Niner Noise
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NFL power rankings: Close isn’t enough for 49ers entering Week 5

By Peter Panacy

CARSON, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: D.J. Reed #32 of the San Francisco 49ers fumbles the ball during a kick return as he is tackled by Michael Davis #43 of the Los Angeles Chargers during the fourth quarter of the game at StubHub Center on September 30, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: D.J. Reed #32 of the San Francisco 49ers fumbles the ball during a kick return as he is tackled by Michael Davis #43 of the Los Angeles Chargers during the fourth quarter of the game at StubHub Center on September 30, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 30: John Brown #13 of the Baltimore Ravens makes a catch for a 33 yard touchdown in the first quarter during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on September 30, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 30: John Brown #13 of the Baltimore Ravens makes a catch for a 33 yard touchdown in the first quarter during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on September 30, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

W, 26-14 @ Steelers. Previous: . Baltimore Ravens. 13. team. 26.

The Ravens get a nice little boost in our NFL power rankings after getting off to a hot start and eventually knocking off the Steelers on their own turf on Sunday Night Football.

Don’t look now, but these are the kinds of games that pay dividends in winning divisions when the season is over.

Baltimore is now 3-1 and looks to be in serious contention for the AFC North crown. That wasn’t a prediction many likely would have made prior to the year beginning, but it’s becoming reality. Quarterback Joe Flacco is playing some pretty good football, wide receiver John Brown is a home-run threat and that defense, while aging, still looks as effective as it was a year ago at this time.

That defense clamped down in the second half too — never an easy task against an always-dangerous Steelers offense — allowing zero second-half points to Pittsburgh.

The Ravens will get a nice chance to climb to 4-1 next week with a road contest against the Browns, and at least two wins on this three-game road trip between Weeks 3 and 5 would do wonders.