:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57397153/867844990.0.jpg)
We are through another week of the 2017 NFL season, and before it had even wrapped, things got crazy! Monday was a busy day of NFL news, and the San Francisco 49ers topped things with their trade of a second round pick to the New England Patriots for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.
The 49ers are currently 0-8, and have a train wreck of an offensive line thanks to a host of injuries. They need to find protecting for Garoppolo, but they have found the guy they will invest in as their quarterback of the future. It remains to be seen how that will play out, but the 49ers have the guy they are hoping can solve that conundrum.
The end of the week means it is time for Week 9 NFL power rankings. I don’t see how there was any other possible result for this week than to move the 49ers to No. 1. It won’t last, but we can enjoy this for one week!
It’s kind of a fitting trade given how wild the NFL has been this season. There are some of the usual suspects up top, with the New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs, and Seattle Seahawks are playing well. But there are some surprises. The New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings have both stepped up in a big way, sitting at 5-2 and 6-2, respectively. The Saints addition of Marshon Lattimore has been huge for that defense, while the Vikings run game has actually been more efficient since Dalvin Cook was lost for the season.
The 49ers face the Arizona Cardinals later this week. C.J. Beathard likely gets the start, and could get the start against the Giants in Week 10, before Garoppolo moves into the starting lineup. If the 49ers beat Arizona, I’ll keep them No. 1. If the 49ers lose to Arizona, well, I guess I move them back to No. 31 until Garoppolo gets into the lineup!
Week 9 power rankings
| Rank | Team | LW |
|---|---|---|
| Rank | Team | LW |
| 1 | San Francisco Garoppolos (0-8) | 31 |
| 2 | Philadelphia Eagles (7-1) | 1 |
| 3 | Pittsburgh Steelers (6-2) | 2 |
| 4 | New England Patriots (6-2) | 3 |
| 5 | Kansas City Chiefs (6-2) | 4 |
| 6 | Seattle Seahawks (5-2) | 5 |
| 7 | Los Angeles Rams (5-2) | 6 |
| 8 | Minnesota Vikings (6-2) | 7 |
| 9 | Buffalo Bills (5-2) | 8 |
| 10 | Carolina Panthers (5-3) | 9 |
| 11 | Atlanta Falcons (4-3) | 11 |
| 12 | Dallas Cowboys (4-3) | 13 |
| 13 | Green Bay Packers (4-3) | 12 |
| 14 | New Orleans Saints (5-2) | 18 |
| 15 | Houston Texans (3-4) | 20 |
| 16 | Jacksonville Jaguars (4-3) | 16 |
| 17 | Tennessee Titans (4-3) | 17 |
| 18 | Washington (3-4) | 14 |
| 19 | Detroit Lions (3-4) | 15 |
| 20 | Baltimore Ravens (4-4) | 21 |
| 21 | Denver Broncos (3-4) | 10 |
| 22 | Miami Dolphins (4-3) | 19 |
| 23 | Cincinnati Bengals (3-4) | 26 |
| 24 | Oakland Raiders (3-5) | 22 |
| 25 | Chicago Bears (3-5) | 23 |
| 26 | Los Angeles Chargers (3-5) | 24 |
| 27 | New York Jets (3-5) | 25 |
| 28 | Arizona Cardinals (3-4) | 28 |
| 29 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-5) | 27 |
| 30 | Indianapolis Colts (2-6) | 29 |
| 31 | New York Giants (1-6) | 30 |
| 32 | Cleveland Browns (0-8) | 32 |