NFL Power Rankings: At Least the 49ers Aren't Last in Week 8

The San Francisco 49ers haven’t won a game since Week 1, and their latest debacle against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 7 won’t help matters in this week’s NFL power rankings breakdown.

Hey, at least the San Francisco 49ers aren’t dead last in most analysts’ takes heading into Week 8.

But the Niners might as well be.

San Francisco is coming off a 34-17 embarrassment at the hands of the now 3-3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. And, you guessed it, the Niners defense was gashed for 249 rushing yards and a whopping 513 yards total.

Head coach Chip Kelly has zero answers right now, and it’s becoming clear simply replacing quarterback Blaine Gabbert with Colin Kaepernick didn’t do much of anything to spark the team’s offense.

So, not surprisingly, San Francisco still sits towards the bottom of NFL power rankings from around the league heading into Week 8.

At least San Francisco won’t lose this upcoming weekend. Thank you, bye weeks.

Let’s see what those analysts had to say about the Niners’ efforts.

Elliot Harrison, NFL.com: 30 (even)

Ever since NaVorro Bowmanwent down in Week 4, the 49ers literally can’t stop anyone on the ground. You saw it happen as soon as he left the field against the Cowboys, when the Dallas offensive line took over late. San Francisco gave up 249 rushing yards to the Bucs on Sunday.The week before, the Niners allowed 313 to the Bills. And then there were the 172 rushing yards the Cardinals put on the Niners in Week 5. Talk about Colin Kaepernick all you want. It doesn’t matter.

Oct 23, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) after losing his helmet on a play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN Stats & Information: 31 (even)

Forget the 49ers’ quarterback situation for now. In seven games, the 49ers have allowed 1,296 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns. Only three running backs have hit those marks for an entire season since 2013, and the 49ers have yielded it in seven games. Guess what they’ll be working on during their bye?

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: 31 (even)

The move to Colin Kaepernick hasn’t changed much. They still aren’t a good team.

Cameron DaSilva, Fox Sports: 31 (even)

The 49ers have just one win this season and it came in the season opener against the Rams. Colin Kaepernick hasn’t done anything for the offense and the defense is still getting gashed regularly – even by Jacquizz Rodgers. This team needs an overhaul in the offseason, whether Chip Kelly’s there for it or not.

USA Today Sports: 31 (even)

Chip Kelly claimed Monday that Niners have no interest in trading LT Joe Staley. We assume that somewhere Staley was quietly weeping.

Oct 16, 2016; Orchard Park, NY, USA; San Francisco 49ers head coach Chip Kelly watches play during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field. Buffalo beat San Francisco 45-16. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Chris Simms, Bleacher Report: 32 (even)

Admit it: You had never heard of Peyton Barber before Sunday.

Name recognition comes easy when you’re playing the 49ers, though. It’s no league secret Jim O’Neil coordinates the softest run defense in football. Jacquizz Rodgers came off his couch earlier this season and ran for 154 yards Sunday. Even an undrafted rookie such as Barber (84 yards on 12 carries) can cut right through it.

Speaking of running…that’s all Colin Kaepernick can do. He’s exactly what I thought he’d be: a way more athletic Blaine Gabbert, right down to the elongated throwing motion. That’s only one drawback of San Francisco’s limited pass offense.

Bleacher Report’s Chris Simms had the 49ers in the basement. So hey, at least the rest of the panel isn’t viewing the Niners as the worst team in the league, right?

They might as well be though.