The 49ers should cruise to their first playoff berth since 2013. The only thing standing in their way is a 4-9 Atlanta Falcons team that enters Levi’s Stadium as 11.5-point underdogs.
With back-to-back divisional games against the Rams and Seahawks looming, it stands to reason the Falcons could be a trap game. Matt Ryan is a prolific passer and Julio Jones is arguably the most physically gifted wide receiver in the league. With Grady Jarrett clogging the middle and Vic Beasley rushing from the outside, the Falcons have the talent to cause problems for a team napping. They’ve already knocked off the Saints in New Orleans.
That is not to say the Falcons are good. Two of their four wins are against the struggling Carolina Panthers in the last four weeks, and they topped the Eagles early in the season. They’re also in the bottom half of nearly every statistical category.
This is a game the 49ers should roll in. The 11.5-point line indicates sportsbooks think they’ll roll too.
San Francisco has managed to avoid falling into trap games all year. They’ve taken care of business against lesser teams and kept a mindset that allows them to not overlook teams below them in the standings. It stands to reason that’ll continue to be the case in Week 15.
The 49ers are back home after a two-game East Coast swing and facing a team that’s not playing for anything. A playoff berth should be enough to entice the 49ers to win and win soundly. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the line moves up toward 13 by kickoff, and even then the 49ers should have no problem covering.