I actually saw someone asking about where the mailbag was on the feed. Don’t worry, I wouldn’t pass up such a critical moment to give my (useless) answers to your (incredible) questions. For those of you who wonder, I usually post a question thread in the feed on Sunday/Monday. Hit me with your questions there. I’ll also see if there are any good feed posts outside of that to mention here. When the offseason hits, we’ll try to keep it going, but we’ll make it a bit more casual. Talk football, but also movies, video games, Golden Girls reruns— Whatever.
Now, before we get to this week’s mailbag.
The San Francisco 49ers play the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. They haven’t lost a wild-card game since I was in college. That’s how far back I go. I will say I consider this season a massive success. I think the 49ers hit the draft with Mykel Williams and others, even if there are injuries. The second-year players look like they will be decent starters, and Brock Purdy showed why he’s worth that contract.
Now, the 49ers need to fill in the holes and probably revamp strength and conditioning in the offseason. As I’ve said, the issue isn’t the freak accidents; it’s the philosophical things (like them saying Nick Bosa may not have torn his ACL, but Bosa knew immediately that he did).
Despite all this adversity, injuries, and a defense that is the NFL equivalent of non-adhesive duct tape, the 49ers snagged a playoff spot. There’s a lot to be hopeful for in the future. Be very happy with the team and the man who coaches it. Another draft and a good free agency, and they’ll be a juggernaut.
Onto your questions:
Can the 49ers get at least one playoff win? Maybe two?
—Boise49ersFan
I will not be surprised to see the 49ers beat the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. That said, I don’t think they will win. Call me a hater all you want (I love the 49ers, actually—it’s why I do this job), when I look at what I’ve seen, I feel they won’t get out of Philly with a win.
The offense should have an easier time. Despite three points at home, I don’t think the things were that bad without Trent Williams. The Eagles’ defense isn’t the Seahawks, so we should see a couple of touchdowns.
Defensively, the 49ers are weak. It looked efficient against the Seahawks because Seattle’s offense isn’t that great. In fact, much like the 2019 NFC West showdown in Seattle, the 49ers were much like the Seahawks then. In 2019, the Seahawks were rolling Marshawn Lynch out of retirement for the last game of the season because they had no more running backs to carry the ball. In last week’s game? The 49ers defense was in the same state.
The 49ers have had a tremendous season given the circumstances, but how much more can they get? The Eagles are the league’s most efficient and successful dysfunctional organization. I do think the 49ers can get points, but I don’t think the defense will be able to hold much down, and the Eagles defense should get a few more crucial stops than the Chicago Bears did. Sorry, everyone, I am just being a realist. Make fun of me all you want after the 49ers win.
Now two playoff wins? Back to the NFC Championship? That means Kyle Shanahan either goes to that game or the Super Bowl when his teams enter the playoffs. I don’t see it, but that depends on who they get if they survive the Wild Card.
Did our expectations get too high based on the last 3 games being against terrible defensive teams or can this team really put up 25+ against good defenses?
—bigtime22
Yes.
Ok, being serious. No, expectations were not high. For me, anyway, because I didn’t think they would win last week. A lot of things in last week’s game went the Seahawks’ way. One being that ball bouncing out of Christian McCaffrey’s hands and into the waiting arms of a Seahawks defender. Another being a fumble that the Seahawks somehow recover when 80 percent of the time the defender would be able to get his hands on it.
The 49ers have an efficient offense; they just hit a roadblock last week against one of the league’s best defenses, without their star offensive tackle or wide receiver. And like I said, I don’t really think they were awful given the circumstances. The same thing happened against the Houston Texans. Yes, the 49ers didn’t have Brock Purdy then. However, tougher defenses are….well, tougher. Had that ball not bounced off McCaffrey’s hands, we’d have had a very different ball game at that point.
I think 25 points is possible against good defenses, provided they have all their important players available. Looking forward, it’s something to build on. Offensive line should be one of the emphases in the 2026 draft and free agency; the pass protection seems to be there for the most part, but they need to be able to run the ball when they want to run it.
Rivalry Uniform: Apparently these uniforms will remain in the alternate rotation for three years after this season.
Is there anything that can be done to prevent seeing them ever again – a team or fan vote, maybe?
The uniforms were nearly as disturbing as anything else that happened in the game.
—DrWu
I dunno, I kind of like the new uniforms. We won’t know how much they will be used in the rotation, maybe once or twice, who knows. I know that the all-white throwbacks and the red/white throwbacks should be held onto for another three years. They are slick. The problem with the all-whites is spilling mustard on them, but that’s it.
The black ones aren’t bad, but this is a guy whose favorite colors are black and red.
Open Ended Question: Should the 49ers trade up for Safety Caleb Downs?
—NeverDoubttANiner
Absolutely not. The 49ers need to figure out their defensive line first and foremost. I love Downs, but the first round is not the round the 49ers should take a safety, much less trade up to get one. They should be taking defensive line or offensive line. Period. End of discussion.
That’s not to say the secondary isn’t to blame for some of the issues. Former 49ers safety Donte Whitner sums things up better than I can. While Robert Saleh is a vast improvement over what we’ve had at defensive coordinator the last two years, his major flaw continues to be that when his starters are injured, he can’t accommodate their absence. Remember in 2014 when Vic Fangio lost both Patrick Willis AND NaVorro Bowman? He still turned in a top-15 defensive unit. Once Saleh loses stars, it seems like improvisation goes out the window. Sometimes it feels like there’s no plan B. Give him a cheat code, and he knows what to do; take the cheat code away, and your mileage may vary.
Now, what they should do and what they will actually do are two different things. I doubt either the offensive or defensive line is the first pick, simply because that would make sense. The 49ers have a way of surprising us. Maybe they get another wide receiver after all the Ricky Pearsall injury trouble. Maybe they DO get a safety just to troll me. If you haven’t become accustomed to nothing going according to logic on draft day, you haven’t been a fan for very long. Plus, the draft will be dictated by free agency. I think the 49ers will make a few moves in free agency, but my gut says they keep most of that cash and wait until all Aiyuk’s guaranteed money is off the books by 2027, then go shopping.
But should they trade up for Downs? No. No trading up for Downs. Even if they stay put and he falls into their laps, I think it’s ignoring larger holes. Yes, the secondary has issues, but I will continue to beat this horse that if the pass rush could be more consistent and get home or push bodies into the QB, the secondary wouldn’t be having near the problems they have.
Is Die Hard a Christmas movie?
—CanWeCloneJoe?
Not only do I think it is, not only does Fooch think it is, but James Cameron does too. In fact, not only does James Cameron call it his favorite action movie (this is the guy who did Aliens and Terminator 2), he says it’s the BEST Christmas movie.
There is no argument to the contrary. Die Hard either is, or you are simply wrong.
Enjoy the game Sunday, everyone. Go Niners!
About the Author: Insidethe49
