SANTA CLARA, Calif. — No strangers to deep postseason runs, the San Francisco 49ers know higher than anybody the worth of the NFC’s high seed.
The Niners have been to a few of the previous 4 NFC Championship Video games. The one time they superior to the Tremendous Bowl was 2019, which was additionally the one time the group had the No. 1 seed, a first-round bye and homefield benefit all through the playoffs.
It is also why they by no means shied away from making the NFC’s No. 1 spot their high precedence of the common season. Regardless of a couple of bumps, the Niners achieved that aim in Week 17, rested most of their starters in Week 18 and completed 12-5.
Now, they undergo this week’s bye unsure of their divisional spherical opponent — it will likely be both the No. 4-seed Tampa Bay Buccaneers, No. 5 Philadelphia Eagles, No. 6 Los Angeles Rams or No. 7 Inexperienced Bay Packers — however targeted on getting wholesome and cleansing up any lingering points.
“That is the primary week the place we’re capable of actually simply have a look at what has harm us previously,” linebacker Fred Warner stated. “What can we actually get higher at this week and concentrate on?”
The Niners confirmed few flaws in the course of the season, typically trying the a part of a juggernaut destined to land within the Tremendous Bowl. Nonetheless, there are few issues which can be trigger for concern because the postseason nears.
Coming from behind
The 49ers jumped out to large leads in most of their 12 wins, hardly ever being compelled right into a comeback place in shut and late conditions. However after they have been in tense late-game spots, they’ve come up brief.
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In 17 video games, the Niners trailed at halftime in three of them. They misplaced all three. They have been behind getting into the fourth quarter in 4 video games. They misplaced all 4 of these, too. San Francisco was 12-2 in video games it was both tied or main at halftime, and a kind of was a meaningless Week 18 recreation through which the Niners and Rams have been resting starters.
49ers quarterback Brock Purdy hasn’t performed significantly effectively in these conditions, both. Within the 4 video games the Niners trailed via three quarters, Purdy was 24-of-44 for 353 yards within the fourth quarter with one landing go and three interceptions, registering a 30.5 QBR.
It is a small pattern, however these Niners have struggled. To advance deep within the postseason, they’re going to have to have the ability to win in several methods.
“That is why we acquired to be so locked into these practices,” coach Kyle Shanahan stated. “Simply how we clear issues up and ensure it doesn’t matter what occurs, regardless of who comes right here in a pair weeks. And it doesn’t matter what sort of recreation it’s, whether or not it is a shootout, a recreation of area targets, no matter it’s, that we’re up for no matter it takes to win it.”
An unproven kicker
The Niners’ document in shut, late conditions can be higher have been it not for rookie kicker Jake Moody’s missed 41-yard area aim towards the Cleveland Browns on Oct. 15. It was Moody’s first try at a game-winner, however he pushed it proper and the Niners suffered their first lack of the season. Moody did not get one other alternative to try a game-tying area aim late in a recreation or a game-winner.
Moody missed a 40-yard area aim within the following week’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings however then went 9 straight video games with out lacking a kick. That streak got here crashing down in Week 18, when Moody missed a 38-yard area aim and his first further level of the season in a recreation the Niners misplaced by one. These have been Moody’s solely misses on any kicks inside 40 yards this season.
Whereas these misses understandably created angst amongst Niners followers, the group plans to roll with its third-round rookie within the postseason with no plans to herald veteran insurance coverage.
“He is been nice all yr,” Shanahan stated. “He was tough on these two [misses], however no, we’re good with Jake.”
Certainly, Moody was principally strong all season on restricted makes an attempt. He completed 21-of-25 on area targets for an 84% conversion charge, which ranked nineteenth amongst kickers with at the very least 20 makes an attempt, and led the league in further factors tried (61) and made (60).
Very similar to coming from behind, it is not that Moody is incapable of coming via at successful time a lot as uncertainty primarily based on an absence of alternatives.
Damage points
Incomes the highest seed with every week left within the common season was excellent news for the Niners on many fronts however particularly for an ever-expanding listing of accidents. They took benefit by resting all of their injured gamers in Week 18 and pulling most of their starters no later than halftime.
That created a possibility for youthful gamers to get much-needed recreation reps.
“We’re going to want everyone with this playoff stretch,” cornerback Deommodore Lenoir stated. “I simply felt prefer it was a very good factor for everyone, for the blokes which have by no means performed earlier than to actually get a possibility. You by no means know when your time known as.”
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San Francisco is assured that working again Christian McCaffrey (calf), safeties Tashaun Gipson Sr. (quad) and Ji’Ayir Brown (knee), and cornerback Ambry Thomas (hand) shall be rested and prepared for the primary playoff recreation.
That additionally applies to tight finish George Kittle (again spasms) and linebacker Dre Greenlaw (Achilles tendinitis), who have been held out towards the Rams for precautionary causes.
Nonetheless, there’s one key participant whose standing stays extra unsure: defensive deal with Arik Armstead. Armstead missed the ultimate 5 video games with foot and knee accidents, with the foot the bigger space of concern.
Shanahan stated that Armstead will observe Thursday, and once more on Friday if all goes effectively. Shanahan additionally indicated that Armstead might have performed within the season finale towards the Rams if wanted. His presence is integral for the Niners’ protection, significantly towards the run. With Armstead on the sector this season, they gave up simply 3.7 yards per carry. When Armstead will not be on the sector, that quantity jumps to 4.5.
The Niners and Armstead are optimistic he shall be obtainable for the playoff push. If he’s, the query turns into how efficient he shall be and the way lengthy he’ll maintain up. The reply to these questions will go a great distance in figuring out San Francisco’s playoff destiny.