Don't count out the San Francisco 49ers just yet. The team's Week 12 win over the Los Angeles Rams and an Arizona Cardinals loss has kept its playoff hopes alive. Right now, Kyle Shanahan's squad sits in the No. 10 spot within the playoff standings, within striking distance of the teams above it.
The 49ers got several players back from injuries this past weekend. Cornerback Richard Sherman gave the defense a boost while wide receiver Deebo Samuel and running back Raheem Mostert did the same for the offense.
San Francisco received another boost for its upcoming matchup against the Buffalo Bills. On Wednesday, wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, defensive tackle D.J. Jones, and defensive end Jordan Willis were activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list.
The team is in Arizona, where it will remain for at least the next few weeks. That is due to increased COVID-19 numbers resulting in stricter Santa Clara County restrictions, including a ban on contact sports.
The Niners will host the Bills at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Monday night.
How did the win over the once-division-leading Rams impact the national view of the 49ers? It provided a slight boost within most power rankings and a more significant boost with one. Most acknowledge that the team remains in the playoff hunt, but its chances remain slim.
Below is a sample of some of the more prominent power rankings around the web and where San Francisco currently stands within each.
USA Today
Current Ranking: 14
Previous rank: 16
"Apparently you can find precious metals in the desert, so it naturally makes sense to move 49ers to Arizona for a few weeks as they try to prove this campaign isn't fool's gold." — Nate Davis
ESPN
Current Ranking: 16
Previous rank: 17
"Most important game remaining: Week 13 vs. Buffalo. It's not so much about the Bills as the fact that the most important game for the Niners right now is always going to be the next one. An upset against the Rams pushed the 49ers back into the NFC playoff picture, but they don't have much margin for error if they intend to sneak into the postseason. That means the next game is going to be the one that holds the most meaning simply because another loss will make that task exceedingly difficult." — Nick Wagoner
Sports Illustrated
Current Ranking: 17
Previous rank: 19
"The 49ers have been exiled from their home, which puts them on the shortlist of teams that have had the strangest, most authentic 2020s. They have also put up with an absurd amount of injuries, as we all know, which is a shame because Sunday was a great reminder of how good this team can be. A Niners win and a Bucs loss kept the dream alive for all four NFC West teams to reach the playoffs together, but don't bet on it." — Mitch Goldich
Current Ranking: 19
Previous rank: 27
"Winning at Los Angeles against the Rams speaks volumes about this team. They have fought through a lot of injuries and COVID losses, but they are still alive." — Pete Prisco
NFL.com
Current Ranking: 19
Previous rank: 21
"The 49ers have been absolutely decimated by injuries this season, which makes their 5-6 record after Sunday's 23-20 win over the Rams all the more impressive. San Francisco won because its ball-hawking defense forced four turnovers, including a pick-six via rookie Javon Kinlaw. The offense was carried by Deebo Samuel, who just looks different than other players when the ball is in his hands. His 24-yard reception on third-and-2 sustained the game-winning field-goal drive. Samuel showed no ill-effects from the hamstring injury that cost him the previous three games, notching a career-high 11 catches and a season-high 133 receiving yards. The Niners swept the Rams in back-to-back years for the first time since 2008-09." — Dan Hanzus
Bleacher Report
Current Ranking: 20
Previous rank: 21
"Mostert led the Niners with 16 carries and found the end zone. Samuel caught 11 passes for 130 receiving yards. And after downing the Rams, the 49ers find themselves only one game below .500 and one back of the Arizona Cardinals for the seventh playoff spot in the NFC. However, as the 49ers try to make a late push for the playoffs, they will have to overcome even more adversity. Thanks to Santa Clara County's new COVID-19 restrictions, the Niners can't practice or play at Levi's Stadium for at least three weeks." — NFL Staff
