5 biggest concerns facing 49ers entering 2020 NFL playoffs
By Peter Panacy
No. 4: “Rest vs. Rust” Argument
There is no simple answer for this. And despite the countless and well-paid research projects and tests made to look into it, there’s always the wonder just how much the 49ers’ first-round bye will affect the team entering the divisional round.
To counter, of course, this CBS Sports breakdown states how 51 percent of teams which secured the No. 1 seed ended up making the Super Bowl since 1990.
The two Wild Card teams both have percentages of less than four percent.
OK, so rest and preparation are important. But there’s an equal factor, too, as fill-in KNBR 680 morning host, and former 49ers safety, Donte Whitner pointed out after the Niners’ division-clinching win over the Seattle Seahawks in Week 17.
Whitner concluded, as probably many would, a two-week bye would be more problematic instead of just one week off.
Yet there’s always the possibility any team going through a bye starts off a little sluggish, which would be more than just slightly problematic in Round 2 of the playoffs.
Speaking of that round…