It’s power rankings time again, and the Seattle Seahawks are slowly climbing up the ladder.

Following five losses in six weeks and a bye week in which few results broke their way in the playoff race, the Seahawks perhaps saved their season with a 20-17 win over the San Francisco 49ers. While both the Seahawks and 49ers have 5-5 records, Seattle’s 5-5 feels a bit different than San Francisco’s, especially considering how grueling the 49ers’ remaining schedule looks.

Based on a roundup of notable NFL outlets and their team power rankings, the Seahawks remain (deservedly so) in that middle pack, with a range between 14th-17th. Hard to disagree unless you think over the course of the season they’ve played at a level worthy of 7-3 or better.

ESPN: No. 16 (last week: No. 19)

Week 11 result: Beat the 49ers 20-17

Week 11 ranking: 19

Preseason hot seat: QB Geno Smith

Current temperature of hot seat: Cold

At the very least, it’s cooling after Smith led another game-winning drive Sunday to end a streak of six consecutive losses to the 49ers. Smith isn’t playing well enough to make it a sure thing he’ll get a new contract this offseason to secure his long-term future in Seattle. But he’s faring about as well as can be expected for a quarterback with a struggling offensive line and poor run game. — Brady Henderson

The Athletic: No. 14 (last week: No. 19)

Sunday: Beat San Francisco 49ers 20-17

Seat temperature check: Cool

Mike Macdonald hasn’t done much to improve Seattle’s defense yet. The Seahawks are 21st in the league in points allowed (23.8 per game), but this team still is playing hard for him. Seattle had lost five of six entering Sunday’s game and came from behind twice on the road against the 49ers. The Seahawks are tied for second in the NFC West and play division leader Arizona twice in the next three weeks.

NFL.com: No. 15 (last week: No. 17)

Who knows if the Seahawks can somehow find a way into the postseason dance? Right now, they’re a real long shot and still need a lot to happen down the stretch (which, for them, features a tough slate of opponents) to get there. Still, Sunday’s win at San Francisco was a true statement of mental and physical toughness — and it dealt a huge blow to the rival 49ers’ chances. Seattle slumped into its Week 10 bye with five losses in six tries, sinking below .500 after a 3-0 start. The team waived leading tackler Tyrel Dodson last week, then Connor Williams shockingly retired prior to Sunday’s game. It seemed as if the ‘Hawks were heading to Levi’s Stadium followed by a dark cloud. But the skies finally cleared as Geno Smith galloped to his dramatic TD run with 12 seconds left, stunning the Niners, and suddenly everything was right again, even if just for a moment. Hope is not yet lost.

Yahoo: No. 17 (Last week: No. 17)

Record: 5-5

There usually is a Geno Smith play or two that decides most Seahawks games. That was the case again this week, but it worked out in their favor. He was able to pull a rabbit out of a hat on Sunday and snap Seattle’s losing streak to San Francisco.

That might have been a season-saving victory against the 49ers. The defense showed big improvement coming off the bye.

Last week’s ranking: No. 19

Last week’s result: beat San Francisco, 20–17

This week: vs. Arizona

So this is why the Seahawks hired Mike Macdonald. Absent the offensive mind that was going to match wits with Shanahan and McVay, the option was there to get the defensive coach who could slow them down. Macdonald hurled a major curveball at Brock Purdy, blitzing him on 40% of his dropbacks after throwing up these numbers in the preceding weeks: 29.5%, 18%, 15% and 20%.

That last 20% was against Purdy in the Seahawks’ first matchup with Shanahan this year. So, half the number of designed blitzes as this week.

Geno Smith finally got a win against the San Francisco 49ers. The question now is whether that’s a statement about the Seahawks’ postseason worthiness or the Niners’ championship window rapidly deteriorating. That may depend on Seattle’s offensive line gelling with Abe Lucas back in the lineup and Olu Oluwatimi taking over at center.

With a pair of games against the Arizona Cardinals coming up, as well as a road trip against the faltering New York Jets, the Seahawks have a chance to grab hold of the NFC West over the next few weeks. At that point, power rankings are secondary to being in the playoff rankings and having a real chance to host a playoff game for the first time since the 2020 season.