The San Francisco 49ers sit in the sixth seed in the NFC with a 9-4 record, and could move up to the second seed with some help during their bye week. When the schedule was released, a Week 14 bye was met with criticism for being scheduled so late in the season. As it turns out, it might just be at the perfect time, given the critical stretch of games and the 49ers’ veterans’ valuable rest for the stretch run. Now, the 49ers roll into their final four games with experience, good coaching, and an upward trajectory – a perfect storm of circumstances for a playoff run.
How has the NFL media ranked the 49ers after their third consecutive win?
ESPN.com – The 49ers inch closer to the top five at #7
Technically, the 49ers didn’t make a trade right at the deadline, but one trade before the season has turned into a valuable asset. Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com highlights Special Teams returner Skyy Moore as the team’s X-factor for the final stretch.
“Moore’s emergence over the past month has played a crucial role in San Francisco’s special teams turnaround. He ranks fifth in the NFL in yards per kick return (28.1) and 11th in yards per punt return (12.1). He has nearly scored on one of each and has said repeatedly it’s just a matter of time until he takes one all the way. The Niners need contributions from all over the roster in order to make up for what they’ve lost to injury, so Moore could be particularly important down the stretch.”
NFL.com – The 49ers land at #8
While Kyle Shanahan deserves a ton of credit for navigating the injuries with his team and leading the 49ers to victories, Eric Edholm of NFL.com wanted to give 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh some love.
“Not taking anything away from Kyle Shanahan, but I really think Robert Saleh hasn’t received the proper praise he’s due for keeping the 49ers’ defense in the shape it’s in. After losing arguably their three most irreplaceable defenders — Nick Bosa, Fred Warner and Mykel Williams — for the season, the Niners have played far more respectably on defense than not. They might have allowed 42 points to the Rams in Week 10, but the past three 49ers opponents have only totaled 39. And so, with wins over Arizona, Carolina and Cleveland, San Francisco finds itself in prime playoff position with four games left — serving a well-deserved bye this week to get a little healthier. Brock Purdy followed up his three-INT game in Week 12 with a zero-turnover performance in the poor weather at Cleveland, as the Niners’ offense, defense and special teams all delivered big plays. All signs point toward a return to the postseason.”
CBSSports.com – The 49ers rise five spots to #9
While Mike Vrabel is the betting favorite for NFL Coach of the Year, Pete Prisco of CBS Sports advocates for Kyle Shanahan to win his first COTY award.
“Kyle Shanahan for Coach of the Year. This team, with all the injuries, is 9-4 heading to their bye. Amazing.”
Bleacher Report – The 49ers remain at #13
Gary Davenport gives the 49ers credit, but wants to remind people they keep winning games by playing complementary football.
“The San Francisco 49ers just keep winning. Granted, the Niners had help in Cleveland Sunday—from the Browns. On a day where the San Francisco offense barely cracked 250 yards of offense, a combination of turnovers and special teams consistently gave the 49ers short fields—all three of the 49ers’ touchdown drives were under 40 yards. But that’s the thing about these 49ers. Give them an opportunity, and they will take advantage of it. The team has been dealing with adversity all season long. Both sides of the ball have been ravaged by injuries—especially a defense with a patchwork front-seven that somehow continues to play well. Plenty of teams would fold under the weight of everything that has gone wrong. The 49ers will hit the bye week within half a game of first place in a brutal division. And with the Colts, Bears and Seahawks still on the schedule, San Francisco will have to be as resilient as ever down the stretch.”
Pro Football Talk – The 49ers crack the top ten from #12
Mike Florio of PFT pushed the 49ers ahead of Philadelphia and Detroit, praising the 49ers’ head coach.
“If they finish first or second in the division, Kyle Shanahan deserves serious consideration for coach of the year.”
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