The 49ers haven’t done anything to unseat themselves from the top spot of the USA TODAY Sports NFL power rankings. There was some movement behind them though with a new contender emerging in the NFC.
Buffalo’s romp over the Dolphins moved them up to No. 2 in the rankings by USA TODAY’s Nate Davis. The Eagles fell one spot to No. 3 after occupying the second position all year. Their dip came in part because of the Bills’ rise and in part because of their struggles to fend off the Commanders at home in Week 4.
Dallas, the 49ers’ other top NFC contender, jumped back into the top five after falling to No. 9 with their Week 3 loss to the Cardinals. A thorough drubbing of the Patriots helped Dallas jump to No. 4.
The Lions, a sneaky NFC contender, round out the top five after they thumped the Packers in Green Bay on Thursday night. They climbed one spot to No. 5, while the Chiefs dipped from No. 5 to No. 6 thanks to a Sunday night struggle with Zach Wilson and the Jets.
Meanwhile the 49ers remain atop the heap because their dominant wins keep coming. They have victories by 23, 7, 18 and 19 so far this season, and that one-score win came thanks to a meaningless end-of-game field goal by the Rams.
A huge test is coming in Week 5 though when San Francisco hosts the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football. A win over Dallas might cement the 49ers as the NFL’s best team. A loss would push them down somewhere into the heap of teams below them. If they beat the Cowboys they might never relinquish the No. 1 spot.
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