The San Francisco 49ers' 2024 season has not gone as planned. Sitting at 5-6 and in last place in the NFC West, the team is reeling after a 38-10 blowout loss to the Green Bay Packers.
The 49ers have been plagued by injuries, with key players such as quarterback Brock Purdy, left tackle Trent Williams, and defensive end Nick Bosa sidelined during the Packers game. Quarterback Brandon Allen started in Purdy's absence as the third-year signal-caller recovers from a shoulder injury.
Despite their fading playoff hopes, the 49ers remain optimistic. With Purdy's availability uncertain for Sunday night's game against the surging Buffalo Bills, wide receiver Deebo Samuel expressed confidence in the team's ability to compete, regardless of who starts under center.
"Yeah, we can win any game for sure," Samuel recently said on his Cleats and Convos podcast, per Michael Hanich of NFL Analysis Network. "We don't want to be without the quarterback who's been on this long run with us, but at the end of the day, this is what comes with the game. I think we can stack wins. If we have to do without, we are capable. Still a lot of talent."
Sunday's game at Highmark Stadium feels like a must-win for the 49ers, whose postseason aspirations are hanging by a thread. Despite their record, Samuel believes the struggling squad can quickly turn things around.
"There's just a lot of stuff to reflect on this year, with us being 5-6," Samuel said. "Not having the season we want to have, for sure. But at the end of the day, we're still kind of where we want to be. I think we win the next two games against division opponents [against the Los Angeles Rams on Dec. 12 and the Arizona Cardinals on Jan. 5 or Jan. 6], we'll be right at the top."
Beating the Bills, however, won't be easy. Buffalo enters the game at 9-2, riding a six-game winning streak, including a statement victory over the previously unbeaten Kansas City Chiefs.
