Where the 49ers sit after win against the Cowboys – NBC Sports Bay Area & California

SANTA CLARA – Nine weeks remain in the 2024 NFL season, but for some teams their playoff hopes may have ended today.

For numerous mediocre teams, it was a week of keeping their mouths shut, and while some heeded the call, others buckled under the pressure.

Jayden Daniels played the hero and delivered one of the most memorable plays in league history, Jets fans are panicking and while some contenders got healthy, others continued to lose key pieces.

Here's where the 49ers head into Week 9 after picking up a big win over the Dallas Cowboys.

32. Carolina Panthers (Last week: 32)

Record: 1-7

If Bryce Young can throw for 220 yards and two touchdowns every week – or close to it – then it's worth letting him develop. Even if he has several turnovers.

31. Tennessee Titans (Last week: 31)

Record: 1-6

There were signs of offensive competence, particularly from Tony Pollard and Calvin Ridley. But the rest of this team is terrible.

30. New York Giants (Last week: 28)

Record: 2-6

I am formally calling on Congress to draft and immediately pass legislation banning the Giants from access to prime-time games indefinitely. This is ridiculous. Daniel Jones was predictably awful.

29. New England Patriots (Last week: 30)

Record: 2-6

Jacoby Brissett is a great backup quarterback because he can take over as the starter and maybe keep you around long enough to win the game like he did today. Hopefully Drake Maye will be back soon and Brissett can serve as a backup again.

28. Las Vegas Raiders (Last week: 25)

Record: 2-6

Fueling with pride means competing with the defending champions and losing by a point. Excellent work. They continue to do what they should do.

27. Jacksonville Jaguars (Last week: 27)

Record: 2-6

More decent play from Trevor Lawrence, but it's just not enough. Tank Bigsby was supposed to be the RB1 moving forward, but they're going nowhere.

26. New Orleans Saints (Last week: 23)

Record: 2-6

Derek Carr is just an average quarterback, but this offense is absolutely lazy without him. I'm afraid they've dug themselves too deep into a hole for him to return.

25. Cleveland Browns (Last week: 29)

Record: 2-6

Jameis. Winston. Regulate. Jump on his back and let him carry you to .500, nothing more. The mood is infinitely better. Very impressive win.

24. New York Jets (Last week: 20)

Record: 2-6

This was a game you couldn't lose and they lost it. To the patriots. Awkward. Stick a fork into the jets, they are cooked.

23. Miami Dolphins (Last week: 26)

Record: 2-5

Tua Tagovailoa is back and so is this offense. Almost. However, at 2-5, they can't afford many more losses. They need to make a move, and quickly, if there is any hope of turning the season around.

22. Indianapolis Colts (Last week: 21)

Record: 4-4

The sight of Anthony Richardson is infuriating. He'll make a few impressive big throws per game while having 22(???) incompletions.

21. Cincinnati Bengals (Last week: 17)

Record: 3-5

This might be one of the worst defenses in the league and the main reason they probably won't make the playoffs. You can't ask Joe Burow to win shootouts every week.

20. Los Angeles Rams (Last week: 24)

Record: 3-4

This is a completely different team at full strength. Welcome back, Cooper Kupp. Welcome back, Puka Nacua. Kyren Williams, keep doing your thing. Time to go for a run.

19. Arizona Cardinals (Last week: 22)

Record: 4-4

Now this is the Cardinals offense we have come to expect this season. Even against a pretty good Miami defense. Their rise will only last as long as Marvin Harrison's.

18. Seattle Seahawks (Last week: 16)

Record: 4-4

No running game, no victory. It's that simple when DK Metcalf is out. Geno Smith can't play a hero without his full range of weapons.

17. Dallas Cowboys (Last week: 14)

Record: 3-4

How much money do you pay Dak Prescott? My goodness. Heads are likely to roll any day.

16. Los Angeles Chargers (Last week: 19)

Record: 4-3

Justin Herbert has his man and it's Ladd McConkey. Could we have a Cooper Kupp Lite on our hands?

15. Denver Broncos (Last week: 18)

Record: 5-3

I humbly admit that I was somewhat wrong about Bo Nix. I still don't think he's anything special, but he continues to develop as a passer every week. He's actually pretty decent.

14. Chicago Bears (Last week: 13)

Record: 4-3

Caleb Williams lost the battle of first-round rookie quarterbacks and looked pretty bad doing it. There will be growing pains. No need to panic.

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Last week: 11)

Record: 4-4

Baker Mayfield can still make it through the air without Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, but it won't be pretty. Things won't get any easier from now on.

12. San Francisco 49ers (Last week: 15)

Record: 4-4

The offense started slow, but man, they really stepped up their game in the second half. A big win before the bye week, where Christian McCaffrey could be waiting for them on the other side. Is this the starting point for the season?

11. Atlanta Falcons (Last week: 12)

Record: 5-3

Kirk Cousins ​​does wonders for this offense. It took him a few weeks to shake off the rust and we're starting to see the strong Falcons offense we expected. Kyle Pitt's fantasy managers are pinching themselves.

10. Green Bay Packers (Last week: 10)

Record: 6-2

Malik Willis filled in admirably for the injured Jordan Love. Where have I heard this story before? Oh yes, twice already this season. Can they afford another week-long absence?

9. Washington Commanders (Last week: 9)

Record: 6-2

What do we call this the Maryland Miracle? Regardless, what an incredible moment for Jayden Daniels. The Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign is underway again. And possibly more?

8. Houston Texans (Last week: 6)

Record: 6-2

CJ Stroud has been a godsend this season, but Joe Mixon is the straw that breaks the camel's back. They may have to rely on him more if Stefon Diggs is out for an extended period of time.

7. Pittsburgh Steelers (Last week: 7)

Record: 6-2

Russell Wilson and the Steelers could have won this game blindfolded. Pittsburgh's defense, dominated by Daniel Jones, was the lock of the century. It's also worth noting that Najee Harris actually looks good this season and no one is really talking about it.

6. Baltimore Ravens (Last week: 4)

Record: 5-3

The Ravens' road defense is all bark and no bite. A good Browns defense forced Lamar Jackson and Co. to deviate from their game plan.

5. Minnesota Vikings (Last week: 3)

Record: 5-2

We are facing a controversy. Yes, the referees missed a call, but that can't be right The Sorry for a 10 point loss. They were simply beaten.

4. Philadelphia Eagles (Last week: 8)

Record: 5-2

Jalen Hurts was masterful and wowed Saquon Barkley's touchdowns, but I don't think they care. The Birds are back to their first half form of 2023.

3. Buffalo Bills (Last week: 5)

Record: 6-2

A healthy James Cook and a more balanced passing attack are doing wonders for Josh Allen, who didn't even have to get the ball to Amari Cooper.

2. Detroit Lions (Last week: 2)

Record: 6-1

You can understand my surprise when I opened the box score and saw that Jared Goff had 85 yards in a game where Detroit scored 52 points. It's hard to argue that this isn't the best team in the league right now. I want to take her to the top, I really do. But then there is the…

1. Kansas City Chiefs (Last week: 1)

Record: 7-0

The champion remains undefeated. They'll keep this spot as long as it stays that way. It may not always be pretty, but they find ways. We may have written off the Patrick Mahomes-Travis Kelce connection too soon.

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