Were you in the slight majority?
Things aren’t going well for the San Francisco 49ers in 2024. Following a berth in the Super Bowl, the team was tabbed for another deep run in the playoffs, with many believing the team would finally break through and win it all.
According to our FanDuel Sportsbook sponsored poll, only 47 percent of fans believe the team can turn the season around. The poll ran on Wednesday before the team received worse news heading into their must-win game with the Packers on Friday afternoon. Brock Purdy and Nick Bosa are out, and Trent Williams is a true game-time decision, per Kyle Shanahan. Purdy’s status for next week’s game in Buffalo is also “up in the air.”
Sunday’s rematch of the NFC divisional round from 2023 was a chance for the 49ers to put it all together and prove they are still worthy of the label of “NFC contender.” While the team can notch a win, the confidence with Brandon Allen starting and without their best EDGE rusher has to dwindle. Shanahan and the team have to dig deep for a victory. While Shanahan does have a history of winning with backups, given how the team has performed coupled with the losses of Purdy and Bosa, it feels different than the year Trey Lance, Jimmy Garoppolo, and Purdy led the team to victories.
Fans are also incredibly low on the team’s direction. While writing these polls and their results, I’ve never seen the results so low regarding confidence in the team’s direction. Only 18 percent of fans are confident in the team, which figures to be lower given the injury news from Friday.
Sunday’s game is a gut-check moment for the 49ers. Will they fold or fight? The game plan offensively won’t change much, according to Shanahan, and it shouldn’t. A heavy dose of Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, Jauan Jennings, and Deebo Samuel needs to be the emphasis. Get them the ball any way you can.
Will this team show grit on Sunday? This game is the turning point for the season. Which 49ers team will show up?
