Regardless of being tied for the second-best report within the NFC (and the NFL, for that matter), the San Francisco 49ers are the crème de la crème of the conference. Other than that three-game slide in the course of the season, the Niners have dominated the NFC and performed it towards the perfect groups. This was confirmed in Week 13’s assembly with the Eagles in Philadelphia, the place SF avenged their loss in final yr’s NFC title recreation.
San Francisco has pulled forward of each the Eagles and Cowboys as the category of the convention. The Eagles and Cowboys, mixed, couldn’t put 30 factors on the board towards the 49ers, whereas these boys from the Bay Space totaled 84 towards the perfect providing from the NFC East. When the Niners keep on observe, play their recreation and impose their will on opponents, they’re the hardest draw within the league.
On Sunday, SF dogged Philly for 3 quarters after an embarrassing begin. The Niners gained a measly -6 yards within the first quarter, then exploded within the second and by no means appeared again. The 49ers reeled off over 450 yards in 9 offensive drives after going into the unfavourable of their first two drives. They walked into Philadelphia and bullied the bully. San Francisco beat ‘em so bad that current Eagles CB Darius Slay got a little sensitive and went after former LB Seth Joyner on Twitter over his commentary. It’s trying unhealthy within the Metropolis of Brotherly Love.
The Niners have crushed a number of groups within the playoff hunt alongside the way in which and have constructed up a formidable resume over the previous few months with ictories over the Eagles, Cowboys, Seahawks & Rams, who’re all alive within the NFC postseason chase. You possibly can add the Steelers and Jaguars because the AFC playoff hopefuls that the Niners have downed.
That three-game dropping streak to the Browns, Vikings and Bengals is within the rearview and the 49ers are targeted. SF has the perfect report within the convention (7-1) and among the finest house data (4-1). Placing that beatdown on Philly stored them alive for the No. 1 seed within the NFC and a first-round bye. Oh, and they’re nonetheless taking part in the perfect protection within the league, being certainly one of solely two groups that haven’t given up a complete of 200 factors to date his season. The Niners and Ravens have allowed lower than 190 factors via 12 video games, which is absurd in right now’s NFL. And so they’ve acquired an enormous Monday Night time Soccer matchup on Christmas evening in just a few weeks.
Baltimore and San Francisco might find yourself No. 1 seeds of their respective conferences. This could be a Tremendous Bowl preview in Week 16. It’s a battle of two defensive-minded groups that may additionally pile up factors in a rush. It needs to be an excellent recreation and the hardest remaining contest on SF’s schedule. Whereas it’s simpler stated than completed, they’ve acquired to maintain the ship on target and that No. 1 seed may be theirs. It’s solely a matter of getting it performed now, however the Niners are undoubtedly within the driver’s seat.
