Race for the nfc west and the #1 seed

Originally posted by mitpdub:

I'm still wishing in our game a free weeks ago in OT we played for at worse the tie. I think KS learned a lot from it, but I don't want it to haunt us.

Originally posted by fryet:

Remember the stat that pointed out that the team with the longest unbeaten streak does not usually win the Super Bowl? I would like to suggest that one of the reasons, is that the team that only plays weaker teams due to strength of schedule or rarely has a close game is not emotionally prepared for the challenges that they will face in the playoffs. Also, consider that the 49er team is young, and for most of their players has next to no playoff experience. They don't know what the playoffs are like - but in fact, they actually do, due to the schedule that they faced. They have already faced 3 of the other 5 teams that will most likely make the playoffs (4 if the Rams make it).

Against Seahawks - This was a playoff atmosphere game. The Seahawks came ready to play. Even though they had a poorly ranked defense, they were near unstoppable. The emotion in that game was extreme. Game went to overtime, and Seahawks win with a FG as OT time expired. The 49ers played a close match until the end.
Green Bay - Very strong offensive team, that was humbled by the 49ers in a blowout. Defense carried the day.
Baltimore - Likely team to be the AFC representative in the Super Bowl. 49ers played them to the final seconds, once again losing to a FG.
Saints - Defense failed them, but they matched Brees score for score, winning a shoot out with a field goal of their own as time expired.

The 49ers can win games with their defense. They can win games with their offense. The running game can blow out opponents with JG as game manager, or he can take the team on his back and throw 4 TD. The Packers, Ravens, Saints three game stretch is the most brutal late game stretch that a team has ever faced, 2 on the road, and the 49ers went 2-1. It should be noted that they basically went through a playoff run during that 3 game stretch. The next 3 game stretch that they will face like that will be the playoffs, and it won't be anything new.

It should be noted that playing Baltimore may pay huge Super Bowl dividends. Remember when Patriots were going through their unbeaten season? Late in the season they faced the NY Giants and beat them. However, they faced them again in the SB and lost. The Giants learned from their loss and were ready to take on the Patriots in the next game. It is also why the Cardinals play us so tough even though they lose most of their games. The more you play the same team, the more you understand them and their weaknesses. However, Baltimore has a big weakness in that their offense depends so greatly on Lamar Jackson. Everyone was saying before that game that you can't practice on defending Lamar Jackson, he is too fast. However, now that the 49ers have played against him, they won't be so surprised by his speed when they face him again.

This isn't a young team any more. They are now battle tested, and ready for anything they see in the playoffs.

Originally posted by Fresno49er:

Originally posted by trogdor:
I think you're probably right, week 17 will probably decide the division and a bye...should make for a great game.

Originally posted by Ensatsu:

Real talk though, I legitimately do not understand why the Niners can't dominate Seattle the way that the Rams do. Even when Jeff Fisher was coaching there, they find a way to dominate Wilson.

What are we doing wrong? Why do we always f**king lose to them. They're just in our heads too much. I sincerely hope that the Week 17 matchup doesn't determine the seeding.

Originally posted by Kolohe:
Awww the Seahawks thought they were #1 in the NFC, oh that's so cute.

Originally posted by 49er-from-Yavin-IV:

Even if it's been 20 years, every team remembers who dominated the league in the 80's and 90's and wants to beat the king despite 20 years of mostly suckage. With that thought process Seattle has mostly dominated us since the divisions were reorganized in 2002 and we became a bad organization. That is changing now, but teams still play us as if we were still the king the whole time, instead of trying to be the king again.

Originally posted by hondakillerzx:

i still think Seattle drops one to Arizona or the Panthers. if they do and we are up two games it brings up an interesting scenario. do we rest starters and let a mortal rival get a win on us goin into the playoffs or leave everyone out there, pound them into dust and risk injuries?

Originally posted by golfish:

Originally posted by trogdor:
I think you're probably right, week 17 will probably decide the division and a bye...should make for a great game.

The @ Panthers (5-8) and the vs Cardinals (3-9-1) are going to be much easier for the Seahawks than what we have, but the 9ers have proven to me that it wont matter. I think Shanahan will out coach Carroll.