Niner Noise
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NFL predictions: 3 reasons why the 49ers make the playoffs in 2018

By Peter Panacy

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 12: C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates with teammates after an 11-yard touchdownagainst the New York Giants during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on November 12, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 12: C.J. Beathard #3 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates with teammates after an 11-yard touchdownagainst the New York Giants during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on November 12, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 15: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers looks on from the sideline as they play the Washington Redskins during the second half at FedExField on October 15, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 15: Head coach Kyle Shanahan of the San Francisco 49ers looks on from the sideline as they play the Washington Redskins during the second half at FedExField on October 15, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Niner Noise goes a little bold here and comes up with three reasons why the San Francisco 49ers may actually make the NFL playoffs in 2018. Let’s break it down.

Here’s a bold take — the San Francisco 49ers make the playoffs next year.

OK, so we may all be feeling a little better about the 49ers after pulling off their first win of 2017 by beating the New York Giants 31-21 in Week 10.

And it was a nice sentiment heading into the Niners’ bye week, for sure. But the fact remains San Francisco is still a bad team. At 1-9, there’s no getting around that statement. This franchise is only going through the early stages of a long-term rebuild.

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So why the heck would we suggest the Niners had a chance to crack the postseason just over a year from now?

Well, there are some legitimate reasons why it could happen.

No, we won’t cite the whole “parity of the NFL” argument. While true, and bad teams can turn things around very quickly, there are deeper and more conclusive reasons why teams can go from two wins to 10 in just one short season.

The reality is it takes a lot of moving parts, the right context and a little bit of luck to go from a proverbial laughingstock to a legitimate playoff contender.

Yet the Niners could easily be on the verge of doing just that.

Here are three reasons why.