Don’t you love it when each week has its own theme?
This was the week of upsets.
It all started with one of the best games of the season on Thursday night, and continued, to a lesser degree, on Sunday as some bottom-feeders eked out some ugly victories.
Here is where the 49ers sit in the NFL Week 6 power rankings after their win over the Los Angeles Rams and heading into “Monday Night Football:”
32. New York Jets (Last week: 30)
Record: 0-5
Justin Fields might be one weapon shy of actually having a nice offense around him. It’s a shame this once-great defense is great no more.
31. Tennessee Titans (Last week: 32)
Record: 1-4
It’s been an ugly season for rookie Cam Ward and the Titans, but they notched their first, and potentially only, win this season. Do yourself a favor and go watch the video of Ward’s interception-turned-touchdown.
30. New Orleans Saints (Last week: 31)
Record: 1-4
Spencer Rattler has exceeded expectations this season and deserves a lot of credit for keeping this team in games week after week. He was rewarded with his first win.
29. Cleveland Browns (Last week: 28)
Record: 1-4
A pretty solid NFL debut for Dillon Gabriel, who had a chance at the upset because of a strong defense.
28. Miami Dolphins (Last week: 27)
Record: 1-4
This Darren Waller resurgence is bizarre. Why would anyone give up a career in hip hop to play for the Dolphins?
27. Cincinnati Bengals (Last week: 26)
Record: 2-3
Please trade for a quarterback. Jake Browning is on a 30-interception pace. This is really hard to watch.
26. New York Giants (Last week: 25)
Record: 1-4
It was a tale of two halves for Jaxson Dart. These are the growing pains they will have to live with this season.
25. Carolina Panthers (Last week: 29)
Record: 2-3
As president of the Rico Dowdle Fan Club, I think I deserve a victory lap. This is what Dallas could have had last year had they trusted him with bell cow duties.
24. Las Vegas Raiders (Last week: 23)
Record: 1-4
Remember when “they” wrote Geno Smith off and he didn’t write back? Well Geno, you’ve got mail again.
23. Arizona Cardinals (Last week: 20)
Record: 2-3
Had Emari Demercado not had one of the most embarrassing gaffes in football, this result would have been different. Instead, they lost to arguably the worst team in the league.
22. Chicago Bears (Last week: 21)
Record: 2-2
(Bye week)
21. Houston Texans (Last week: 22)
Record: 2-3
C.J. Stroud had his best game since his rookie season, and against a talented (on paper) Baltimore defense. Might there be hope?
20. Dallas Cowboys (Last week: 19)
Record: 2-2-1
Dak Prescott has been fantastic this season, as has George Pickens, who looks like one of the best pick-ups of the offseason.
19. New England Patriots (Last week: 24)
Record: 3-2
Stefon Diggs is almost all the way back. Two big games in a row, and it looks like Drake Maye finally has a true No. 1. The biggest win of the young quarterback’s career.
18. Baltimore Ravens (Last week: 12)
Record: 1-4
The free-falling Ravens were without Lamar Jackson and turned to Cooper Rush, who threw three picks while the defense opted out of playing altogether. Things are looking bleak in Baltimore, but there’s a lot of season left.
17. Atlanta Falcons (Last week: 17)
Record: 2-2
(Bye week)
16. Minnesota Vikings (Last week: 18)
Record: 3-2
Jordan Addison both entered and left the doghouse in the same game. Carson Wentz continues to keep them alive, but if he goes down …
15. Jacksonville Jaguars (Last week: 16)
Record: 3-1
(Monday Night Football)
14. Seattle Seahawks (Last week: 9)
Record: 3-2
I feel the pressure, under more scrutiny. And what I do? Act more stupidly. Oh, Sam Darnold…
13. Washington Commanders (Last week: 15)
Record: 3-2
Not only is Jayden Daniels back, which means all is right in the ‘Manders world, but their defense straight up bullied Los Angeles on Sunday.
12. Denver Broncos (Last week: 14)
Record: 3-2
Don’t look now, but Nik Bonitto is playing himself into the Defensive Player of the Year conversation. A massive, massive win for Denver over the reigning champs.
11. Los Angeles Rams (Last week: 6)
Record: 3-2
A choke job of epic proportions against the most cursed team in football, but ownage is ownage and the lights were too bright for Kyren Williams and Sean McVay.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers (Last week: 10)
Record: 3-1
(Bye week)
9. Kansas City Chiefs (Last week: 8)
Record: 2-2
(Monday Night Football)
8. Indianapolis Colts (Last week: 13)
Record: 4-1
The Colts are a wagon. Jonathan Taylor is the best running back in football. Daniel Jones is a good system quarterback again. This is a playoff team.
7. San Francisco 49ers (Last week: 11)
Record: 4-1
They stunned the world on Thursday night. Mac Jones is a baller. Kyle Shanahan deserves early Coach of the Year consideration. As impressive as the win was, there still is a dark injury cloud hanging over the team. Let’s see if they can get healthy.
6. Los Angeles Chargers (Last week: 4)
Record: 3-2
We got Trey Lance snaps? That can’t be a good sign. Neither can a box score with six different players recording a carry. Just simply out of whack all day, and now they might be without Omarion Hampton for a bit.
5. Green Bay Packers (Last week: 7)
Record: 2-1-1
(Bye week)
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Last week: 5)
Record: 4-1
I’ve seen enough. Emeka Egbuka is a star. He’s currently keeping pace with the rookie receiving yards record and I think he’ll get it.
3. Philadelphia Eagles (Last week: 2)
Record: 4-1
I’m not sounding the alarm bells over Philly’s offense, but I’m also not not sounding the alarm bells. I’m getting a whiff of S*per B*wl Han*over, but it’s still early.
2. Buffalo Bills (Last week: 1)
Record: 4-1
Sometimes Josh Allen turnovers prove very costly. It doesn’t happen often, but it’s a reminder that he is human. With an ineffective James Cook, this offense was stuck in its tracks. Down goes the last unbeaten team.
1. Detroit Lions (Last week: 3)
Record: 4-1
This was supposed to be as easy of a win as they come, and it was for three quarters, until Detroit got a little too relaxed. Only two sacks against arguably the worst O-line in football?
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