The loss to the short-handed Indianapolis Colts in Week 7. The loss to the ‘B Team’ Arizona Cardinals in Week 9. The Thursday night loss to the Tennessee Titans in Week 16.
With a victory in any of those winnable games, the 49ers could have entered Week 18 with a playoff spot sewn up and an opportunity to rest their players. Instead, they open up the week as 5.5-point underdogs against the NFC West champ Los Angeles Rams needing a victory or some help to realize their postseason aspirations.
Once again, the 49ers will be scoreboard watching for the New Orleans Saints. Coach Kyle Shanahan said he watched the end of the Saints’ 18-10 win over the Carolina Panthers Sunday shortly after San Francisco secured its 23-7 win over the Houston Texans. The two outcomes mean the 49ers and Saints will figure out their playoff fates in Week 18.
“I had a feeling that that was going to go like that, and it did,” Shanahan told reporters Sunday. “I’m just glad we took care of business, so we got our second playoff game next week.”
The assignment is simple for the 49ers: win or tie against the Rams on Sunday and they’re in the postseason.
If the Saints (8-8) lose or tie against the Atlanta Falcons, the 49ers (9-7) are also in.
Listen to Bay Area sports talk now on Audacy and shop the latest 49ers team gear
If the 49ers lose and the Saints win, New Orleans would earn a postseason nod based on conference records. Under this scenario, the Saints would finish 7-5 against the NFC, one game better than the 49ers’ 6-6 mark. The 49ers-Rams and Saints-Falcons matchups both kick off at 1:25 p.m. Sunday.
Based on tiebreakers, the Philadelphia Eagles (9-7) have already clinched their playoff berth but would finish as the No. 7 seed if the 49ers make the playoffs.
San Francisco has held something of a hex over the Rams, winning the past five head-to-head matchups, including the 31-10 Monday night matchup in Week 10 that turned the fortunes of the 49ers’ season.
Whether the starting quarterback will be rookie Trey Lance or Jimmy Garoppolo remains to be seen, but there will be plenty of drama in the final week of the season for the 49ers.
