The 49ers find themselves in a challenging spot. Currently sitting outside the playoff picture with a 4-4 record, the team has work to do to secure a postseason berth. With tough NFC competition ahead, who poses the biggest threats to their playoff ambitions?
1. The Entire NFC North
At the season’s outset, it seemed unlikely that all NFC North teams would be playoff contenders, yet now that’s a possibility. The Lions, Packers, and Vikings are all in the top 7 of the NFC and are projected to make the playoffs, while the Bears sit just behind in 8th, right ahead of the 49ers. Each team offers a unique combination of strong offense and defense.
The Lions boast one of the league’s most explosive offenses alongside a solid defense, blending Dan Campbell’s aggressive style with Jared Goff’s playmaking. The Vikings, with Sam Darnold as an unexpected star, have looked impressive, aided by Kevin O’Connell’s top-5 defense. The Packers have been effective under Matt LaFleur’s offensive strategies, running the ball well and displaying a solid defense, and Malik Willis has stepped up when needed. Even the Bears, though Caleb Williams may not have met his high expectations, are winning with a tough defense. If all NFC North teams make the playoffs, it adds significant pressure on the 49ers to either secure a wild-card spot or win their division. The 49ers face most of these teams soon, and while a loss to the Lions or Packers wouldn’t be disastrous, it could tighten their margin for error.
2. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals have transformed in 2024. Led by new coach Jonathan Gannon and rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona now sits at the top of the NFC West with a 5-4 record. Though not a top-10 team, they defeated the 49ers in Week 5, underscoring their competitive edge. Arizona’s defense may be average, but the improved offense has turned them into serious division leaders. For the 49ers, their clearest route to the playoffs might be to win the division, and that would require Arizona to stumble in upcoming games. If they enter Week 18 on par with the Cardinals, their season finale could be a must-win to clinch a postseason spot.
3. LA Rams
The Rams might be the 49ers’ most immediate threat. Currently also at 4-4, the Rams handed the 49ers a tough loss in Week 3, rallying in the fourth quarter to secure the win. With Puka Nacua back from injury, the Rams have gone on a three-game winning streak, showing they can compete with strong teams. If they continue their streak with wins over the Dolphins and Patriots, the 49ers may be left struggling to reach the playoffs in a year they hoped to contend for the Super Bowl. For the 49ers to keep their playoff hopes alive, they need to return to their Super Bowl-caliber form, the team that went toe-to-toe with the Chiefs. Right now, the 49ers have many questions to answer, but they need to shift those questions into exclamation points to secure their postseason future.
