The San Francisco 49ers extended their winning streak to five games on Monday night, defeating the Indianapolis Colts 48-27 on the road. With momentum on their side, the 49ers aim to carry that energy into their final two regular-season games and the playoffs.
San Francisco closes out the season with home matchups against the Chicago Bears and Seattle Seahawks. Two more wins would secure the NFC West title and home-field advantage throughout the postseason, making this stretch crucial for the team's playoff positioning.
The 49ers improved to 11-4, an impressive feat considering the adversity they've faced this season, including key injuries to stars like Fred Warner and Nick Bosa. Despite these challenges, San Francisco remains a strong contender for the NFC's No. 1 seed.
How does the national media view the 49ers compared to the rest of the league? Below is a roundup of the latest NFL power rankings, highlighting where San Francisco currently stands in each. As always, the highest rankings are listed first.
USA Today
Current Ranking: 4
Previous Ranking: 9
"Considering they haven't needed P Thomas Morstead this month, who needs to worry about whatever their defensive issues are? The Niners are two wins from securing the No. 1 seed, which launched them into the Super Bowl in 2019 and 2023." — Nate Davis
The Athletic
Current Ranking: 6
Previous Ranking: 6
"With their offense rolling, the 49ers haven't punted since Nov. 30, a span covering 20 drives. In all seriousness, if there are concerns, it's probably the health issues that have piled up, including an ankle injury for tight end George Kittle on Monday night. But it's hard to ask for much more from this team that has survived — and thrived — through so many injuries." — Josh Kendall and Chad Graff
ESPN
Current Ranking: 6
Previous Ranking: 7
"Rookie of the year: Cornerback Upton Stout. Stout has been the starting nickelback all season. Though he has had some bumps, he has also delivered some big plays in crucial moments, including a late-game pass breakup to set up the winning points in Week 3 and a forced fumble at the goal line to preserve a victory in Week 11. Stout has played the sixth-most snaps of any Niners defender and is among the top three in total tackles (72)." — Nick Wagoner
CBS Sports
Current Ranking: 7
Previous Ranking: 7
"Brock Purdy lit up the Colts. If they play like that, they will be a real threat in the NFC playoffs. They have a chance to be the NFC's top seed. Amazing." — Pete Prisco
FOX Sports
Current Ranking: 7
Previous Ranking: 7
"Brock Purdy has thrown 13 TD passes with just four interceptions since returning from his toe injury. He's 5-0, too, and the Niners look like Super Bowl contenders again." — Ralph Vacchiano
NFL.com
Current Ranking: 7
Previous Ranking: 8
"When this 49ers offense is on, it can be an absolute buzzsaw. They have a punter who hasn't kicked since November! The Colts might be pretty battered defensively, but the 49ers had their way with them all night until Brock Purdy's late pick kept the door open for a minute. Otherwise, Purdy was terrific Monday night with a career-high five TD passes and some absolute beauts. The flip side is that Philip Rivers kind of made mincemeat of their defense, at least until Dee Winters ended it with his pick-six. The Niners made sure not to let Jonathan Taylor get going, but Rivers had open receivers from which to choose. If the Niners can get back to that Panthers game level of performance, I'd like them a bit more. But there's still a decent pathway toward stealing the NFC West and putting themselves in a very favorable spot. If that happens, I'll gladly slide them up." — Eric Edholm
Sporting News
Current Ranking: 7
Previous Ranking: 6
"The 49ers should have loved the fact that the Seahawks took down the Rams on Thursday night. Their offense is red-hot and a win over the Colts gives them control of the division and the NFC top seed in the final two weeks." — Vinnie Iyer
Bleacher Report
Current Ranking: 9
Previous Ranking: 11
"It feels like the 49ers aren't being taken seriously enough. That probably has something to do with the fact that they reside in the same division as the Rams and Seahawks. San Francisco's defense experienced plenty of turnover in the offseason and has suffered some key injuries since. However, Robert Saleh has done an excellent job of coaching up a young but functional bend-but-down-break unit. The 49ers' offense, meanwhile, is efficient and explosive when it's clicking. The fact that San Francisco can claim the NFC's top seed by winning out speaks volumes about how dangerous this team really is." — Kris Knox
Pro Football Talk
Current Ranking: 9
Previous Ranking: 9
"Two more wins to the No. 1 seed." — Mike Florio
Sports Illustrated
Current Ranking: 11
Previous Ranking: 10
"Brock Purdy was the first San Francisco 49ers quarterback to throw five touchdowns in a game since Joe Montana. And punter Thomas Morstead hasn't punted in a game since Nov. 30. The 49ers are going to get the No. 1 seed, aren't they?" — Conor Orr
Yahoo! Sports
Current Ranking: 11
Previous Ranking: 11
"Hey, remember when some wondered if Mac Jones should take the 49ers' starting job from Brock Purdy? Purdy needed a little time to warm up after he missed time due to injury, but he was great Monday night, with five touchdowns. The defense still isn't great, after allowing Philip Rivers to look half his age, but what Kyle Shanahan has done this season is nothing short of incredible." — Frank Schwab
The Ringer
Current Ranking: 12
Previous Ranking: 12
"I've been cold on the 49ers chances this season, mostly because of its weak strength of schedule and awful injury luck on defense. But San Francisco's offense has been on fire for the last month, and quarterback Brock Purdy was in playoff form in Monday night's win over the Colts. The 49ers just might have enough juice to be frisky in the wild-card round, and they can prove they're more than a plucky team in final regular-season games against the Bears and Seahawks." — Diante Lee