3 reasons why 49ers must win tonight against the Seahawks
By John Porter
No. 2: A tougher schedule approaching
The most troubling part about the 49ers' inconsistent start to the season is the fact that this was, on paper at least, the easiest part of their schedule.
While no one could've predicted the Vikings being as good as they are, particularly after losing quarterback J.J. McCarthy during summer practices, games against the Rams, Cardinals, New York Jets and New England Patriots would've largely been considered easy pickings for a Niners team coming off a dominant 2023 regular season.
To be on the losing side of three of those games (so far) is quite troubling, and a win versus the Seahawks is vital for two reasons: It brings the team back to parity at 3-3, but it also builds some insulation for a difficult run-in.
Following tonight's game, the Niners are at home twice. Firstly, in a Super Bowl rematch against the Kansas City Chiefs (which looks like a potentially huge mismatch at this point), and then the seemingly annual grudge match against historical rival Dallas Cowboys.
While the bye week offers some respite, the second stanza of the season will see the team on the road against the Green Bay Packers, Buffalo Bills, and Tampa Bay Buccanneers, among others. It's probable the 49ers expected to be taking either a 5-1 or 6-0 record into the games against the Chiefs and Cowboys, so while being 3-3 would be poor, it'd be better than being 2-4 after tonights game.
A 2-4 Niners team going into a game against the Chiefs, then the Cowboys with the possibility of going 2-6 into the bye will likely be firmly on the outside of the playoff picture looking in.
Winning tonight, however, makes things a little rosier and possibly gives some momentum heading into the titanic matchup with KC.
Which brings me nicely to...