49ers playoff picture: Analyzing run home with Vikings, Eagles

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Brandon Aiyuk #11 of the San Francisco 49ers catches a pass while covered by Robert Alford #23 and Jalen Thompson #34 of the Arizona Cardinals (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

49ers run home

Week 16: Washington Commanders @ Levi’s Stadium
Week 17: Las Vegas Raiders @ Allegiant Stadium
Week 18: Arizona Cardinals @ Levi’s Stadium

Analysis

Starting with the 49ers, this run home doesn’t look too difficult with only one team realistically even in the playoff picture.

San Francisco plays Week 16 at home against the Washington Commanders, travels to Las Vegas to take on the Raiders and then finishes at home against the Arizona Cardinals.

The Commanders are the hardest team on this list but aren’t an especially elite team as much as just a solid outfit with an average quarterback at the helm. The 49ers would have the personnel advantage in this one, with the home crowd to boot.

The Raiders might be the dangerous game here. The 49ers-Raiders rivalry doesn’t seem the same with the latter now out of the Bay Area, but they would still love to claim the 49ers’ scalp on their own turf. The Niners would match up well against running back Josh Jacobs at least, with their No. 1-ranked rushing defense.

The Cardinals are the divisional rival standing between the 49ers and an NFC West clean sweep, and frankly, just would be happy to get the season over. They were down to their own third-string quarterback this week themselves, and Trace McSorley is no Brock Purdy, to say the least.

All in all, this is a relatively easy sweep if the Niners play to their ability each week. You can’t ever be sure, of course, but at least there’s no elite squad to face here.