The 49ers have locked up a playoff spot after clinching the NFC West in Week 15. They’re also locked into no worse than the No. 3 seed with a real shot at climbing to No. 2, and a very, very distant chance of getting up to the No. 1 spot.
Given their injury situation this year there was some speculation the 49ers could use their favorable playoff positioning as a chance to rest some starters over the final three games. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said that’s not how the team would proceed at least for the first two of the last three.
“I think that’s one of the biggest mistakes people make just watching it over the years,” Shanahan said in a press conference before Tuesday’s practice. “That’s my opinion, I would understand if you were getting ready for a seven-game series, I don’t think football is like that. It’s three and a half hours. It’s one shot. I’ve been on a lot of teams where you rest guys or give guys a few more weeks and those are usually the guys who struggle the most in that first playoff game. But I think what situations are different is like last year when it came down to our last game you have guys that are fighting to play because they’re right on the bubble of not being able to play. And in this situation those guys you would definitely rest, so anybody who has an injury that could risk them for the following week or something like that, that’s to me the decisions now that there is no decision. Definitely rest them.”
Last year the 49ers had to win their final two games to get into the playoffs. It’s why left tackle Trent Williams played on a high ankle sprain. In the same situation this year, Williams would likely sit in Week 18.
The 49ers host Washington this week before traveling to Las Vegas for Week 17. Their season finale is against the Cardinals at Levi’s Stadium.
It’ll be interesting to see how the 49ers handle that final game if they need a win to get the No. 2 seed. Shanahan indicated the club will aim for the highest seed possible, but it would certainly be enticing if they can effectively treat Week 18 like a bye before the wild card round.
One extra week would allow players dealing with some injury issues to get right before a playoff run without falling victim to the rust that comes with multiple weeks off.
Either way, the 49ers will definitely not be resting starters in the next two weeks as they aim to gear up for another deep postseason run.
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