just a little bit surprised. Given the late start on the east coast (really never can get used to that when I head back) I actually went to bed before the game even ended. Last week when the 49ers were on a bye and the 49ers beat Seattle, I thought it was still a little premature to push them past the 49ers in most power rankings. It wasn't horrible judgment to do so, but I thought it might have been just a little bit too quick.
However, that win over the Giants, coupled with the 49ers own loss definitely gives them a legit reason to be up high. These next few weeks are going to be really important for both teams. The 49ers face a mix of good and bad teams, while the Cardinals toughest game between now and early December is at Chicago. And given how the Bears have looked at times, that might not be so tough. If the Cardinals don't blow it, they could very well be 9-2 heading into their December 6 home game with the Vikings, the week before they face the 49ers in prime time.
ESPN - #20 (15) - Alex Smith and Michael Crabtree renew interest in the 49ers as they try to revive the offense.
- Arizona - #10 (16)
- Seattle - #23 (23)
- St. Louis - #32 (32)
The Big Lead - #17 (17)
- Arizona - #11 (13)
- Seattle - #23 (23)
- St. Louis - #30 (30)
Fox Sports - #17 (12) - Although some hopes were certainly being extinguished as the Niners fell behind the Texans 21-0 early last week, backup QB and former No. 1 overall pick Alex Smith emerged to lead a near-comeback win.
- Arizona - #9 (18)
- Seattle - #22 (20)
- St. Louis - #31 (30)
CBS Sports - #18 (17) - Alex Smith is in as the new quarterback. It has to be that way. They have to find out if he can be the long-term answer.
- Arizona - #12 (13)
- Seattle - #23 (23)
- St. Louis - #31 (31)
Pro Football Talk (via NBCSports.com) - #18 (14) - The return of Alex Smith means that it's one big step closer to the arrival of the Nate Davis era.
- Arizona - #12 (16)
- Seattle - #23 (23)
- St. Louis - #31 (31)
NFL.com (Brandt) - #19 (15)
- Arizona - #9 (10)
- Seattle - #24 (24)
- St. Louis - #31 (31)
NFL.com (Brooks) - #18 (12)
- Arizona - #10 (13)
- Seattle - #22 (23)
- St. Louis - #32 (32)
NFL.com (Carucci) - #20 (15)
- Arizona - #7 (10)
- Seattle - #21 (21)
- St. Louis - #31 (30)
WhatIfSports.com - #14 (11)
- Arizona - #7 (9)
- Seattle - #23 (21)
- St. Louis - #26 (29)
Average 49ers Ranking: 18.11 (14.22)
Average Cardinals Ranking: 9.33 (13.11)
Average Seahawks Ranking: 22.67 (22.33)
Average Rams Ranking: 30.56 (30.67)