SANTA CLARA – The NFL playoffs begin subsequent weekend, however, first, the 49ers have some regular-season enterprise to complete.
The NFC West champs host the Arizona Cardinals and search to increase their win streak to 10 in a row. Then they’ll let the NFC seeds fall the place they might.
“I’m certain Kyle (Shanahan) may have that in thoughts greater than anyone,” Nick Bosa mentioned of the 49ers’ coach’s technique. “We’re clearly hoping for the proper situation, however as you noticed final week, there aren't any straightforward opponents on this league. We have now to win this sport.”
The 49ers received 37-34 in additional time in final Sunday’s first go to to the Las Vegas Raiders. Listed here are how Sunday’s situations might unfold for the 49ers’ third playoff berth in 4 seasons:
— No. 1 seed: The 49ers (12-4) can transfer as much as this spot like their 2019 Tremendous Bowl group, by advantage of profitable at Levi’s Stadium, whereas the Philadelphia Eagles (13-3) lose a 3rd straight at their residence in opposition to the No. 6-seed New York Giants (9-6-1). Each video games kick off at 1:25 p.m.
— No. 2 seed: That is the 49ers’ present locale, so a win assures them of at the very least this spot and, thus, internet hosting a divisional-round sport in the event that they make it out of subsequent weekend’s wild-card spherical, additionally at residence. The 49ers maintain a tiebreaker benefit over the Minnesota Vikings (12-4) based mostly on NFC play (the 49ers are 9-2; the Vikings 7-4). The Vikings go to the Chicago Bears (3-13) at 10 a.m., in order that end result ought to be identified by the 49ers’ sport. A Vikings’ loss additionally retains the 49ers at No. 2.
— No. 3 seed: If the Cardinals (4-12) snap a six-game shedding streak to upset the 49ers, and if the Vikings defeat the Justin Fields-less Bears, then the No. 3 seed is the 49ers’.
Yep, it’s as straightforward as 1-2-3. Three different berths are locked up by the NFC South-winning and No. 4-seed Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8), the Dallas Cowboys (12-4) and the Giants. The Cowboys might nonetheless win the NFC East if the Eagles falter, and even the No. 1 seed if the 49ers and the Vikings additionally lose. The NFC’s last spot is up for grabs between 8-8 squads: the Seattle Seahawks, the Inexperienced Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions.
Subsequent weekend might function the No. 2-seed 49ers internet hosting the No. 7-seed Packers, in a rematch of final 12 months’s divisional-round comeback by the 49ers at Lambeau Subject. “I haven’t even thought that far forward,” linebacker Fred Warner mentioned. “The considered that's enjoyable, intriguing. We’ll see.”
Here's what the 49ers must see Sunday to win their tenth straight:
WEATHER EQUALIZER?
Week-long rain might give strategy to partly cloudy skies by kickoff. If the climate doesn’t floor as an equalizer, then turnovers certain might.
“(Rain) impacts guys carrying the soccer, and ball safety is No. 1 factor this time of 12 months, to not flip the ball over,” proper sort out Mike McGlinchey mentioned.
Rain fell on this week’s practices, which aren’t being run as full velocity as these early within the season. “No one desires to observe within the rain,” security Tashaun Gipson Sr. mentioned. “However we’ve performed in rain video games. So long as it’s not like Chicago.”
The 49ers have 17 turnovers and 26 takeaways this season, for a plus-9 differential that ranks solely behind the Dallas Cowboys (plus-11).
WHAT’S IN CARDS?
No Kyler Murray (knee) or Colt McCoy (concussion). No DeAndre Hopkins (knee). No drawback? Oh gosh, not this once more.
Caught off-guard by Jarrett Stidham’s productiveness in his first profession begin for the Raiders, the 49ers ought to know higher than to ease up in opposition to the Cardinals’ backups, even when this ought to be a gimmie.
“Do I feel we want that? Not essentially,” Warner mentioned of the protection’s self-inflicted wounds final Sunday. “You study quite a bit if you get humbled like that. You’d wish to study whereas being dominant, like we've got been. However that’s life, that’s soccer.”
Arizona is all the way down to its fourth quarterback, David Bough, who began final Sunday’s 20-19 loss at Atlanta (24-of-40, 222 yards, one landing). Requested if he knew something about him, Bosa replied: “Not a lot in any respect, however not taking anyone frivolously.” Bough misplaced his different 5 profession begins with the Detroit Lions, who launched him Sept. 1 to make room for 49ers castoff Nate Sudfeld.
Bough could be smart to focus on tight finish Trey McBride, seeing how Raiders tight ends Darren Waller and Foster Moreau capitalized on flaws within the 49ers’ protection. Others to look at: working again James Conner (782 yards, seven touchdowns) and broad receivers Marquise Brown (wrist) and A.J. Inexperienced.
DEFENSIVE MOMENTUM
A lot for a historic and legendary protection, proper? Surrendering 34 factors to a quarterback in his first profession begin isn't any strategy to bolster your popularity. They’re nonetheless the NFL’s No. 1 scoring protection, however they’ve fallen to No. 3 in yards allowed per sport; the Payments climbed to No. 1 by advantage of Monday evening’s temporary work of their ultimately canceled sport on the Bengals.
The 49ers’ defensive lapses final sport had been a mix of points which have surfaced throughout this season, although Warner additionally gave correct credit score to the Raiders’ efforts.
“We have now to play higher on the again finish with eye self-discipline. It’s value us some actually large performs,” defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans mentioned. “(Talanoa Hufanga) has to wash up his eyes. Too many large performs are being given up, and Huf is aware of that. Defending us within the again finish as ‘The Eraser, he can’t be soiled. He needs to be higher.”
Ryans famous he’s pleased with Deommodore Lenoir’s progress, however that he and everybody can play higher. Serving to them out is a move rush that want to get extra manufacturing from others beside Bosa. Samson Ebukam has 4 1/2 sacks, his identical whole every of the earlier three seasons.
Bosa is 2 sacks shy of the 49ers’ single-season file of 19 1/2, set by Aldon Smith in 2012. Will Fred Warner (122 tackles) catch Dre Greenlaw (127 tackles) to complete because the group’s main tackler for the fifth time in Warner’s 5 seasons?
Greenlaw received’t play due to again ache from final sport, opening the door for Warner’s sort out chase. “I really feel dangerous for (Greenlaw), actually, as a result of it’s going to require him lacking two video games (all season) to ensure that me to move him with me enjoying all 17,” Warner mentioned. “He’s had a heck of a season. If I get six (tackles), I get six. If I don’t, I don’t.”
RUSHING ROTATION
Christian McCaffrey deserves a break. His 193-yard, Vegas present left him with a light ankle sprain. He’s been coping with a knee challenge since Nov. 27. He must be contemporary for his first playoff run since his 2017 rookie season’s wild-card exit with Carolina.
However Shanahan mentioned McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel and Elijah Mitchell all will play, for less than the fourth time this season collectively.
That doesn’t imply the 49ers should extensively play them or overwork Samuel, who simply returned to observe Wednesday from Dec. 11 sprains to his left knee and ankle.
What the 49ers ought to do is have Mitchell maximize his snap-count manufacturing, and likewise deploy rookies Jordan Mason (35 carries, 230 yards) and Ty Davis-Worth (26 carries, 72 yards). Are they succesful move protectors or receivers, nevertheless?
POINT PRODUCTION
The 49ers have scored over 30 factors in 4 of the 5 video games since Brock Purdy changed Jimmy Garoppolo.
At 25.8 factors per sport, they’re on tempo to common their third-most factors in a season in 25 years (29.9 ppg. in each 1998 and 2019).
The 49ers ought to wish to preserve their point-scoring momentum going with Purdy, who’ll try and change into the primary rookie quarterback to ever win a Tremendous Bowl. (Ben Roethlisberger reached the 2004 AFC Championship Recreation as a rookie.)
Purdy received’t be left with a skeleton help crew round him. “If we had nothing to play for, I’d undoubtedly handle guys much more with one week to go,” Shanahan mentioned. “However we've got quite a bit to play for.”
Tight finish George Kittle certain has been price enjoying. He scored his career-high ninth landing final Sunday, and he had two touchdowns within the 49ers’ 38-10 win over the Cardinals on Nov. 21.
Added Bosa: “We simply must win, as a result of, both means with the Eagles, we've got to ensure we get the 2-seed.”