NFL Power Rankings Week 17: Saints top seed, Ravens control destiny

NFL Power Rankings, Week 17: Saints clinch top seed, Ravens take over AFC North

By Dan Parzych | Dec 24, 2018

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - DECEMBER 23: Alvin Kamara #41 of the New Orleans Saints scores a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 23, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Robert Reiners/Getty Images) /

29. San Francisco 49ers (27)

After pulling off two impressive wins in a row over the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks, all eyes were on the San Francisco 49ers to see if they could continue the momentum against the Chicago Bears. On paper, there was every reason to believe the Bears would have little trouble getting by in this one, but the 49ers actually made things interesting in this one.

Unfortunately for San Francisco, Kyle Shanahan and company learned the hard way just how great of a defense Chicago has when seeing how they limited the 49ers to scoring just nine points, all of which happened to come in the second quarter. Pulling off an upset over the Bears would have been quite the accomplishment for this team, but at least the 49ers managed to give the NFC North champions a scare.

One can only imagine the potential surrounding San Francisco next season once Jimmy Garoppolo gets fully healthy since this offense seems to have plenty of surprise talent like George Kittle and Dante Pettis to work with. Coming up short of the hype this year was obviously frustrating for numerous reasons, but at least once the 49ers see Garoppolo get healthy, things should be much better in 2019.

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