San Francisco 49ers: 5 Burning questions for the stretch run

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The San Francisco 49ers are not in playoff contention, but there is still plenty to watch for down the stretch. Here we look at five burning questions.

It will be another season with no playoff hopes for the San Francisco 49ers, but that does mean their remaining seven games are without intrigue.

The Niners finish the season with numerous opportunities to add their two wins as well as some tough tests that will provide an indication as to how good their newest sensation at quarterback actually is.

Here we look at five burning questions surrounding the 49ers as their season heads towards its conclusion.

Will Mullens Mania last?

It’s the big question on the lips of most connected with the 49ers. Was Nick Mullens’ stunning 262-yard, three-touchdown performance against the Oakland Raiders a flash in the pan against a terrible defense, or was it the first in a string of strong showings that will at least help him displace C.J. Beathard as Jimmy Garoppolo’s backup?

Mullens was decisive and composed as he marked his debut by shredding Oakland in a 34-3 rout, looking off defenders and dealing well with pressure on the rare occasion on which it came.

With favorable matchups with the New York Giants and Tampa Bay Buccaneers to come either side of the bye before the tougher defenses of the Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos and Chicago Bears arrive. That presents an opportunity for him to stack impressive performances and prove he can be a quarterback capable of winning multiple games at the NFL level.

Should he do so, the position of Beathard — who has just one win as a starter in his Niners career — as Garoppolo’s No. 2 will be under serious threat. If Mullens is somehow able to excel against the likes of the Seahawks and Bears then the Niners could well be in the very enviable position of going into the offseason with two quarterbacks capable of starting. With Mullens at the helm of the offense, the 49ers will be an intriguing watch even with their postseason hopes long since ended.