1. Jimmy Garoppolo can win a big game

Despite the San Francisco quarterback’s 18-3 career record as a starter entering Sunday’s game against New Orleans, there still were skeptics who wondered if he could win a big game. They don’t come much bigger than a matchup of two 10-2 teams with implications for the NFC’s No. 1 seed on the line. And the degree of difficulty doesn’t come much bigger than facing Drew Brees in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. But, after Brees put the Saints ahead by a point with a last-minute touchdown, Garoppolo drove the 49ers to a last-second field goal (highlighted by a Garoppolo run for a first down and a 39-yard pass to George Kittle) to win it. Garoppolo now has a signature drive and win on his resume. There never was a question that the 49ers were good. But, now that Garoppolo has shown he can win a big game, San Francisco officially is a Super Bowl contender.

Pat Yasinskas has covered the NFL since 1993. He has worked for The Tampa Tribune, The Charlotte Observer and ESPN.com and writes for numerous national magazines and websites. He also has served as a voter for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.