3 reasons why SF 49ers go on hot streak after Week 11 bye
By Peter Panacy
No. 2: SF 49ers have a winnable 6 games left on the schedule
If the Niners wind up going 4-2 over their final six games on the regular season, that’ll put them at 8-8 and right on the cusp of the No. 7 seed in the NFC. Sure, they’ll have to leapfrog contending teams like the Detroit Lions (4-5), Chicago Bears (5-5) and Minnesota Vikings (4-5).
But at least San Francisco has some control over its future.
Yes, a 5-1 or even 6-0 finish would be great. Yet let’s be realistic looking at these final six contests:
- Week 12 @ Los Angeles Rams (6-3)
- Week 13 vs. Buffalo Bills (7-3)
- Week 14 vs. Washington Football Team (2-7)
- Week 15 @ Dallas Cowboys (2-7)
- Week 16 @ Arizona Cardinals (6-4)
- Week 17 vs. Seattle Seahawks (7-3)
The games against the two cellar-dwellers of the NFC, Washington and the Cowboys, are must-win contests, of course. But given how both those squads are playing, it’s probably safe enough to at least assume two SF 49ers wins for this argument right there.
Arizona is rising and playing hot football, already owning the Week 1 win over the Niners. So, perhaps, that’s chalked up to a loss.
But here’s where the hot streak starts: Week 12 against the Rams.
San Francisco already beat Los Angeles earlier this season, and Kyle Shanahan owns a 4-3 record over his division rival. Plus, to make things even more favorable for the 49ers, they’ll have the extra week of rest and preparation.
Meanwhile, the Rams play on Monday Night Football against the top-echelon Tampa Bay Buccaneers out in Florida, then have to travel back to California on the short week.
Advantage: SF 49ers.
And that leads us to where the team’s four-win hot streak needs to finish up, Week 17.