The once-undefeated San Francisco 49ers enjoyed one week atop the various national NFL power rankings. And as quickly as it was given, it has been taken away.
The 49ers were the NFL's last unbeaten team heading into their Week 10 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. They suffered a disappointing 27-24 loss in the closing seconds of overtime and the defeat has cost San Francisco its perfect season and its spot as the league's No. 1 team — at least, as far as public perception goes.
The 49ers fall to 8-1 but still sit atop the NFC playoff picture. Right behind them, though, are the Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints, who are just waiting for another stumble by the Bay Area team. San Francisco will face both opponents in the coming weeks.
So which team does the media feel is the best in the NFL? The opinions are now mixed. The honor goes back to New England Patriots in a couple of rankings, the Baltimore Ravens in two, and the 49ers even retained their No. 1 spot in another.
The 49ers' next game will be on Sunday, November 17, against the Arizona Cardinals.
Below is a sample of some of the more prominent power rankings around the web and where San Francisco currently stands within each.
CBS Sports
Current Ranking: 3
Previous rank: 1
"They didn't play well on offense against the Seahawks, but it's just one game. They still lead the division and the NFC." — Pete Prisco
ESPN
Current Ranking: 2
Previous rank: 1
"The 49ers have put themselves in position not only to win the NFC West but also to nail down home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Niners also have a big one against Green Bay two weeks before this, but that one is at Levi's Stadium. The Saints game will go a long way in determining the Niners' playoff position and offer an idea of how they stack up against another top team in the conference." — Nick Wagoner
NFL.com
Current Ranking: 1
Previous rank: 1
"The worst thing about being on the wrong end of a Monday night classic? You know it will be resurfaced repeatedly on telecasts until the end of time. The Niners lost their first game of the season in crushing fashion: at home, in prime time, to a division rival, in the last second of overtime. If poor Chase McLaughlin makes his final kick, the 49ers are 9-0 and we're all talking about their bottomless well of resolve. [...] The 49ers still feel like the best team in the NFL through 10 weeks, but the Seahawks showed us the gap is minimal." — Dan Hanzus
Sports Illustrated
Current Ranking: 3
Previous rank: 1
"The 49ers needed to be the only undefeated team left in the NFL to take over that top spot in the power rankings. Now that they have one in the L column, courtesy of the Seahawks on Monday Night Football, down they go in the rankings." — The MMQB Staff
USA Today
Current Ranking: 3
Previous rank: 2
"Gut-wrenching way to suffer season's first defeat, but don't forget San Francisco didn't get help from injured George Kittle or Emmanuel Sanders." — Nate Davis