The Write Zone

The Niners have had quite the topsy-turvy season, and currently have a Win, Loss, Win, Loss, Win, Loss, Win, Loss pattern going on here. But if they want to make it into the playoffs, here are a few of the most crucial games in the remaining season.

Panthers vs. Niners.

Everyone is probably thinking that the Panthers are done for the season and are still one of the worst teams in the NFL. Yeah, they’re not the Bills or Eagles, but don’t put them out of this race yet. Their record is 5-5 and if you think about it honestly, that’s only one win/loss less than the Niners. I know that they are playing the Falcons in what will probably be a loss, and the Niners are playing the Cardinals in what will probably be a win, but the week after that, its Niners vs. Panthers. Think about it like this: If the Niners win against the Cardinals, that puts them 7-4, and if the Panthers win to the Falcons, that puts them at 6-5. But if San Francisco falls to the Panthers, that puts Carolina at 7-5 and Niners at 6-7. Let me do you a favor and compare the rest of their season…

Panthers: Atlanta Falcons – Niners: Arizona Cardinals

Panthers: San Francisco 49ers – Niners: Carolina Panthers

Panthers: Los Angeles Rams – Niners: Cleveland Browns

Both teams: BYE

Panthers: New Orleans Saints – Niners: Tennessee Titans

Panthers: Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Niners: Indianapolis Colts

Panthers: Seattle Seahawks – Niners: Chicago Bears

Panthers: Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Niners: Seattle Seahawks

Okay, that looks like a LOT of blowout games for the Panthers. But if you look at the predictions of NFL writer Ali Bhanpuri, he thinks that the Panthers will beat the Falcons, Saints, and the Buccaneers in their second division matchup. (Note on the Bucs game: The reason why they will probably win is because the Bucs at that point will mostly likely be 11-5, and will be secured in the playoffs, so they will save Mayfield and Irving and their other starters for the playoffs. But with the Panthers- depending on how their games with the other teams play out- might still be scrambling for the playoffs or willing to use their starters to give their players one more 2025 game. Either way, them using the starters is highly likely)

Why this game with the Niners is critical is because, depending on turnouts, it could flip the script of the season. You probably saw them beat the Packers. So don’t put Carolina out of the playoff race yet. (Although, personally, I don’t believe this is their year. Sorry guys) But if the Niners beat the Panthers, that will remove another playoff competitor.

Bears vs. Niners.

This one is probably WAY more important than that Panthers game. Now, based on Bhanpuri’s predictions, the Bears will end with the same 10-7 record the Niners will, but be able to secure the No. 6 NFC seed because of better division or common opponents record. Now, if the Niners win that Bears game, that’ll put them (hopefully) at 11-6, and the Bears at 9-8. You see how this game could change the playoff picture? Now here’s where the game changer is: Brock Purdy, Ricky Pearsall, and Brandon Aiyuk return to the offensive line on fire. If we have those three stars, and manage to keep Christian McCaffery and George Kittle healthy, out offensive line will be better. The offense is fine now, but our defense is being demolished. It didn’t surprise me that the Niners were beaten by the Rams because last time the Niners had Fred Warner.

Okay, so it is realistic to say that, honestly, it’s going to be close. San Francisco has had one interception while the Bears have had 13. Niners lead the passing yards in the NFL. I could go on, but it’s fair to say the Bears have a better defense but if the Niners get their stars back, they’ll have a better offense. It’s really a waiting matter now, seeing who can return to the 49ers offensive line before then.

Seahawks vs. Niners

If the Niners win both of these games, they’ll have one important one left. Their regular season finale against the Seahawks. This could quite honestly make or break the Seahawks chances for a higher seed. There’s a decent chance the Seahawks will need to win this game in order to secure the division title. If they lose, though, that could fall to the Rams. I believe that we’ll be seeing Rams, Niners, and Seahawks all playing hard in the upcoming games, trying not only to all make it into the playoffs (which is likely) but to fight to move closer to the Superbowl.

The Niners almost fell to the Seahawks in the first game of the season, but now that Sam Darnold has chemistry with Jaxson Smith-Njigba, the Seahawks offense is lit on fire. My only hopes are that the Niners can pull themselves together enough to create an upset. (Keep in mind, the only reason they won that first division game was because of a strip sack on Darnold in the redzone)

In all, these games are critical to the playoff picture. Yes, the Cardinals game is coming up on Sunday and that could be important too, but honestly, the Cardinals have a current 2% chance of making it into the playoffs (>1% if the Niners win) and they’re missing their best players, and so, I believe it is not as important as the other games I listed. If you want more Niners News, then subscribe for notifications!

See you at the next snap,

Tatum