In the event you’re actually cool, you get to name San Francisco’s soccer staff the Niners.
It’s those 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 pronouncing a 5-4 staff 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 lately, the 49ers could be packing for a protracted holiday. They aren’t within the postseason box as of the beginning of Week 11. Neither are any of the 5 groups they’ve crushed. That’s the truth.
Alas, the playoffs are mild years away, and there’s time to make up flooring. The issue is the 49ers have performed 3 would-be playoff groups thus far and feature misplaced to all 3. At that fee, they’ll lose to the Packers, Expenses, Lions and Cardinals, leaving them 9-8. So, you realize what they are saying: You might be what you’re. And on this case, they in reality 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 may just lose this week to the Seahawks and once more to the Rams subsequent month. The reality is, there aren’t any softies within the NFC West anymore.
Alas, there aren’t any powers both. Did I point out that the Cardinals lately occupy the catbird seat? So going 3-0 in opposition to the West the remainder of the way in which is moderately conceivable. And, sadly, it’s similarly conceivable for each and every of the opposite 3 regional competitors.
3. They’ve performed to the extent of the contest.
Nov 10, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; San Francisco 49ers vast receiver Ricky Pearsall (14) ranking 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 quite simple win over the Cowboys, adopted via a bye, the 49ers had momentum and enthusiasts dialing up the reservations table on the Bourbon Boulevard Biltmore. A cakewalk over a Tampa Bay staff with none receivers, every other win over a Seahawks staff they’ve already crushed, and …
Have you ever been paying consideration? This used to be a staff 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 similar in opposition to a reeling Cowboys bunch. Once they struggled to carry off Baker & The Cream Puffs, it used to be but every other reminder that, thank goodness, this wasn’t an actual staff.
4. The Packers, Eagles and Lions. Oh my.
If the 49ers win the department, they’ll get one playoff sport at house. However that might very simply be in opposition to the Packers, who gave the house staff suits closing January even if the 49ers had been a sound contender.
And we’re simply getting began. There’s no approach 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 stand a massively awesome protection. Then, in the event that they’re fortunate, they get to retrace their flight trend to Detroit every week later to look a a lot more tough offense. The probabilities of beating the Packers, Eagles and Lions in succession? Much less most probably than a Mike Tyson retirement anytime quickly.
5. They’re now not getting their cash’s price.
Sep 29, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive finish Nick Bosa (97) walks off the sector after the sport in opposition to the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Pictures No staff within the NFL is extra top-heavy in pricey skill than the 49ers. However the uncompromising NFL wage cap assures that for each and every top-of-the-market contract, there are 5 bottom-of-the-market offers, and that’s why few groups try to take this trail to glory.
Take into consideration the Boston Celtics and consider in the event that they needed to play 11 guys at a time. That’s laborious to do while you handiest have six now not named Luke Corn Nut or the like. Each and every opponent turns out to assault the 49ers another way, and it’s simple to look why. They’ve paid to dig themselves a large number of holes.
6. They’re feeling the warmth.
The famous person wideout goes at it with the lengthy snapper. Yikes.
I am getting the place Deebo Samuel used to be coming from. At the 3rd 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 wish to ranking in this power. Pow. However he beneficial properties 12, so Shanahan is proud.
The staff misses Brandon Aiyuk’s across-the-middle course operating. They couldn’t find the money for to import an in-traffic pass-catcher on the closing date, so whilst Jauan Jennings hugs the sidelines as Aiyuk’s alternative, breath-struggling Samuel and gimpy George Kittle get extra safety-targeting routes. You’ll’t lash out in ache on the boss, so some man named Pepper will get peppered.
7. The staff is getting more fit … or is it?
Oct 6, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers operating again Christian McCaffrey (23) walks at the box prior to 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 essential extra time without work, however Shanahan essential extra wins. In order that they braved the Florida warmth… and watched as Kittle’s overuse were given him hamstrung.
And Christian McCaffrey? The place a cameo would possibly were the physician’s orders in his long-awaited season debut, he as an alternative were given 19 touches — the soccer similar of throwing 8 innings regardless of a pitch depend.
Since Shanahan is unwilling to take the foot off the pedal, what the 49ers want presently is a contention sport. The place are they when you wish to have them? Deliver the Raiders again to the Bay Space, let everybody coast thru a four-touchdown win, and definitely you display up for this week’s Seahawks sport with a lighter damage record. However even Mark Davis turns out to hate the Niners.
8. Right here’s the kicker: It in reality is the kicker’s fault.
Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; San Francisco 49ers position kicker Jake Moody (4) kicks a box function in opposition to the Kansas Town Chiefs within the first part in Tremendous Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium. credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports activities The 49ers have misplaced self assurance in kicker Jake Moody, and rightfully so. They stuck a damage when Moody were given injured previous within the 12 months, then amongst 10,000 faculty youngsters being groomed beneath the force of the ESPN School GameDay highlight, they one way or the other couldn’t to find someone higher. So right here we had been once more in Tampa, the place 3 flubbed box objectives just about despatched the 49ers house with a dropping document.
Likelihood is that Moody should make a large one in opposition to the Eagles, Lions or within the Tremendous Bowl. However he’s now not even a certain factor on PATs anymore. I’d hate to be the lengthy snapper, as a result of chances are high that they’ll gang up on him subsequent time.
9. The $60 million guy isn’t the solution.
The 49ers have a top-10 quarterback, one that may get started getting paid like one subsequent season. It gained’t subject if he wins a Tremendous Bowl this February or now not.
That’s a damage for Brock Purdy, as a result of he’s now not flying house with the trophy. Because the 49ers know complete neatly, the staff with the easier quarterback most often wins the Tremendous Bowl. And as just right as Purdy is, he doesn’t measure as much as Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson, the AFC’s 3 main males. A kind of 3 most probably goes to New Orleans. Just right good fortune, Jared Goff.
