NFL power rankings, Week 9: 49ers in dogfight in NFC

Week 8 of the NFL season is a wrap and it's time for more power rankings. The 49ers handled their business on Monday Night Football, but due to the teams ahead of them, they were unable to move up too much. They gained a spot in a couple rankings, but otherwise are sticking in that fourth/fifth spot.

Right now the Atlanta Falcons are the easy choice at number one given their undefeated record. It remains to be seen if they will be the best team at the end of the year, but for now the Falcons are playing some solid football. The top of the various power rankings are NFC heavy with the Falcons, Giants, Bears and 49ers controlling things. With the Packers climbing back to respectability and the Vikings heading into a brutal gauntlet on their schedule, this seems likely to settle into a four-team race for the NFC title.

Week 9 could lead to some modest shake-up as there are some interesting matchups. The big NFC matchups include the Seahawks hosting the Vikings. It is too early to call this an elimination matchup, but the loser will be in a tough spot. The Cardinals and Packers square off as well in Green Bay. The Cardinals are seeing their season fall apart before their very eyes. Even though they are not expected to win in Green Bay, a loss puts them in a tough position in the NFC West.

SB Nation NFL

1. Atlanta Falcons
2. Houston Texans
3. New York Giants
4. Chicago Bears
5. San Francisco 49ers

CBS Sports

1. Atlanta Falcons
2. Chicago Bears
3. Houston Texans
4. New York Giants
5. San Francisco 49ers

FOX Sports

1. Atlanta Falcons
2. Houston Texans
3. Chicago Bears
4. New York Giants
5. Green Bay Packers
6. San Francisco 49ers

ESPN

1. Atlanta Falcons
2. New York Giants
3. Houston Texans
4. San Francisco 49ers

NFL.com

1. Atlanta Falcons
2. Houston Texans
3. Chicago Bears
4. New York Giants
5. San Francisco 49ers