Plus, does a statement win need to happen this week?
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The 49ers have followed their three-game losing streak with a three-game winning streak reminiscent of the team’s dominating start to 2023. Many wondered if the 49ers would lose a single game this season. Their record sits at 8-3 heading into Sunday’s much anticipated NFC Championship game rematch with the Philadelphia Eagles. Beating the Eagles is tough enough, but what if the 49ers run the table out of their bye?
There’s no doubt closing the gap with the number one seed is important with a win, but the team will need a little help from others if they intend to steal the spot from Philadelphia. When the 49ers put together a complete game, they are near impossible to beat.
Let’s take a peek at the upcoming schedule:
@ Philadelphia, vs. Seattle, @ Arizona, vs. Baltimore (Christmas Day), @ Washington, and vs. Rams.
A win against Philadelphia would signal the team has a chance to finish their remaining schedule without a loss. Baltimore is the opponent that sticks out following the Eagles. The 49ers will be heavy favorites against Seattle, Arizona, Washington, and Los Angeles.
Any organization would consider a 14-3 regular season finish as a stellar season, but it may not be enough to clinch home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
A 6-0 finish isn’t as far-fetched as it seems for the 49ers.
Do the 49ers need this win as a statement more than to keep pace in the NFC?
Following the NFC Championship game, the barbs between Eagles and 49ers players have continued into this week. Deebo Samuel called James Bradberry “trash,” Haason Reddick said there were a lot of “boo hoos” after the title game, and even former Eagles are still embattled with the 49ers as CJ Gardner-Johnson reignited the spark with comments about Samuel.
Sunday, the 49ers will have a chance to make a big statement in Philadelphia. Sure, a victory doesn’t return the NFC Championship from last season and won’t even put the 49ers in the number one spot in the NFC, but after all the talk from the 49ers about what they would have done in the title game, it is time to show it.
The Eagles can lose Sunday and finish with home field and the bye to begin the playoffs. In which case, the 49ers will likely have to return to Philadelphia to punch a ticket to Las Vegas for the Super Bowl.
A victory would show the 49ers can go into Philadelphia and win. After all is said and done, Sunday’s game is a big “put up” or “shut up” moment for the 49ers.
About the Author: Insidethe49
