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While the 49ers’ 2020 season hasn’t gone according to plan, they still find themselves in the thick of the playoff race entering a Week 10 showdown with the New Orleans Saints.
An additional playoff team gives teams like San Francisco a chance to rally after a rocky start and push their way into the tournament. That’s why, even despite their struggles following a Super Bowl appearance just nine months ago, the 49ers’ season isn’t over just yet.
Here’s what the NFC playoff picture looks like with Week 9’s action wrapped up:
Playoff seeds
1. Saints (6-2) [NFC South leader]
2. Seahawks (6-2) [NFC West leader]
3. Packers (6-2) [NFC North leader]
4. Eagles (3-4-1) [NFC East leader]
5. Buccaneers (6-3)
6. Cardinals (5-3)
7. Rams (5-3)
In the hunt
8. Bears (5-4)
9. 49ers (4-5)
10. Vikings (3-5)
11. Lions (3-5)
The good news for San Francisco is of their seven remaining games, four are against teams ahead of them in the playoff race. If they do wind up making a push, they’re going to have earned it.
Health will be a key factor in whether the 49ers can put together the kind of run they’ll need to be a problem in the postseason race. If they can win three of the four games against those NFC playoff teams, it puts them in an excellent position to push in as the seventh seed.