Soon enough, it will be too little too late.
While the league’s best continue to separate themselves, some contenders — or so we thought — are watching their 2026 seasons slip away.
Some already are dead in the water, while others soon could be if they can’t go on a run before the trade deadline.
Here is where the 49ers sit heading into their “Monday Night Football” game vs. the Washington Commanders at Levi’s Stadium:
32. Miami Dolphins (Last week: 31)
Record: 0-5
(Bye week)
31. Tennessee Titans (Last week: 32)
Record: 1-5
The first win for Robert Saleh, whose defense led the way with huge takeaways and six sacks. Cam Ward still looked terrible, but a win is a win.
30. Los Angeles Chargers (Last week: 29)
Record: 0-6
Someone’s getting fired this week, right? And it seems like Mike McDaniel will be the fall guy. There likely will be more in the coming weeks, including Jim Harbaugh. Heads are rolling.
29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Last week: 28)
Record: 1-5
Jalon Daniels tried his best. I think. There were a few big moments, but otherwise, another tough watch from the undrafted backup. Come back soon, Baker Mayfield.
28. New York Jets (Last week: 26)
Record: 2-4
Welcome to the NFL, Omar Cooper. A big piece for New York’s future had his breakout game on Sunday.
27. Arizona Cardinals (Last week: 30)
Record: 2-4
The Chad Ryland Game. Arizona’s kicker single-handidly beat the Rams on Sunday with six field goals. That team owes him a nice steak dinner.
26. New Orleans Saints (Last week: 27)
Record: 2-4
A nice bounce-back game for Tyler Shough, whose offense ran the hell out of the ball and back into the win column.
25. Washington Commanders (Last week: 25)
Record: 1-3-1
(Monday Night Football)
24. Indianapolis Colts (Last week: 21)
Record: 2-4
Daniel Jones got paid this offseason, so naturally, it’s time for him to become a turnover-prone, wildly innacurate gun-slinger. History repeats itself.
23. New York Giants (Last week: 23)
Record: 3-2-1
Wow, there’s a lot to unpack here. J.J. McCarthy almost saved the day off the bench. Cam Skattebo never left it. And Jameis Winston might find his new home there.
22. Atlanta Falcons (Last week: 19)
Record: 2-4
I’m no offensive coordinator, but maybe Bijan Robinson should get more than 11 total touches. Just something to think about.
21. Dallas Cowboys (Last week: 20)
Record: 2-4
That was an embarassing offensive display from a unit that should be among the league’s best. Especially when the defense actually wasn’t terrible.
20. Philadelphia Eagles (Last week: 14)
Record: 2-4
This version of the Eagles is just so gross. Tanner McKee could not find himself in a more toxic position. Go easy on him, Philly.
19. Houston Texans (Last week: 22)
Record: 2-4
C.J. Stroud is playing well, and Houston’s offense is starting to hum. The Texans do this just about every season, it’s never wise to count them out after a slow start.
18. Las Vegas Raiders (Last week: 18)
Record: 3-3
Las Vegas lost to both Buffalo and Kansas City by three points each. I know you don’t want to hear about morale victories, but they’re a competitive team, and one of these weeks they’re going to pull off the big upset.
17. Cleveland Browns (Last week: 24)
Record: 4-2
Are the first-place Browns … good? I think, at the very least, they’re OK, but we need to wait and see if Deshaun Watson will pumpkin. The pieces around him, though, are good. On both sides of the ball.
16. Los Angeles Rams (Last week: 10)
Record: 2-4
The preseason Super Bowl favorites are in last place in the division and look downright dreadful and undisciplined through six weeks. Are the alarms going off yet?
15. Carolina Panthers (Last week: 15)
Record: 3-2
Bryce Young, Chuba Hubbard, Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker. The young offensive core is in place, and they are cooking to open the season.
14. Cincinnati Bengals (Last week: 12)
Record: 3-2
(Bye week)
13. Pittsburgh Steelers (Last week: 17)
Record: 4-2
If load management was as prevelant in the NFL as it is in the NBA, Aaron Rodgers would need a couple weeks off after that game. That nearly four-hour slugfest had to be both physically and mentally exhausting.
12. Denver Broncos (Last week: 11)
Record: 4-2
I hate Denver’s offense so much. Bo Nix looks bad, and it’s a really difficult watch every weekend. They continuously are bailed out by the defense time and time and time again, but they still find a way to win games. Whatever.
11. Detroit Lions (Last week: 9)
Record: 3-2
(Bye week)
10. Green Bay Packers (Last week: 16)
Record: 4-2
It seems like Green Bay might get Josh Jacobs back soon? If so, this offense becomes much more of a well-rounded threat. Until then, Jordan Love’s just going to keep airing it out to one of the best receiver tandems. An impressive showing from the defense on Sunday night, too.
9. Seattle Seahawks (Last week: 7)
Record: 3-3
The defense is still great. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is still great. Sam Darnold and the run game? Not so much. This is not a Super Bowl-winning team.
8. Chicago Bears (Last week: 13)
Record: 4-2
A nearly flawless return for Caleb Williams, whose defense wanted to blow it so bad. Not Kyler Gordon, though, who might have played his best NFL game.
7. Baltimore Ravens (Last week: 5)
Record: 4-2
Dud performance from the offense without Lamar Jackson, who should be back next week. Thank you for your service, Tyler Huntley, but I hope you’re not needed for the remainder of the season.
6. Jacksonville Jaguars (Last week: 4)
Record: 4-2
A historically good Jacksonville rush defense broke down on Sunday against a team that historically cannot run the ball. Ironic.
5. New England Patriots (Last week: 8)
Record: 4-2
Another solid game for Drake Maye, who would have won this game a little easier if his playmakers held onto the ball. TreVeyon Henderson might not see the field much this season.
4. Minnesota Vikings (Last week: 6)
Record: 5-0
(Bye week)
3. Buffalo Bills (Last week: 3)
Record: 5-1
We’re just going to ignore that Buffalo is 25th in points allowed this season and surrendering 28.5 points per game. And then, in January, let’s act completely shocked when the Bills are bounced from the playoffs in the first or second round. But hey, another regular-season win!
2. Kansas City Chiefs (Last week: 2)
Record: 5-0
Stout defense and a strong run game led by Kenneth Walker. That was more or less Seattle’s recipe last season. Will it end in a similar way? It seems likely ..
1. San Francisco 49ers (Last week: 1)
Record: 5-0
(Monday Night Football)