Niner Noise
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5 games the 49ers must win in 2019 to make the playoffs

By Peter Panacy

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER Carlos Rogers #22 of the San Francisco 49ers tackles Chris Ogbonnaya #25 of the Cleveland Browns at Candlestick Park on October 30, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - OCTOBER Carlos Rogers #22 of the San Francisco 49ers tackles Chris Ogbonnaya #25 of the Cleveland Browns at Candlestick Park on October 30, 2011 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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49ers wide-9 defense Robert Saleh 2019
SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 07: The Arizona Cardinals line up against the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on October 7, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images) /

No. 5: Week 11 vs. Arizona Cardinals

The 49ers need to win both games against the Cardinals, of course, given the relative difference between both squads and where each is at in terms of their rebuilds.

But the Niners’ Week 11 matchup against Arizona is a bit more crucial for some notable reasons.

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For starters, the game takes place on a short week. San Francisco hosts another NFC West rival, the Seattle Seahawks, on Monday Night Football in Week 10. And while it benefits the 49ers to be staying at home both contests, the short week itself doesn’t lend any favors.

Good thing it’s against an easy opponent.

There’s another factor here, too. Week 11 marks arguably the end of the line before a very difficult stretch of games the Niners have to close out the season. San Francisco gets to host quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the revamped Green Bay Packers in Week 12, followed by back-to-back road games against two 2018 playoff teams, the Baltimore Ravens and New Orleans Saints.

Yeah, that stretch won’t be easy.

If the 49ers are in position to sniff the playoffs entering mid November, losing to the Cardinals this particular week would put a major dagger into Kyle Shanahan’s postseason plans.