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.