Niner Noise
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San Francisco 49ers: Why a fast start is mandatory to make playoffs in 2018

By Jeremy Wohlfart

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 08: George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after scoring a game tying touchdown in the fourth quarter during the game between the Indianapolis Colts and the San Francisco 49ers at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 8, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 08: George Kittle #85 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrates after scoring a game tying touchdown in the fourth quarter during the game between the Indianapolis Colts and the San Francisco 49ers at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 8, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images) /
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KANSAS CITY, MO – AUGUST 11: Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne #6 of the San Francisco 49ers is congratulated by teammates after catching a pass for a touchdown during the preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on August 11, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO – AUGUST 11: Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne #6 of the San Francisco 49ers is congratulated by teammates after catching a pass for a touchdown during the preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on August 11, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

The run home:

For the 49ers, the run home is the easiest part of the schedule.

Not easy, just easier.

Week 12: @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 13: @ Seattle Seahawks
Week 14: Denver Broncos
Week 15: Seattle Seahawks
Week 16: Chicago Bears
Week 17: @ Los Angeles Rams

The Buccaneers, Broncos and Bears are all teams capable of either fighting for playoffs or falling off the wagon, but the 49ers simply must prove themselves better than all of them to be a playoff contender. The Seattle games, within mere weeks of each other, are going to be awesome because of the Richard Sherman factor but for the first time the 49ers have more talent than their nemesis.

Namely, Russell Wilson is going to be trying to do it all himself yet again, and it’s time for the 49ers to exploit that.

Then you have the awesome finish to the regular season. Could this be a game that decides NFC West superiority? Seeing the 49ers- Rams rivalry like this again is a great thing for both teams, and for football in general.