NFL: Top 25 boldest predictions for the rest of the season: 6. San Francisco 49ers make the playoffs
Jimmy Garoppolo looked as good as he has in two seasons against the Bears in Week 8. That win puts the San Francisco 49ers record at 3-4. No, not great in the highly competitive NFC West, but it’s still something the 49ers can work with. There is a clear hierarchy in the NFC with four teams at the team, but there’s a significant drop off after that.
Right now, the 49ers are a half-a-game back of the postseason. The Carolina Panthers have that 7th and final spot right at. They are 4-4. They have an injured Sam Darnold at starting quarterback. Things just don’t seem to be pointing in their direction. The Minnesota Vikings are slightly ahead of the 49ers, too. They have looked pretty terrible on all sides of the ball, and they really shouldn’t make the playoffs this season.
The New Orleans Saints are 5-2, but they just lost their starting quarterback and they have to figure out if Taysom Hill or Trevor Siemian is the best route forward. They might come back to Earth, too.
Outside of the 49ers’ remaining games against the NFC West, they have a lot of winnable games on the schedule. They still have matchups with the Jaguars, Texans, Vikings, Falcons, and the Henry-less Titans. This will lead to a 9-8 season, which will be just enough to make the postseason in the NFC.