NFL Power Rankings: Why San Francisco 49ers Are on Cruise Control to Postseason

The San Francisco 49ers have the easiest road to the postseason. After a dramatic turnaround, there is nothing left to do but guarantee them a seat at the NFL playoff table. 

What was a dreadful team last season has turned into one of the meanest ground-and-pound squads in the league. Jim Harbaugh may be a tad too tightly wound, but his energy is rubbing off on this team in a great way. 

This team is running the ball with abandon and stopping others from doing the same. You can bank on the fact that more wins are headed their way. 

The rest of the calendar is filled with games against under-serving opponents. That is hardly the biggest reason for their assured playoff spot. 

Once again, the NFC West is good for only one thing, and that's stinking up the joint. The entire division is filled with teams that only hurt themselves and make their games uneasy to watch. 

St. Louis Rams

This is the team that was supposed to rule the West. Instead, a rash of injuries to start the season has given way to horrible results. 

This team has no idea how to score in the red zone. After Steven Jackson, there is hardly a playmaker in the bunch willing to step up for the cause. 

Seattle Seahawks

This team has been just as bad in putting up numbers. The Seahawks can't run with consistency and can't throw the ball with prowess. If it weren't for the Rams, the Seahawks would be getting a lot more derision than they are. 

Arizona Cardinals

Kevin Kolb was supposed to be the answer, and he isn't. The real issue is an awful secondary that is allowing teams to do as they please all over the field. 

With a relatively lax schedule, the Niners should continue to float around the top 10 of the power rankings. Even if they do slide, it won't matter. 

This division is so bad they are allowing the 49ers to cakewalk into the postseason. Enjoy the ride, San Francisco.

Gabe Zaldivar's Week 8 NFL Power Rankings
1. Green Bay Packers
2. New England Patriots
3. New Orleans Saints
4. San Francisco 49ers
5. Pittsburgh Steelers
6. Detroit Lions
7. San Diego Chargers
8. Baltimore Ravens
9. Buffalo Bills
10. Chicago Bears
11. New York Giants
12. Houston Texans
13. New York Jets
14. Atlanta Falcons
15. Oakland Raiders
16. Cincinnati Bengals
17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
18. Dallas Cowboys
19. Tennessee Titans
20. Washington Redskins
21. Kansas City Chiefs
22. Philadelphia Eagles
23. Carolina Panthers
24. Cleveland Browns
25. Jacksonville Jaguars
26. Seattle Seahawks
27. Denver Broncos
28. Minnesota Vikings
29. Arizona Cardinals
30. St. Louis Rams
31. Indianapolis Colts
32. Miami Dolphins