The San Francisco 49ers are clinging to playoff momentum with a 7-4 record, but the NFL landscape is shifting beneath them. After Week 11 games concluded on November 16, 2025, power rankings from NFL Spin Zone, Pro Football Network, and The Palm Beach Post show a league in flux—where one team’s rise is another’s freefall. The Denver Broncos exploded into the top 10 after a stunning upset of the Kansas City Chiefs, while the defending AFC champions are now in freefall. Meanwhile, the Miami Dolphins leapt to 21st after a bizarre, historic win in Madrid—and the bottom of the standings is becoming a graveyard for playoff hopes.
Denver’s Rise and Kansas City’s Fall
The most shocking development? The Denver Broncos beat the Kansas City Chiefs 27-24 in overtime on November 16, 2025, in front of a raucous crowd at Empower Field at Mile High. It wasn’t just the win—it was how they did it. Rookie quarterback Bo Nix threw for 312 yards and two touchdowns, while linebacker Baron Browning intercepted Patrick Mahomes twice. The Chiefs, who entered the game 9-2 and were widely expected to dominate the AFC, looked sluggish, confused, and outcoached. “They didn’t just lose,” said former Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo on ESPN. “They lost their identity.”
That loss dropped Kansas City from 3rd to 14th in the NFL Spin Zone rankings. Meanwhile, the Broncos jumped from 16th to 8th—the biggest single-week climb in the league. Their 8-3 record now puts them in serious contention for a first-round bye. The twist? They’ve won four of their last five games by a combined 12 points. They’re not dominant. They’re dangerous.
Madrid Madness: Dolphins’ Unlikely Surge
Then there’s the Miami Dolphins. On November 16, 2025, they beat the Washington Commanders 24-17 in Madrid, Spain—their first-ever regular-season game in Europe. The game drew over 60,000 fans, many wearing Dolphins gear bought on the street outside the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw for 268 yards and a touchdown, while linebacker Bradley Chubb, back from injury, forced a key fumble in the fourth quarter. The win lifted Miami from 24th to 21st in the rankings.
It’s not just the win. It’s the symbolism. The Dolphins were 3-7 before the game. Now, they’re 4-7—and still mathematically alive for a wild card spot. “They’re not a great team,” said Pro Football Network analyst Marcus Jones. “But they’re playing with something. A grit. A belief. That matters more than stats at this point.”
The Freefallers: Lions, Chiefs, and Jets
The Detroit Lions are unraveling. After a 34-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on November 16, they dropped from 9th to 18th. Their offense, once the league’s most explosive, now ranks 28th in third-down conversion rate. Quarterback Jared Goff has thrown five interceptions in his last three games. “It’s not the system,” said former Lions coach Jim Caldwell. “It’s the mindset. They’re waiting for someone else to make a play.”
The New York Jets are worse. After trading away their best players at the deadline and placing All-Pro wide receiver Garrett Wilson on injured reserve, they’re now 2-9 and ranked 31st. Their offense has scored 17 total points in their last three games. The team’s front office is openly talking about tanking for the 2026 draft. “We’re not rebuilding,” said general manager Joe Douglas in a rare press conference. “We’re resetting.”
The Bottom of the Barrel
The bottom five teams in the Pro Football Network rankings tell a grim story:
- Tennessee Titans (32nd): 2-9. Losing to the Houston Texans in Week 11 confirmed their status as the league’s worst team—and likely the #1 overall pick in 2026.
- Cincinnati Bengals (31st): 3-8. Joe Burrow’s torn ACL in Week 5 has left them without a quarterback who can move the chains.
- New Orleans Saints (30th): 3-8. After trading away their 2025 first-round pick for veteran quarterback Jameis Winston, they’re now 0-5 in games decided by less than 10 points.
- Las Vegas Raiders (29th): 3-8. Their offensive line is a sieve. They’ve allowed 42 sacks in 11 games—the most in the league.
- New York Jets (31st): Already mentioned. But worth repeating: they’re not just bad. They’re a cautionary tale.
What’s Next for the 49ers?
The San Francisco 49ers are in a sweet spot. 7-4. In the NFC West hunt. Still have home-field advantage in their sights. But their schedule gets brutal: next week against the Los Angeles Rams in a rematch of their Week 11 thriller, then a road trip to face the Green Bay Packers in Lambeau Field. Their defense, led by Fred Warner and Nick Bosa, is still elite. But their offense—especially the run game—has been inconsistent. Christian McCaffrey has been hampered by a nagging ankle injury. If he’s not 100% by Week 14, their playoff chances could slip.
And here’s the real question: Are they a true Super Bowl contender, or just a team lucky to be alive? The 49ers have won two games this season by three points or fewer. They’ve lost two games they should’ve won. They’re not dominant. But they’re still here.
The Bigger Picture
This season is the NFL’s 106th, and it’s shaping up to be one of its most unpredictable. International games in Madrid and Munich are no longer gimmicks—they’re part of the fabric. The league’s global expansion is working, even if it means a team like the Dolphins wins in Spain and still barely cracks the top 20.
The 49ers are still in the race. But the league around them? It’s a war of attrition. The Chiefs are vulnerable. The Broncos are bold. The Dolphins are resilient. And the Titans? They’re just trying to survive.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did the Miami Dolphins end up playing in Madrid?
The NFL has been expanding its international schedule since 2007, and the 2025 season features two games in Europe: one in London and one in Madrid. The Dolphins were selected as the visiting team after their 2024 schedule included a home game against the Commanders, making them the logical choice for a neutral-site matchup. The game was part of the league’s push to grow its global fanbase, particularly in Spain, where NFL viewership grew 47% last year.
Why are the Kansas City Chiefs falling so fast?
The Chiefs’ collapse stems from a combination of offensive line injuries, declining pass protection, and Patrick Mahomes’ reduced mobility due to a lingering knee issue. Their offensive coordinator, Mike Kafka, has been criticized for overly complex play-calling. Since Week 7, they’ve averaged just 18.3 points per game—down from 31.2 in the first half of the season. Their defense, once elite, has allowed 27+ points in four of their last five games.
Is the San Francisco 49ers’ 7-4 record good enough for the playoffs?
At this stage, yes—but barely. The NFC currently has six teams with winning records, and only the top seven make the playoffs. The 49ers are currently 7th in the conference. They need to win at least two of their final six games to guarantee a spot. A 9-8 record could still be enough, especially if the Commanders or Eagles falter. But they can’t afford another loss to a team with a losing record.
What does the Tennessee Titans’ 2-9 record mean for the 2026 draft?
With the worst record in the league, the Titans hold the best odds (25%) to win the #1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. They’re likely to select a franchise quarterback—possibly Caleb Williams or Jayden Daniels—depending on who declares. Their front office has already begun evaluating prospects and is reportedly in talks with the Chicago Bears about trading draft capital for future picks.
How are power rankings calculated?
Power rankings combine win-loss records, strength of schedule, margin of victory, and the “eye test”—how teams look on film. Sources like NFL Spin Zone and Pro Football Network also factor in injuries, coaching adjustments, and momentum. ESPN’s FPI uses predictive algorithms, but most rankings are subjective blends of data and expert opinion.
When will the 49ers next play at home?
The San Francisco 49ers return to Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on November 30, 2025, to face the Arizona Cardinals. That’s their final home game before the season finale against the Los Angeles Rams on January 4, 2026.