Don’t start looking to 2025 yet, but we’re almost there.
If you thought the San Francisco 49ers’ 20-17 loss against the Seattle Seahawks last week was bad, this week’s 38-10 loss to the Green Bay Packers almost has us looking to 2025. Almost.
Now, let’s be clear: They can make the playoffs. The 49ers are 5-6 and only a game back in the NFC West. Just one problem: two other teams are a game ahead, and each has a win over the 49ers. There’s also the Los Angeles Rams, with whom the 49ers are tied. The Rams have a win over the 49ers as well.
The situation is getting closer to the point where the 49ers are unable to control their destiny. If you look at the schedule ahead, it doesn’t get easier after Green Bay since the 49ers face the Buffalo Bills next. In Buffalo.
In other words. The 49ers are circling the drain.
The 49ers are a shadow of their former selves, and it’s getting to that point. It’s not quite “The Quest for Pick No. 6,” but we are getting there.
Seattle Seahawks (6-5)/Arizona Cardinals (6-5)
Meanwhile, the Seattle Seahawks’ 16-6 win over the Arizona Cardinals puts them at 6-5 for the season and back on top in the NFC West. As far as the game itself? Well, it was close. Until midway through the third quarter when Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray threw a floater pick-six. With the missed extra point, the Seahawks went up 13-3, and the game stayed that way until the fourth quarter came inside ten minutes. A field goal with six minutes left gave the Cardinals another three points, and the Seahawks eventually responded with a field goal of their own.
Murray finished the day 24-37 with no touchdowns and an interception.
The Seahawks took care of business, but I wouldn’t say either team was inspiring. Then again, I’m a fan of the team in fourth place right now, so I have no room to talk.
The win puts the Seahawks at 6-5 and tied with the Cardinals. It also gives them the tiebreaker, so they are back on top in the NFC West.
Wonderful.
Los Angeles Rams (5-6)
The Rams made it a game against the Philadelphia Eagles for a half. Then the third quarter hit, and Saquon Barkley took off on the first Eagles offensive play. The Eagles never looked back after that. Next thing you know, it was 27-14 at the end of the third quarter, and the Eagles kept scoring. The Final Score was 37-20.
So the Rams are 5-6, and the 49ers are 5-6. The Rams hold the tiebreaker for third place. Like the 49ers, they are on the outside looking in, but unlike the 49ers, they have only one divisional loss, so they are further in the mix of things.
If you’re a Rams fan, the Philadelphia game doesn’t inspire much confidence, but if we’re talking postseason, the Rams have a better shot right now than the 49ers.
Onto Week 13
It’s a road warrior-like week for the NFC West, with all the teams going on the road.
The 49ers are running on fumes. The last gasp is coming against the Buffalo Bills in Buffalo. The 49ers haven’t beaten a team with a winning record outside of the Seahawks in Week 6. A loss here pretty much has us doing mock drafts.
The Seattle Seahawks travel to the other side of the country to face the New York Jets. The Jets are a mess right now, which will tell us if the Seahawks can keep this lead or get surprised.
The Cardinals will go to Minnesota to play the Vikings. Should the 49ers find themselves back in a tiebreaking scenario, a Cardinals win over the Vikings would play into that. Minnesota is notoriously difficult to play, and Kyler Murray didn’t look too hot this week.
The Rams will be traveling to New Orleans to take on the Saints. The Saints are returning from a bye and not in a good position, being at 4-7, with their only victory over a winning team being the Atlanta Falcons.
1st: Seattle Seahawks; Next: at New York Jets
2nd: Arizona Cardinals; Next: at Minnesota Vikings
3rd: Los Angeles Rams; Next: at New Orleans Saints
4th: San Francisco 49ers; Next: at Buffalo Bills