Top billing: 49ers prove they’re No. 1

Week 13 saw the 49ers throttle the Eagles, and make a case for being the best team in the NFC, and perhaps the NFL at large.

The 49ers made it four straight wins after blowing out the Eagles. In the process, they closed the gap with the NFC’s top team.

Meanwhile, the Packers upset the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs at Lambeau Field while the Texans took down the Broncos, one of the hottest teams in the league.

The other big news of the week saw another star QB go down, with the Jaguars losing Trevor Lawrence to an ankle injury during Monday night’s OT loss to the Bengals. Initial tests revealed a sprain, so that doesn’t look good.

At the bottom end of the rankings, both the Patriots and Panthers have lost five straight.

Here are the power rankings heading into Week 14:

1. 49ers (9-3): Are they the NFL’s best team? After what they did to the Eagles on Sunday, hard to say they’re not.

2. Eagles (10-2): After beating the Cowboys, Chiefs and Bills, in order, the Eagles had nothing left vs. the 49ers.

3. Ravens (9-3): They couldn’t have had a better week off. The Browns and Steelers lost, giving them more cushion in the AFC North. The Chiefs also losing helped in the Ravens’ quest for the AFC’s top seed.

4. Chiefs (8-4): Andy Reid described his team as being “up and down” with the need to be more consistent in the wake of Sunday night’s loss. No argument here.

5. Cowboys (9-3): The Cowboys have won 14 straight at home, and remain within shouting distance of the Eagles with the defending NFC champs coming to town.

6. Dolphins (9-3): Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill toyed with the Commanders secondary.

7. Lions (9-3): Again, the Lions fell asleep at the wheel after taking a big lead. They woke up in time to finish the job.

8. Jaguars (8-4): They lost the game, lost their death grip on the AFC South and lost their franchise QB in the process. Bad news all around for the Jags.

9. Texans (7-5): If DeMeco Ryans’ defense continues to ascend, no one is going to want to play C.J. Stroud & Co., in the wild-card round.

10. Bills (6-6): They’re still on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoffs. But a couple of teams above them lost, so it wasn’t the worst week off for the Bills.

11. Packers (6-6): Jordan Love put up more points (27) on the Chiefs defense than any quarterback this season. Love, and the Pack are on a roll.

12. Rams (6-6): Three straight wins for the Rams, who have climbed back into playoff contention.

13. Colts (7-5): They couldn’t run the ball to save their lives against the Titans. But they still managed to win and stay in the playoff hunt.

14. Broncos (6-6): Win by the turnover. Die by the turnover. Russell Wilson’s three picks did the Broncos no favors against the Texans.

15. Steelers (7-5): That 400-yard offensive outburst last week? Let’s just say they came back to earth in the loss to the Cardinals. And now Mitch Trubisky takes over for the injured Kenny Pickett.

16. Browns (7-5): Joe Flacco was pretty good for someone who was signed two weeks ago and hadn’t played all year. But his fourth-quarter interception was an absolute killer.

17. Bengals (6-6): Jake Browning looked like a stud against the Jaguars.

18. Vikings (6-6): With Joshua Dobbs turning into a pumpkin, Kevin O’Connell might call on Jaren Hall, and hope the rookie QB can keep the Vikings playoff-bound.

19. Seahawks (6-6): They were 36-0 when scoring 35 points or more. Make that 36-1 after Thursday night’s 41-35 loss to the Cowboys.

20. Falcons (6-6): They’ll take an ugly win any day of the week, and that’s exactly what they got against the Jets.

21. Chargers (5-7): Brandon Staley avoided getting the boot by beating the Patriots, but he’s still on life support.

22. Buccaneers (5-7): A date with the Panthers was just what the doctor ordered as the Bucs crept a little closer to the top of the less-than inspiring NFC South.

23. Raiders (5-7): Has Antonio Pierce done enough to lose the interim tag? Doubt it.

24. Saints (5-7): Derek Carr is getting booed by Saints fans for uninspiring play. Add in the fact he’s been unable to stay on the field, and there’s unrest at the QB position.

25. Bears (4-8): They’re still sitting pretty with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft courtesy of the Panthers.

26. Jets (4-8): Stick a fork in Aaron Rodgers’ comeback bid this season. While the Jets aren’t mathematically eliminated from the postseason, they’re close enough.

27. Titans (4-8): They lost in OT, and lost four players to injury, including Derrick Henry.

28. Giants (4-8): The big question was who will start at QB in Week 14? Coach Brian Daboll answered that Tuesday, saying New Jersey native Tommy DeVito has “earned it.”

29. Cardinals (3-10): They upset the Steelers, and now have a week off to enjoy the victory.

30. Commanders (4-9): Sam Howell has thrown a pick six in three consecutive games.

31. Patriots (2-10): Look at the bright side. The Pats moved up to the No. 2 spot in the draft order.

32. Panthers (1-11): The Panthers got a bit of spark from Frank Reich being fired last week, but still found themselves on the losing end.