“So you’re saying there’s a chance”
The last time we heard from San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan was last Friday afternoon on a conference call. He seemed increasingly annoyed with the repeated questions about 2025.
As of writing, the Niners currently have less than a one percent chance of making the postseason. So, it’s understandable why Shanahan received the questions that he did.
If the 49ers were to sneak into the playoffs, it would require Santa Claus to drop a winning lottery ticket into their stocking. Let’s walk through the maze that’s the path to San Francisco’s longshot postseason hopes.
Week 16
The 49ers beat the Dolphins. Any other loss by the Niners and you can stick a fork in their playoff chances.
There will be a theme here, and that’s the NFC West imploding. The Los Angeles Rams, who are on the road against a New York Jets team that is still showing life, would need to lose. Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams turned back the clock last week. Hopefully, that fountain of youth continues for at least another week.
The Seattle Seahawks get another home game. But if you’re rooting against them, that’s a good thing. The 12-2 Minnesota Vikings are tied for first place in the NFC. Sam Darnold walks into Seattle and looks to beat a Seahawks team that’s 3-5 at home this season.
The biggest stretch is the final domino that needs to fall. The Arizona Cardinals are 4.5-point favorites on the road over the Carolina Panthers, who were favored for the first time this past week but could not get off the mat against the Dallas Cowboys. Let’s hope Bryce Young bounces back in a battle of 5’10 quarterbacks.
Week 17
In a game that seemed like a guaranteed loss looks a lot more winnable now that the Detroit Lions have lost what feels like half their starters due to injury.
The Seahawks need to slip up to Caleb Williams and a Chicago Bears offense that doesn’t seem like it could score if you gifted them the ball in the red zone.
Then, we have an NFC matchup between the Cardinals and the Rams. The 49ers need Kyler Murray and company to do what they did in Week 2, which was to beat the Rams by 31 points.
Week 18
If all of that happens, Week 18 will be fascinating. The 49ers travel to the desert and must beat the Cardinals. What needs to happen between the Rams and the Seahawks? Something that’s only happened seven times since 2017.
The 49ers need Los Angeles and Seattle to tie. That would allow the 49ers to sneak into the playoffs and host a home playoff game.
Obviously, it’s the Always Sunny in Philadelphia meme with Charlie going through endless scenarios. But with the NFL, you never know.