Niners Nation
Here’s what to watch and root for in Week 9 of the NFL
There are seven playoff spots up for grabs in both conferences. Well, seven is the number, but Kansas City and Detroit are locks. The 49ers are enjoying their bye week, but what should 49ers fans be rooting for on Sunday?
The team is tied for first in the NFC West but, due to tiebreakers, sits behind Arizona for the division lead. If the playoffs started today, the 49ers would be on the outside, looking in. It’s a good thing the postseason doesn’t start today.
NFL.com’s playoff probability percentage (try saying that three times fast) for the 49ers is 58 percent. That number is higher than Arizona’s, which sits in the fourth seed at 35 percent and falls to 23 percent with a loss on Sunday. The Cardinals’ Week 9 opponent is the Bears, and Chicago is currently the eighth seed with a playoff probability of 19 percent. A loss to Arizona drops that number to 12 percent. A win over the Cardinals raises the Bears’ chances to 27 percent.
Just ahead of the 49ers is Tampa Bay, the first opponent out of their bye week. The Bucs’ playoff probability percentage is 48 percent but will fall to 42 percent with a loss to Kansas City. Spoiler alert: Kansas City will have another week to integrate Deandre Hopkins, and facing the Bucs’ weak defense will put up 40.
Detroit faces Green Bay with the Lions at 93 percent, and a win pushes them to 97 percent. A loss drops them to 90 percent, with Green Bay going from 70 percent to 83 percent. If the Lions win, the Packers fall to 62 percent.
What about the other two NFC West teams? Unfortunately, Seattle and Los Angeles can’t both lose (although a tie would be objectively hilarious). The Rams sit at 18 percent, with Seattle at 21 percent. A loss for the Rams drops them to 9 percent, and a loss for the Seahawks drops them to 12 percent.
