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The San Francisco 49ers return from their bye week and look to build momentum when they face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium. They enter the matchup after a tough 30-24 win over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 8, which evened their record at 4-4.

Despite the win, the 49ers are in third place in the NFC West, behind the Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Rams. With the second half of the season underway, San Francisco aims to climb the standings and secure a playoff spot.

San Francisco’s offense could get a significant boost this week with the potential return of its star running back Christian McCaffrey. The 49ers opened McCaffrey’s practice window on Monday, which could pave the way for his activation on injured reserve after missing time with Achilles tendinitis.

Also wide receiver Juan Jenningswho has been sidelined the past two games with a hip injury, rejoined practice, giving quarterback Brock Purdy with another valuable pass-catching threat.

What does the national media think of the 49ers compared to the rest of the league? Below is a sampling of some of the most prominent power rankings from around the web, showing where San Francisco currently stands in each. As always, the highest rankings are listed first.

The ringer

Current ranking: 7
Previous position: 8
“Last week, it seemed like the 49ers had finally found something sustainable in the passing game by getting back to things that have always worked in their offensive ecosystem. And with Christian McCaffrey’s return on the horizon, San Francisco could put the misery of the first two months after that and get back to competing for the crown in the NFC.” —Diante Lee

The Athletic
Current ranking: 10
Previous ranking: 11
“The 49ers have needed a steady presence this season due to significant injuries to Christian McCaffrey and Brandon Aiyuk and the intermittent availability of Deebo Samuel and Ricky Pearsalland the 31-year-old Kittle has risen to the occasion. Kittle has already matched last year’s total for touchdowns, and another score will give him seven, the second-most in a season of his career. His 71.9 receiving yards per game are the most by a tight end this season, and his most since 2020, and his yards per carry (8.39) are the second most of his career.” – Josh Kendall

Sports Illustrated
Current ranking: 10
Previous position: 9
“We sent the Giants and Panthers to Germany this coming weekend for a really awful international game. In return, the Germans sent us back Christian McCaffrey. Talk about a trade deficit! HEYOOOOOO.” — Conor Orr

Yahoo! Sports
Current ranking: 11
Previous ranking: 11
“Assuming Christian McCaffrey returns this year, the 49ers can feel like their season really starts now. It’s not too late for them to win the NFC West and be the most dangerous team in the conference come January. They need to get some more injury luck.” —Frank Schwab

The 33rd team
Current ranking: 12
Previous ranking: 12
“The San Francisco 49ers were on the bye in Week 9 but lost ground in the NFC West since the Cardinals and Rams won. The good news is that everyone in the division is together, and despite four losses, the 49ers have a great chance to take the lead at the end of the month. Can they get healthy for the postseason.—Marcus Mosher

Bleacher Report

Current ranking: 12
Previous ranking: 11
“Injuries have been the story of the 2024 season for the San Francisco 49ers. Running back Christian McCaffrey has yet to play this season. Top wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has been lost for the season. General manager John Lynch told reporters the team plans to activate to activate McCaffrey’s practice window hoping he might be able to return to action in Week 10.” — Gary Davenport

Pro Football Talk
Current ranking: 12
Previous ranking: 12
“When Christian McCaffrey returns, there’s still time for the 49ers to make a run.” – Mike Florio

Sports news
Current ranking: 12
Previous ranking: 11
“The 49ers need to get much healthier during the bye, with Christian McCaffrey’s potential return against the Buccaneers in Week 10 being the most important. They are capable of grinding through the second half to still contend for the top NFC seed.” — Vinnie Iyer

CBS Sports
Current ranking: 13
Previous ranking: 12
“They end their bye with a long road trip to face the Bucs in Tampa. The time off has to be good for this beaten team.” —Pete Prisco

NFL.com
Current ranking: 13
Previous ranking: 14
“We’re in November, which is traditionally when Kyle Shanahan’s teams make their move. Granted, previous 49ers clubs have been a little more successful overall than this one, which started 3-4, but the expected return of Christian McCaffrey lifts their profile, even as the resurgent Rams and Cardinals give the Niners some serious competition in the NFC West.They can do what they normally do this time of year with incremental improvements on special teams and defense, along with the expected bump with the offense backfield.This stretch will also shadow Brock Purdy, who has been hot and cold for the first half of the season, as he will be eligible to sign a potentially big deal this offseason, I believe his play will warrant. one in a few months. — Eric Edholm

ESPN

Current ranking: 14
Preseason ranking: 12
“Most important game remaining: Week 10 at Buccaneers. The Bucs game is important not only because it’s next on the Niners’ schedule but because of what that game can tell us about where this season is headed. The 49ers have a habit of kicking into gear under coach Kyle Shanahan Since Shanahan took over in 2017, the Niners are 43-18 after their bye week San Francisco expects to have Christian McCaffrey back from Achilles tendinitis How the 49ers fare on a long road trip should provide strong clues on whether another closing surge is on the way or if this team is as mediocre as their first-half record would indicate.” – Nick Wagoner

USA today
Current ranking: 16
Previous ranking: 16
“The next four weeks include road trips to Tampa, Green Bay and Buffalo. Pretty ideal time to get RB Christian McCaffrey back, assuming he can do something most offenses haven’t been able to do – keep up physically.” – Nate Davis

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