NFL power rankings, Week 14: Texans rise, Packers fade
A number of long winning streaks bit the dust. And the first of eight division titles was clinched. Meanwhile, there was a change atop the power rankings.
42. . 2-10. Previous: . San Francisco 49ers. 32. team
Recap: Regardless of the venue, the 49ers have not fared well in recent seasons against the Seahawks. Dating back to the teams’ meeting in the 2013 NFC Championship Game, San Francisco took a nine-game losing streak in the series into Sunday afternoon’s clash with Pete Carroll’s club. Including the postseason, the Niners had also dropped seven straight at Seattle dating back to 2012. And nothing changed this time around as the 49ers’ defense had zero answers for Russell Wilson and the Seattle offense. Robert Saleh’s unit gave up a respectable 331 total yards. But this group also gave up four scores through the air and 168 yards on the ground.
Next Week: The Niners host the Denver Broncos at San Francisco for the first time since 2002 (the teams played in London in 2010). Including the 49ers’ 55-10 win in Super Bowl XXIV, the franchises have split their previous 14 meetings. As for the teams’ last clash, the Niners took it on the chin on a Sunday night at Denver, 42-17, in 2014.
Playoff hopes: It’s a fourth consecutive double-digit loss season for the franchise that was in three consecutive NFC title games from 2011-13. Since then, the 49ers are an astounding 30 games under the .500 mark (23-53) and are on course to finish last in the NFC West for the fourth straight year.
Next: No. 31