The San Francisco 49ers didn't play this past weekend but look to kick off the season's final six games with a win over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. The team is also hoping to emerge from its bye week healthier, getting several key players back.
"If we can use this bye week to help us get healthier," head coach Kyle Shanahan said last week, "we can come back and play a little bit better football from it because I do feel we've got the guys in our building, and some guys coming back. That does give us a chance in every game."
Shanahan hopes to get cornerback Richard Sherman, wide receiver Deebo Samuel, and running backs Raheem Mostert and Tevin Colman back this week. Of course, some of that hope is offset by the uncertainty surrounding several others. Nine players sit on the reserve/COVID-19 list, including left tackle Trent Williams, who reportedly tested positive for the virus.
San Francisco appears to be facing an uphill battle moving forward. While the division crown appears out of realistic reach, the team still has a shot at a wildcard spot. However, the 49ers have to start stacking wins to keep their postseason hopes alive.
Below is a sample of some of the more prominent power rankings around the web and where San Francisco currently stands within each. It includes a surprising jump in USA Today's ranking, which seems to be due to the expectation that several injured players might be returning this week.
USA Today
Current Ranking: 16
Previous rank: 22
"Needed reinforcements could be on way coming out of bye week – Raheem Mostert, Tevin Coleman and Deebo Samuel all on cusp of rejoining stagnant offense." — Nate Davis
ESPN
Current Ranking: 17
Previous rank: 17
"What they're thankful for: LB Fred Warner. Since good health certainly isn't on the list of things the Niners can be thankful for this season, their appreciation for the continued ascent to stardom of their middle linebacker undoubtedly is. While much of their star power has been lost to injury, Warner has been the one constant in the middle of the defense, offering durability, productivity and leadership in large doses. Warner is finally getting the recognition he deserves as one of the league's best linebackers and is in line for a massive contract extension, perhaps as soon as the coming offseason." — Nick Wagoner
Sports Illustrated
Current Ranking: 19
Previous rank: 18
"It was incredible this team got to 4–3 considering the injury issues, but after three consecutive double-digit losses the dream is dead." — Gary Gramling
Bleacher Report
Current Ranking: 21
Previous rank: 19
"If you asked the San Francisco 49ers what they are thankful for in 2020, you would most likely get all kinds of stink-eye, followed by grumbles that they will be thankful when this godforsaken season is over. To say the 49ers have fallen victim to a Super Bowl hangover is both a massive understatement and not entirely accurate. The Niners admittedly haven't played at nearly the same level as a year ago—but that's largely because the team has been beset by injury after injury after injury after injury after please God make it stop." — NFL Staff
NFL.com
Current Ranking: 21
Previous rank: 21
"Jimmy G is still nursing a high-ankle sprain that has sidelined him for the 49ers' last two games, and it's unclear if he's already played his last down this season. Shanahan expects to see his QB again, and you wonder if a return in December would turn into something of an audition for the quarterback who very nearly won a Super Bowl in February. Change happens fast in the NFL." — Dan Hanzus
CBS Sports
Current Ranking: 27
Previous rank: 28
"They come off their bye needing to win five of six to likely have a playoff shot. It starts with a tough road game against the Rams." — Pete Prisco