3 ways 49ers ensure Falcons don’t upset them in Week 15

The 49ers probably need two more wins in 2021 to reach the playoffs, and beating the Falcons in Week 15 has to be a top priority.

The San Francisco 49ers have four games remaining to both ensure they clinch a playoff berth and to rise as high as they possibly can in the seeding.

After knocking off the Cincinnati Bengals in a thrilling but also nerve-wracking overtime game in Week 14, head coach Kyle Shanahan’s attention now turns to the visiting 6-7 Atlanta Falcons, which is one of two very-winnable games the Niners have remaining on their 2021 regular-season schedule.

At 7-6, San Francisco currently sits in the No. 6 seed in the NFC playoff picture. As noted on a recent edition of the Niner Noise Podcast, nine wins is probably enough to ensure the 49ers a Wild Card spot.

So, simply enough, it’s a pretty safe measure to assume the Niners should look at their Week 15 home bout against the Falcons not necessarily as a must-win game. But more of a “you better win this game if you know what’s good for you” kind of matchup.

In 2019, quarterback Matt Ryan and the Falcons spoiled what was a late-season push for San Francisco to clinch both the No. 1 seed in the conference and the NFC West, which ultimately happened anyway the final week of the season.

To avoid that kind of pitfall, especially with a playoff berth not quite guaranteed, the 49ers would be wise to ensure they do these three things to bypass any concerns about Week 15 turning into yet another trap-game loss.