Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) throws a cross in opposition to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs within the second half in Tremendous Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium. credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports activities For those who’re actually cool, you get to name San Francisco’s soccer crew the Niners.
It’s these privileged bandwagoners who made reservations for New Orleans in February, believing their guys will run the desk when the time comes.
That leaves us uncool people to concoct 9 causes this isn’t going to occur.
1. They’re 5-4.
Sorry to steer off right here with Shohei Ohtani, however saying a 5-4 crew whose wins have come over the Jets, Patriots, Seahawks, Cowboys and Buccaneers is Tremendous Bowl-bound delivers a primary pitch down the center. If the playoffs began at the moment, the 49ers can be packing for an extended trip. They aren’t within the postseason area as of the beginning of Week 11. Neither are any of the 5 groups they’ve overwhelmed. That’s the truth.
Alas, the playoffs are gentle years away, and there’s time to make up floor. The issue is the 49ers have performed three would-be playoff groups to date and have misplaced to all three. At that fee, they’ll lose to the Packers, Payments, Lions and Cardinals, leaving them 9-8. So, you already know what they are saying: You’re what you might be. And on this case, they really are what they’re: 5-4.
2. This isn’t the NFC South.
Certain, the 49ers would possibly win the rematch with the first-place Cardinals. However additionally they might lose this week to the Seahawks and once more to the Rams subsequent month. The actual fact is, there are not any softies within the NFC West anymore.
Alas, there are not any powers both. Did I point out that the Cardinals at present occupy the catbird seat? So going 3-0 in opposition to the West the remainder of the best way is kind of attainable. And, sadly, it’s equally attainable for every of the opposite three regional rivals.
3. They’ve performed to the extent of the competitors.
Nov 10, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; San Francisco 49ers large receiver Ricky Pearsall (14) rating a landing previous Tampa Bay Buccaneers security Antoine Winfield Jr. (31) within the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Pictures Coming off a comparatively straightforward win over the Cowboys, adopted by a bye, the 49ers had momentum and followers dialing up the reservations desk on the Bourbon Road Biltmore. A cakewalk over a Tampa Bay crew with none receivers, one other win over a Seahawks crew they’ve already overwhelmed, and …
Have you ever been paying consideration? This was a crew that misplaced to a Minnesota squad nonetheless asking itself: Are we severely beginning Sam Darnold at quarterback? They blew leads in opposition to the Rams and Cardinals, then nearly did the identical in opposition to a reeling Cowboys bunch. Once they struggled to carry off Baker & The Cream Puffs, it was yet one more reminder that, thank goodness, this wasn’t an actual crew.
4. The Packers, Eagles and Lions. Oh my.
If the 49ers win the division, they’ll get one playoff recreation at dwelling. However that might very simply be in opposition to the Packers, who gave the house crew matches final January even when the 49ers have been a respectable contender.
And we’re simply getting began. There’s no method the 49ers are catching both the Lions or Eagles within the standings, which plots a playoff map the place they fly to Philly within the ice to face a vastly superior protection. Then, in the event that they’re fortunate, they get to retrace their flight sample to Detroit every week later to see a way more highly effective offense. The possibilities of beating the Packers, Eagles and Lions in succession? Much less seemingly than a Mike Tyson retirement anytime quickly.
5. They’re not getting their cash’s value.
Sep 29, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive finish Nick Bosa (97) walks off the sphere after the sport in opposition to the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Pictures No crew within the NFL is extra top-heavy in costly expertise than the 49ers. However the uncompromising NFL wage cap assures that for each top-of-the-market contract, there are 5 bottom-of-the-market offers, and that’s why few groups try and take this path to glory.
Take into consideration the Boston Celtics and picture in the event that they needed to play 11 guys at a time. That’s onerous to do if you solely have six not named Luke Corn Nut or the like. Each opponent appears to assault the 49ers otherwise, and it’s straightforward to see why. They’ve paid to dig themselves loads of holes.
6. They’re feeling the warmth.
The star wideout goes at it with the lengthy snapper. Yikes.
I get the place Deebo Samuel was coming from. On the third play of the sport in Tampa, Kyle Shanahan referred to as in a play. It appeared like: Ship Deebo round left finish. I don’t care how badly his ribs are hurting; we have to rating on this drive. Pow. However he features 12, so Shanahan is proud.
The crew misses Brandon Aiyuk’s across-the-middle route operating. They couldn’t afford to import an in-traffic pass-catcher on the deadline, so whereas Jauan Jennings hugs the sidelines as Aiyuk’s substitute, breath-struggling Samuel and gimpy George Kittle get extra safety-targeting routes. You may’t lash out in ache on the boss, so some man named Pepper will get peppered.
7. The crew is getting more healthy … or is it?
Oct 6, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers operating again Christian McCaffrey (23) walks on the sphere earlier than the sport in opposition to the Arizona Cardinals at Levi’s Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Pictures After a much-needed bye, Samuel returned with sore ribs and Nick Bosa with a painful hip. They wanted extra time without work, however Shanahan wanted extra wins. So that they braved the Florida warmth… and watched as Kittle’s overuse received him hamstrung.
And Christian McCaffrey? The place a cameo may need been the physician’s orders in his long-awaited season debut, he as an alternative received 19 touches — the soccer equal of throwing eight innings regardless of a pitch rely.
Since Shanahan is unwilling to take the foot off the pedal, what the 49ers want proper now could be a rivalry recreation. The place are they if you want them? Deliver the Raiders again to the Bay Space, let everybody coast by a four-touchdown win, and certainly you present up for this week’s Seahawks recreation with a lighter harm report. However even Mark Davis appears to hate the Niners.
8. Right here’s the kicker: It actually is the kicker’s fault.
Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; San Francisco 49ers place kicker Jake Moody (4) kicks a area aim in opposition to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs within the first half in Tremendous Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium. credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports activities The 49ers have misplaced confidence in kicker Jake Moody, and rightfully so. They caught a break when Moody received injured earlier within the yr, then amongst 10,000 faculty youngsters being groomed underneath the strain of the ESPN School GameDay highlight, they one way or the other couldn’t discover anybody higher. So right here we have been once more in Tampa, the place three flubbed area targets practically despatched the 49ers dwelling with a shedding document.
Chances are high Moody should make a giant one in opposition to the Eagles, Lions or within the Tremendous Bowl. However he’s not even a certain factor on PATs anymore. I’d hate to be the lengthy snapper, as a result of chances are high they’ll gang up on him subsequent time.
9. The $60 million man isn’t the reply.
The 49ers have a top-10 quarterback, one that may begin getting paid like one subsequent season. It gained’t matter if he wins a Tremendous Bowl this February or not.
That’s a break for Brock Purdy, as a result of he’s not flying dwelling with the trophy. Because the 49ers know full nicely, the crew with the higher quarterback normally wins the Tremendous Bowl. And nearly as good as Purdy is, he doesn’t measure as much as Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson, the AFC’s three main males. A type of three seemingly goes to New Orleans. Good luck, Jared Goff.
