49ers news: ESPN bumps Niners up in Week 17 NFL power rankings

No longer content with just being in the top five, the 49ers are continuing to climb in NFL power rankings, including ESPN’s for Week 17.

Perhaps the San Francisco 49ers should be considered the most dangerous and potent team in the conference right now.

Some could argue the same across the entire NFL.

OK, so head coach Kyle Shanahan’s squad is still looking up in the standings and NFC playoff picture at the No. 1-seeded Philadelphia Eagles and the two-seeded Minnesota Vikings, while the Niners are still the No. 3 seed for the postseason despite pulling off an impressive 37-20 victory over the Washington Commanders and their own tough defense last Saturday.

Now at 11-4 and trailing Minnesota by one game, San Francisco will have two more shots to try and secure at least the No. 2 seed and better positioning in the playoffs.

However, if the 49ers have been unable to climb in conference seeding, they’re at least climbing in NFL power rankings.

That has to be a victory, right?

NFL power rankings: ESPN boosts red-hot 49ers up even higher

It’s becoming harder and harder to deny the Niners a spot in the top five of NFL power rankings now.

Following an eight-game win streak that has included some pretty notable victories as of late, including beating two teams desperate to lock up a playoff berth in the Commanders and Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco is riding that hot stretch and will hope it continues heading into Week 17’s contest on New Years Day against the Las Vegas Raiders.

For now, though, taking some solace in knowing ESPN is moving the 49ers up from the No. 5 spot in their NFL power rankings to No. 4 heading into the new week is refreshing.

Currently, ESPN’s top-five teams in Week 17 NFL power rankings are as follows:

1. Kansas City Chiefs (+2)
2. Philadelphia Eagles (-1)
3. Buffalo Bills (-1)
4. San Francisco 49ers (+1)
5. Dallas Cowboys (+1)

Some fans may not be sold on Philly despite owning the NFL’s best record. And if that’s the case, pretty much by default, the Niners are the best team in the conference, right?

Perhaps, although that designation will be tested by a Raiders squad that’s looking to play the role of spoiler and wouldn’t mind doing just that to their old Bay Area rivals this upcoming weekend.