5 49ers players who must step up over final six games of 2019
By Peter Panacy
The San Francisco 49ers hit their final six game stretch of the regular season in Week 12, and these five players need to be on point during this oh-so tough span.
The 9-1 San Francisco 49ers are far, far away from locking down a top seed in the NFC playoff picture.
Yes, the Niners still own the No. 1 overall spot in the 2019 playoff picture. But with the 8-2 Green Bay Packers coming to town in Week 12, the balance of power in the conference could shift dramatically merely with a San Francisco loss. And if the 8-2 Seattle Seahawks, who own the tiebreaker over the 49ers from their Week 10 win at San Francisco, pull off a win in Week 12 over the Philadelphia Eagles, the Niners could suddenly see themselves fall to the No. 5 seed in the NFC, should a Seahawks win combine with a 49ers loss to Green Bay.
San Francisco is hitting its toughest stretch of its schedule, first hosting the Packers before traveling to take on the two-loss Baltimore Ravens. The following week, the 49ers visit the 8-2 New Orleans Saints before coming home to take on the suddenly good Atlanta Falcons, winners of two in a row entering Week 12.
The 49ers then close out the regular season with a home bout against the Los Angeles Rams before traveling to Seattle to face the Seahawks in Week 17 — a game which could ultimately determine the NFC West winner.
Simply put, and based off what stats and numbers the Niners have posted as of late, it’s pretty clear head coach Kyle Shanahan will need to get the most from guys on his roster.
Especially these five, who need to be on point over this final six-game regular-season stretch.