San Francisco, CA

NFL power rankings: Where 49ers stand after bad loss to Cardinals

Published

2 months ago

October 7, 2024

NFL power rankings: Where 49ers stand after bad loss to Cardinals

SANTA CLARA — If you’re a fan of offense, this was the week for you.

Nine teams scored 30-plus points and three games combined for 60 or more. Captain Kirk Cousins threw for a whopping 509 passing yards, Joe Burrow tossed five touchdown passes, the 49ers, for the umpteenth time in the Kyle Shanahan Era, blew a fourth-quarter lead and Jayden Daniels continued his Offensive Rookie of the Year and NFL MVP campaigns.

The best matchups of the week delivered but unfortunately the worst of the worst teams still found their way onto our screens.

Here’s where the 49ers and the rest of the league stand entering “Monday Night Football.”

32. Tennessee Titans (Last week: 32)

Record: 1-3 (Bye week)

The backbreaking Will Levis turnovers have become automatic. The viral images afterward have been the highlight of their season.

31. Carolina Panthers (Last week: 31)

Record: 1-4

Andy Dalton makes this team watchable but not by much. Continue to #TankWithPride

30. New England Patriots (Last week: 30)

Record: 1-4

The NFL’s worst offense was as advertised but at least Rhamondre Stevenson didn’t fumble! Baby steps.

29. Miami Dolphins (Last week: 27)

Record: 2-3

This offense is borderline unwatchable in its current state. The only thing separating them from the worst of the worst is their backfield. Still plenty of speed.

28. New York Giants (Last week: 28)

Record: 2-3

Daniel Jones cooked without Malik Nabers. Credit where credit is due. Did Tyrone Tracy just become RB1?

27. Jacksonville Jaguars (Last week: 29)

Record: 1-4

Another strong showing from Trevor Lawrence who I was oh-so-close to declaring a bust two weeks ago. I still need to see a lot more but he’s playing much, much better these days.

26. Las Vegas Raiders (Last week: 25)

Record: 2-3

The Raiders looked horrendous which probably means they will beat a very good Steelers team next week. No wonder Davante Adams wanted out. It’s time to embrace the tank.

25. Cleveland Browns (Last week: 20)

Record: 1-4

Please get off my television screen and never return. It’s time you recognize the colossal mistake you made, rip the bandaid off and put in Jameis Winston.

24. Los Angeles Rams (Last week: 21)

Record: 1-4

Kyren Williams can’t do it all but he might have no choice to until Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua return.

23. Indianapolis Colts (Last week: 23)

Record: 2-3

Backup quarterback Joe Flacco and the offense put up 34 points without its most important player. The difference between the veteran and a wreckless gunslinging rookie is night and day.

22. Denver Broncos (Last week: 26)

Record: 3-2

Bo Nix is improving after a terrible start to the season and their defense is very, very good. I don’t think they’re good but they’re certainly not bad.

21. Arizona Cardinals (Last week: 22)

Record: 2-3

The second NFC West team in two weeks to stun the 49ers with an epic comeback. Kyler Murray and James Conner gashed an exhausted San Francisco defense while Arizona’s defense came away with two massive fourth-quarter takeaways.

20. Los Angeles Chargers (Last week: 19)

Record: 2-2 (Bye week)

Someone needs to step up in the passing game and perhaps that’s rookie Ladd McConkey. A much-needed bye for hobbled quarterback Justin Herbert.

19. Cincinnati Bengals (Last week: 18)

Record: 1-4

One of these years we are going to stop counting out Joe Burrow and the Bengals’ offense after a slow start to the season. Five touchdowns and almost 400 passing yards against the Ravens’ defense is a statement, even in a tough loss.

18. New York Jets (Last week: 14)

Record: 2-3

The Vikings’ defense is elite but Aaron Rodgers looked B-A-D. I’m not going to throw around the six-letter word that starts with “w” for the future Pro Football Hall of Famer after five games, but he’s beginning to look the part.

17. Chicago Bears (Last week: 24)

Record: 3-2

Has Caleb Williams arrived? It sure looks like it. This could be a good offense to pair with an elite defense. However, against Carolina, it’s best not to overreact.

16. New Orleans Saints (Last week: 11)

Record: 2-2

Derek Carr looks like he’s back to being Derek Carr. Can they re-enter true contender territory with a road win over the defending champs on Monday night?

15. Green Bay Packers (Last week: 15)

Record: 3-2

With Jordan Love back, the Packers once again are a true contender but can they make up ground on the Vikings?

14. Seattle Seahawks (Last week: 13)

Record: 3-2

The smell of fraudulence is worsening by the week. Shut down Seattle’s running game and your chances of winning skyrocket.

13. San Francisco 49ers (Last week: 7)

Record: 2-3

A 10-point lead entering the fourth quarter? What could go wrong? Oh yeah, everything. Another inexcusable loss. They’ve reached their quota for the season. This team reeks of a Super Bowl hangover.

12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Last week: 12)

Record: 3-2

If the season ended today, Baker Mayfield would be an MVP finalist. What a wild thought that would have been two years ago. A tough loss to a good team but had that Bucky Irving fumble not happened …

11. Atlanta Falcons (Last week: 17)

Record: 3-2

Kirk Cousins threw for how many yards?! As impressive as this offense looks I still have no idea what they’re doing with Bijan Robinson. Throwing the ball 50-plus times a game is not sustainable but for now, something is cooking in the ATL.

10. Pittsburgh Steelers (Last week: 10)

Record: 3-2

The Steelers are going to lead the league in gross, gritty games this season. Most of which should result in wins but sometimes your offense just needs to do more.

9. Dallas Cowboys (Last week: 9)

Record: 3-2

Rico Dowdle is the answer on the ground. They finally have seen the light. Dak Prescott? Well, he was blinded by it. Until he delivered in the clutch. Man was that an ugly win.

8. Washington Commanders (Last week: 16)

Record: 4-1

Jayden Daniels not only is the leading candidate for Offensive Rookie of the Year but he might be the leading candidate for MVP which is absolutely absurd for a rookie quarterback through five weeks. He truly is something special.

7. Philadelphia Eagles (Last week: 8)

Record: 2-2 (Bye week)

The defense might be as big of a liability as last season but the offense has the pieces to keep pace with anyone if healthy.

6. Buffalo Bills (Last week: 4)

Record: 3-2

Josh Allen looked human and when Josh Allen looks this human it likely will result in a loss. It’s impossible to be Superman every week.

5. Baltimore Ravens (Last week: 6)

Record: 3-2

Lamar Jackson looked like Lamar Jackson but the Jekyll and Hyde’ing of this defense at home vs. on the road is concerning. All hail the King of the North, Derrick Henry.

4. Houston Texans (Last week: 5)

Record: 4-1

Joe Mixon hurry back because C.J. Stroud can’t continue to do it all himself … Or can he?

3. Detroit Lions (Last week: 3)

Record: 3-1 (Bye week)

Jared Goff and the offense are firing on all cylinders but can the defense hold strong for four quarters? Another big test in Week 6 against Dallas.

2. Minnesota Vikings (Last week: 2)

Record: 5-0

Sam Darnold looked bad, the running game was ineffective and yet they still won thanks to that defense. Darnold is regressing to the mean but it’s not proving to be detrimental … yet.

1. Kansas City Chiefs (Last week: 1)

Record: 4-0

I don’t know what sort of voodoo magic they’re performing on Rashee Rice’s knee but it seems they at least will be without him for the foreseeable future. Can Patrick Mahomes and Co. muster up enough offense?

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San Francisco, CA

San Francisco D.A. announces conviction in 2015 quadruple murder

Published

1 hour ago

November 23, 2024

Press Room

San Francisco D.A. announces conviction in 2015 quadruple murder

article

SAN FRANCISCO – Nearly 10 years after a quadruple murder, drive-by shooting shocked the San Francisco Hayes Valley neighborhood, District Attorney Brooke Jenkins on Friday announced the conviction of the San Francisco man responsible.

The D.A.’s office issued a news release that said Lee Farley, 36, was found guilty by a jury on four counts of first-degree murder with special circumstances when he opened fire on an occupied vehicle on the night of January 9, 2015.

According to evidence and testimony, four men were ambushed from behind on Laguna Street just south of Page Steet at around 10 p.m.

The jury found that Farley committed this act as a participant of a criminal street gang and that he was a felon in possession of a firearm.

Police arrested Farley in the summer of 2016. He was already serving time at a federal prison in Atwater on unrelated weapons charges when he was taken into custody.

The slayings of Manuel O’Neal, David Saucier II, Harith Atchan and Yalani Chinyamurindi left the victims’ families in turmoil as they waited for justice.

“I would like to thank the jury for their service in this trial,” said District Attorney Jenkins. “I would also like to thank the mothers and families of the murdered men for their patience, faith and trust in my office to get justice for their families. Our strong legal team fought hard, understanding that while nothing we do can bring back their loved ones, that hopefully this verdict brings them some comfort.”

The D.A. thanked her team and the San Francisco Police Department’s homicide unit for their work on this case.

Farley’s sentencing will be scheduled after a bench trial on priors. That date is set for Dec. 16, 2024.

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San Francisco, CA

San Francisco Giants Seen as Top Trade Partner for Chicago Cubs Superstar

Published

9 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Press Room

San Francisco Giants Seen as Top Trade Partner for Chicago Cubs Superstar

The San Francisco Giants are expected to swing big this offseason as they look to get themselves back into playoff contention.

A pitch to superstar slugger Juan Soto is considered to be that first big swing, although they are not expected to end up landing him.

Assuming the Giants end up missing on Soto, there are plenty of other fallback options that they could consider.

Pete Alonso and Anthony Santander are two other free agents that the Giants have been connected to. However, there is also a potential trade target that has been linked to San Francisco.

Looking at the needs the Giants have, they could use more starting pitching, especially if Blake Snell ends up leaving town in free agency. But San Francisco could also use more offensive firepower. They need a big bat to plug into their lineup.

With that in mind, Chicago Cubs star outfielder and first baseman Cody Bellinger has come up as a potential option.

Zach Pressnell of Newsweek has named the Giants as one of the top potential trade suitors for Bellinger if the Cubs end up trading him. Reports have come out that Chicago would like to trade their star this offseason. With new leadership in San Francisco, after the hiring of Bustery Posey as president of baseball operations, there is a chance the former All-Star catcher would listen on a deal for the slugger.

“San Francisco has to chase the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres in its own division before it can worry about coming home with the World Series title,” Pressnell wrote. “A move for Bellinger would push the Giants in the right direction without breaking the bank.”

Bellinger would certainly be an intriguing option for San Francisco. He’s set to make $27.5 million in 2025 and then will have another choice to make before the 2026 season, as his current deal has another option year. There is a chance that he could opt into another year of his deal at $25 million.

During the 2024 MLB season, Bellinger produced lower numbers than expected. However, he dealt with some injury issues and the Cubs as a whole played under expectations.

He played in 130 total games, hitting 18 home runs to go along with 78 RBI. Bellinger also recorded a slash line of .266/.325/.426.

Just one year previously in 2023, Bellinger had a much stronger season. He hit .307/.356/.525 to go along with 26 home runs and 97 RBI. He was also named the National League Comeback Player of the Year award winner.

All of that being said, the former National League MVP would be an excellent addition for the Giants. Depending on what Chicago is asking for in return, San Francisco should strongly consider making a push to acquire him.

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San Francisco, CA

San Francisco Giants Named Potential Landing Spot for All-Star Slugger

Published

17 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Press Room

San Francisco Giants Named Potential Landing Spot for All-Star Slugger

The San Francisco Giants are heading into free agency hoping to finally make a splash after missing out in recent years.

It was another mediocre season for the Giants in 2024, as they finished just under .500 and hovered around that record for most of the year. Besides a couple of outlier years, San Francisco has struggled for most of the decade.

Now, former catcher Buster Posey has taken over as president of baseball operations, and hopes to change the trajectory of the franchise.

Over the past few winters, the Giants have consistently missed out on the top free agents. The hope is that Posey will bring some credibility to San Francisco and help convince free agents to come.

Heading into the offseason, one of the most glaring needs for the Giants is to improve the offense. Recently, Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report spoke about San Francisco as a good landing spot for Baltimore Orioles slugger, Anthony Santander.

While the Giants play in one of the most pitcher-friendly parks in the league, their lack of power has really held the team back. San Francisco has not had a home run hitter since Barry Bonds, who was the last Giants player to hit 30 home runs for the team — back in 2024.

The Giants have swung and missed on top free agents like Giancarlo Stanton, Bryce Harper, Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani in recent years. An agreement with infielder Carlos Correa went up in smoke after his physical revealed a concerning injury and nixed that deal.

Santander is in the superstar category. But, last year with the Orioles was able to total 44 home runs and 102 RBIs.

That type of offensive production is exactly what San Francisco needs in the middle of the order, as he would pair nice with Matt Chapman and Heliot Ramos in the lineup. Also, he would provide the Giants with a switch hitter to help diversify their lineup.

In the spacious outfield of San Francisco, Santander might be a tad exposed defensively, but he could slide into the designated hitter slot a majority of the time. Santander usually played right field in Baltimore.

While the Giants want to bring in some good talent, they are also trying to build sustainable success for the future.

Adding a player the caliber of Santander would fix one problems in the lineup for San Francisco, but more work would still need to be done.

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