Briana Jeannel
The San Francisco 49ers continued their strong start to the season with a hard-fought win over the Atlanta Falcons, improving to 5-2 and holding their place atop the NFC West standings. Even with several key players sidelined, the 49ers once again showed its ability to adapt and find ways to win.
With national outlets weighing in on the team's performance, let's take a look at where the 49ers landed in the latest power rankings.
Week 8 Power Rankings:
NFL Network: 12
Eric Edholm, Lead Draft Writer
"The Niners are 5-2, but with a barely positive point differential (plus-7) and a slew of injured players, so I don't truly know how they're doing it, other than to say that the coaching has been excellent and the depth options have stepped up tremendously well. The first defensive test afterFred Warner's season-ending injury went swimmingly, with San Francisco holding the Falcons in check nearly all night in an inspired showing."
ESPN: 10
Nick Wagoner, ESPN NFL Nation
Unsung nonstarter/role player: WRKendrick Bourne
"Bourne didn't even join the 49ers until Week 2, but with injuries ravaging the receiver room, he has been a crucial target for quarterbackMac Jonesand someone the Niners can count on besides running backChristian McCaffrey. Through six games, Bourne has 25 receptions for 385 yards, making him the most productive non-McCaffrey pass catcher on the roster. Though the team is expecting wideoutsRicky Pearsall(knee) andBrandon Aiyuk(knee) to return at some point, Bourne has earned the opportunity to keep getting snaps."
CBS Sports: 12
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports Senior Writer
"They are 5-2 and tied for the division lead. The defense came up big against the Falcons without starsNick BosaandFred Warner, who are gone for the year."
FOX Sports: 7
Ralph Vacchiano, NFL Reporter
"The best defense in the league can carry the 49ers a long way if their offense can keep up. At least San Francisco rediscovered the magic ofChristian McCaffreyon Sunday night against the Falcons."
Yahoo! Sports: 12
Frank Schwab, Senior Reporter
"Robert Saleh is a masterful defensive coach. The 49ers were withoutNick Bosaand Fred Warner on Sunday night and shut down the Falcons. There still are questions about the defense's long-term viability without those two stars, but Saleh will get the most out of what he has."
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