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The San Francisco 49ers return from the bye week looking to build on their momentum as they take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium. They enter the game coming off a painful 30-24 win over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 8 that 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 rankings and secure a playoff spot.

San Francisco’s offense may 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 clear the way for him to be activated off injured reserve after missing time with Achilles tendinitis.

Plus, wide receiver John Jenningswho has been sidelined for the past two games with a hip injury, joined practice providing quarterback Brock Purdy with another valuable passing 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 major power rankings on the web, showing where San Francisco currently ranks in each. As always, the highest rankings are listed first.

doorbell

Current ranking: 7
Previous ranking: 8
“Last week it looked like the 49ers finally found something sustainable in the passing game, going back to things that have always worked in their offensive ecosystem. And with the return of Christian McCaffrey on the horizon, San Francisco can give the top two trouble. months back and back to competing for the NFC crown.” — Diante Lee

The Athletic
Current ranking: 10
Previous ranking: 11
“The 49ers needed a consistent presence this season due to significant injuries to Christian McCaffrey and Brandon Aiyuk and the intermittent availability of Deebo Samuel and Ricky Pearsalland Kittle, 31, rose to the occasion. Kittle has already matched last year’s touchdown total and one more 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 the most in 2020, and his yards per target (8.39) are the second-most from his career.” – Josh Kendall

Sports Illustrated
Current ranking: 10
Previous ranking: 9
“We shipped the Giants and Panthers to Germany this coming weekend for a truly horrible international game. Instead, 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 is really starting now. It’s not too late for them to win the NFC West and be the most dangerous team in the conference by January. He has to have more accidents. good luck.” — Frank Schwab

The 33rd team
Current ranking: 12
Previous ranking: 12
“The San Francisco 49ers had a bye in Week 9, but have lost ground in the NFC West since the Cardinals and Rams won. The good news is that everyone in the division is bundled up, and despite four losses, the 49ers have a strong chance to take over by the end of the month. They can be healthy for the postseason. It remains to be seen, but do the 49ers remain one of the most dangerous teams in the league heading into Week 10? —Marcus Mosher

The Bleacher Report

Current ranking: 12
Previous ranking: 11
“Injuries have been the story of the 2024 season for the San Francisco 49ers. Quarterback Christian McCaffrey has yet to play this season. Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has been lost for the season. General manager John Lynch told reporters that the team plans to activate to activate the McCaffrey’s practice in hopes that he could return to action in Week 10.” —Gary Davenport

Pro Football Talk
Current ranking: 12
Previous ranking: 12
“With Christian McCaffrey back, 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 in the offseason, with Christian McCaffrey’s potential return against the Buccaneers in Week 10 being the most important. They are capable of sizzling through the second half to charge for the top seed in the NFC.” — Vinnie Iyer

CBS Sports
Current ranking: 13
Previous ranking: 12
“They have a bye with a long road trip to face the Bucs in Tampa. The time off was supposed to be good for this stuffy 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. True, past 49ers clubs have had a bit more success overall than this one, which started 3-4, but the expected return of Christian McCaffrey raises the bar. their profile, even with the resurgence of the Rams and Cardinals giving the Niners 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 growth with CMC back. offensive backfield. This stretch run will also be big for Brock Purdy, who has been hot and cold in the first half of the season. since he’ll be eligible to sign a potentially massive contract this offseason, I think his play will warrant one in a few months. —Eric Edholm

ESPN

Current ranking: 14
Preseason ranking: 12th
“Most important game left: Week 10 at Buccaneers. The Bucs game is important not only because it’s the Niners’ next schedule, but also because of what that game could tell us about where this season is headed. The 49ers have made a habit of Since firing coach Kyle Shanahan, since Shanahan took over in 2017, the Niners are 43-18 after the bye week, Christian McCaffrey expects to return from Achilles tendonitis how how the 49ers do on a long road trip should provide strong clues as to whether another Finals flourish is on the way or if this team is as average as its first-half record would indicate.” —Nick Waggoner

USA Today
Current ranking: 16
Previous ranking: 16
“The next four weeks include trips to Tampa, Green Bay and Buffalo. Pretty ideal timing to bring back RB Christian McCaffrey, assuming he can do something most of the offense hasn’t been able to do – hold up physically.” — Nate Davis