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NFL power rankings: Breaking down all 32 teams’ standings in Week 14

By Peter Panacy

ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 3: Dion Dawkins #73 of the Buffalo Bills shakes hands with Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots after a game on December 3, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 3: Dion Dawkins #73 of the Buffalo Bills shakes hands with Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots after a game on December 3, 2017 at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 03: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after the 49ers defeated the Chicago Bears 15-14 at Soldier Field on December 3, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 03: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after the 49ers defeated the Chicago Bears 15-14 at Soldier Field on December 3, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

W, 15-14 at Bears. Previous: . San Francisco 49ers. 28. team. 42.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers get a nice little bump in our NFL power rankings this week. And all the difference lies with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

Making his first start since joining the Niners, Garoppolo did have an interception against zero touchdowns thrown. But the pick was actually a stripped reception by Bears cornerback Kyle Fuller out of the hands of 49ers wide receiver Louis Murphy, so it’s hard to fault Garoppolo for that.

Instead, Garoppolo should be praised for effectively moving the 49ers offense, helping this unit go 10-of-18 on third downs and leading the way to five field goals from kicker Robbie Gould.

Get this too — the Niners entered the contest with the lowest average-offensive duration time in the NFL (2:19). That number should improve a bit, as the 49ers completely dominated the time-of-possession battle, 38:47 to 21:13.

Linebacker Reuben Foster continues to be a tackling machine for San Francisco, adding another seven to his abbreviated-but-impressive rookie campaign.