Niner Noise
FanSided

5 things 49ers must do to make playoffs this season

By Peter Panacy

DK Metcalf #14 of the Seattle Seahawks against Emmanuel Moseley #41 and Jimmie Ward #20 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
DK Metcalf #14 of the Seattle Seahawks against Emmanuel Moseley #41 and Jimmie Ward #20 of the San Francisco 49ers (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
Jessie Bates, George Kittle, Cincinnati Bengals, San Francisco 49ers
Cincinnati Bengals free safety Jessie Bates (30) tackles San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) Mandatory Credit: Imagn Images /

No. 4: 49ers must win at least 2 road games

Depending on what happens with the Rams, a 10-7 record for the 49ers might be good enough to secure the No. 5 seed, particularly if the Niners can end up sweeping the season series after already beating head coach Sean McVay’s squad at home earlier this season.

That would entail San Francisco pulling off a win at SoFI Stadium in Week 18 to close out the regular-season campaign, which would be one half of the two-game goal head coach Kyle Shanahan and Co. should have for their remaining four road contests.

Weeks 14 and 16 against the Bengals and Titans, respectively, are going to be tough challenges. Particularly with the 49ers having to travel east on a short week for the latter game on Thursday Night Football. Even with Tennessee riding a two-game losing streak entering Week 13, such a context would make the prospects for another road win slim.

Assuming the Niners are able to win their final two home games of the season in Weeks 15 and 17, getting two more on the road would push Shanahan’s record to 10-7 this season.

If two of the four would-be road losses happen against Cincy and Tennessee, San Francisco would have to beat Seattle at Lumen Field in Week 13 and Los Angeles at SoFI in Week 18.

That must be the goal.