Niners Nation
The Cardinals schedule does not give the 49ers much margin for error in the second half
The San Francisco 49ers return to action against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this week. The Niners had Week 9 off but dropped in the NFC playoff picture as we head into Week 10.
Here’s a look at the NFC Standings:
1. Detroit Lions (7-1)
2. Washington Commanders (7-2)
3. Atlanta Falcons (6-3)
4. Arizona Cardinals (5-4)
5. Minnesota Vikings (6-2, .472 SoV)
6. Philadelphia Eagles (6-2, .333 SoV)
7. Green Bay Packers (6-3)
8. Chicago Bears (4-4, win over LA)
9. Los Angeles Rams (4-4, win over SF, loss to CHI)
10. San Francisco 49ers (4-4, loss to LA)
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5, 4-2 NFC)
11. Seattle Seahawks (4-5, 1-4 NFC)
13. Dallas Cowboys (3-5)
14. Carolina Panthers (2-7, 1-2 NFCS, 1-4 NFC)
15. New Orleans Saints (2-7, 1-3 NFCS, 2-4 NFC)
16. New York Giants (2-7, 1-5 NFC)
The 49ers are still in relative control of the NFC West.
The Niners' second-half schedule sees them face multiple teams that are currently ahead of them in the NFC. The Bucs, Seahawks, Packers, Bears, Rams, and Cardinals will each have a say in the playoff race.
The NFC North still has a chance to send each team to the playoffs as they’re all over .500. That’s a feat that has never been done. It is still the best division in football, for my money, but it is beginning to show cracks. The Bears look hopeless and without direction. The Niners must win that game at home later in the season. I was wrong about Chicago's preseason, as I predicted they’ll not only make the playoffs but advance beyond the Wild Card.
Minnesota owns the head-to-head battle against the 49ers, which will undoubtedly play a factor two months from now. Still, the more Sam Darnold plays, the less trustworthy he gets. I don’t believe the Vikings will continue at their current pace.
Despite what we saw from Green Bay this past weekend, I still think they’re the team to beat in the division and one of the three best teams in the NFC. I’m not putting too much stock into a game in which their quarterback played on one leg and their top defensive player didn’t play.
As for the Lions, I’m waiting for somebody to push them. Jared Goff continues to play well, but Detroit isn’t asking much of him. That’ll change by necessity come playoff time. The 49ers may not be as buttoned up as the Lions are as far as playing a clean game in all three phases, but they can force the issue and get the Lions out of their comfort zone.
The New York Giants are all but eliminated at this point at 2-7 and 1-5 in the conference. The Dallas Cowboys aren’t far behind. Dak Prescott will miss a month. We could see Trey...
