:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57290585/usa_today_10363944.0.jpg)
The San Francisco 49ers lost their seventh straight game on Sunday, and the elegant rank appears to have gone off the rails for the time being. After five straight losses by a field goal or less, the 49ers were hammered by the Dallas Cowboys. They now get to head east to face the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 8, and it doesn’t seem like things will get much better anytime soon.
It is no surprise then that the 49ers are near the bottom of NFL power rankings this week. I say “near” because the Cleveland Browns are bringing up the rear in virtually every Week 8 NFL power ranking. One MMQB voter had the 49ers at the bottom, and three had the 49ers at No. 3, but their aggregate vote was 31.
The 49ers travel to Philadelphia this coming weekend, followed by home games against Arizona and the New York Giants before their Week 11 bye. It is possible they secure a win in one of those two home games, but otherwise, they won’t be leaving No. 31 anytime soon.
And with that, here is a look at Week 8 NFL power rankings from around the media.
The saying goes: On any given Sunday, you can win or lose. The 49ers have lost 19 straight games played on Sunday. If they played more on Monday, Thursday or Saturday, they might have a chance at the division. Instead, their chances at the division are literally zero percent.
So much for that run of competitive games. It probably shouldn’t be that surprising the offense struggled in rookie quarterback C.J. Beathard’s first start. He struggled against the Cowboys blitzes, and there were many of them. But it seems Kyle Shanahan is set to stick with him.
It's been a year of self-inflicted wounds for the San Francisco 49ers. This trend continued against the Dallas Cowboys, starting with a muffed punt near the end zone by Trent Taylor early in the first quarter.
C.J. Beathard and the rest of the offense did some positive things, and the rookie quarterback continues to take steps. However, the offensive line let the 49ers down. Beathard took a pair of sack-fumbles, one of which came in the red zone just before the half.
This was the worst performance by the 49ers defense too. Arik Armstead was out and that hurt, and the run defense was atrocious. The pass defense wasn't much better. Once the Cowboys got things rolling, San Francisco never had a chance to turn it around.
Again, Beathard played fine, but I didn't see anything that says he's the quarterback of the future, either. San Francisco is playing for next season and beyond.
Last Week’s Rank: 31
Points in MMQB Power Poll: 29
Highest-Place Vote: 30th (3)
Last-Place Votes: 1 (Mravic)
Last Week’s Result: Loss vs. Dallas, 40-10
Week 8 Opponent: at Philadelphia
A real shame they couldn't muster a far more competitive performance to honor Dwight Clark's appearance at Levi's Stadium.
Coach Kyle Shanahan had managed to keep the Niners mostly competitive during the 0-6 start. That changed with defeat No. 7, Sunday’s lopsided loss to the Cowboys.
All that talk of close losses and competitive games evaporated pretty quickly.
Just when you thought the 49ers were close to getting over the hump, they got blasted by the Cowboys. With a trip to Philadelphia up next, that first one does not appear to be on the horizon.