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:
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 after Fred Warner's season-ending injury went swimmingly, with San Francisco holding the Falcons in check nearly all night in an inspired showing."
Nick Wagoner, ESPN NFL Nation
Unsung nonstarter/role player: WR Kendrick 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 quarterback Mac Jones and someone the Niners can count on besides running back Christian 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 wideouts Ricky Pearsall (knee) and Brandon Aiyuk (knee) to return at some point, Bourne has earned the opportunity to keep getting snaps."
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 stars Nick Bosa and Fred Warner, who are gone for the year."
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 of Christian McCaffrey on Sunday night against the Falcons."
Frank Schwab, Senior Reporter
"Robert Saleh is a masterful defensive coach. The 49ers were without Nick Bosa and 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."
View postgame photos following the San Francisco 49ers Week 7 matchup vs. the Atlanta Falcons.

LB Curtis Robinson

K Eddy Piñeiro

RB Christian McCaffrey, Atlanta Falcons RB Bijan Robinson

TE George Kittle

Atlanta Falcons QB Kirk Cousins, FB Kyle Juszczyk

LB Tatum Bethune

TE George Kittle, Atlanta Falcons QB Kirk Cousins

RB Isaac Guerendo

DB Siran Neal

Defensive Coordinator Robert Saleh, LB Dee Winters, S Ji'Ayir Brown

T Trent Williams

Sourdough Sam, DL Alfred Collins

TE George Kittle

RB Christian McCaffrey, T Trent Williams, LB Tatum Bethune

S Malik Mustapha

QB Mac Jones, Sourdough Sam

TE George Kittle

S Malik Mustapha

CB Chase Lucas