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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SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 21: Raheem Mostert #31 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes with the ball against Cory Littleton #58 of the Los Angeles Rams during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – OCTOBER 21: Raheem Mostert #31 of the San Francisco 49ers rushes with the ball against Cory Littleton #58 of the Los Angeles Rams during their NFL game at Levi’s Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

No. 1: Week 16 vs. Los Angeles Rams

Remember how Week 17 is a must-win game against the Seahawks?

Well, it’s the exact same scenario against the NFC champions, the Los Angeles Rams.

Yes, the Niners have a few more wins, recently, against L.A. than they do Seattle. But the Rams, despite losing in the Super Bowl to the New England Patriots in embarrassing fashion and going through a pretty large turnover of players this offseason, are still the guys to beat within the NFC West.

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And San Francisco didn’t look good against head coach Sean McVay’s squad in both contests last season.

At all.

It’s possible, perhaps likely, the Rams suffer some sort of post-Super Bowl regression in 2019, potentially opening up the door for teams like the 49ers and/or Seahawks to make a legitimate run at a divisional crown.

With a Week 17 road game against the Seahawks looming, this Week 16 home game against the Rams becomes even more crucial, given the Niners’ history of late in Seattle and the prospects for a San Francisco playoff push.

Next. 49ers' 5 most important defensive players in 2019. dark

Simply put, losing back-to-back games against divisional opponents to close out the year would likely end any 49ers playoff bid this season.