San Francisco 49ers Crack the Top 10 in Latest NFL Power Rankings

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INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 02: Mac Jones #10 of the San Francisco 49ers on field during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on October 02, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

ven in the midst of another injury-riddled season, the San Francisco 49ers are finding ways to win. Taking down the Los Angeles Rams in upset fashion, 23-20 on Thursday Night Football, the 49ers shocked the NFL world and proved that they came to compete for a Super Bowl title in 2025. In a season where the franchise was expected to struggle early on, they have defied the odds and started 4-1.

And now, the 49ers are receiving the recognition that a lot of teams in their situation get. Even with the strong start, there was still a lot of doubt surrounding the 49ers and their ability to compete this season. Now, the 49ers are receiving the recognition that they deserve– finally cracking the top 10 in the latest NFL power rankings.

The 49ers Rankings

In NBC Sports’ latest power rankings, the 49ers made the top 10, coming in ranked at No. 7. Ranked below the Chargers and ahead of the Indianapolis Colts, the 49ers are the fourth highest ranked team in the NFC, with the Lions, Eagles, Buccaneers and Packers all ranked higher. But given how young the 49ers are and the expectations surrounding them early in the season, the team has played beyond expectations and is once again being looked at as a major contender in the NFC.

“They stunned the world on Thursday night,” NBC Sports’ Taylor Wirth said. “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.”

The 49ers first three wins were good wins, but the win against the Rams was the ultimate test of grit for the 49ers. Playing on a short week and entering the game with a very, very depleted receiving core– missing Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall— the 49ers were 8.5 point underdogs heading into the Thursday Night Football matchup, only to go home with the thrilling overtime win and take sole possession of first place in the NFC West.

49ers’ New Confidence

The 49ers already had two divisional wins going into the matchup, but beating the Rams was undoubtedly the biggest win of the season so far. The Rams invested a lot into their roster this offseason to return to contender status and came into this season as major NFC West and Super Bowl contenders. Beating the Rams on the road and in overtime will surely give the 49ers even more confidence and momentum as they prepare to face a tough slate of games.

But the win also sets the 49ers up to take the NFC West crown for the fourth time in the Kyle Shanahan era. Winning only one divisional game last season, the 49ers already have three this season and swept their first time through the NFC West. If the 49ers fare well against the NFC West in the second matchups, then another divisional crown could be on its way back to the Bay Area.

Dylan Grausz A lifelong sports fan, Dylan channels his passion for sports into being a journalist, where his primary goal is to provide readers with content that they love to read. A native of the San Francisco Bay Area, Dylan’s love for the Warriors, 49ers and Giants runs deep, having the ultimate dream of being a beat reporter for one of those teams. More about Dylan Grausz