The San Francisco 49ers have some breathing room atop the NFC West after they shutout the New Orleans Saints in a 13-0 victory in Week 12.
San Francisco’s fourth successive win marked the franchise’s first shutout since a 2019 triumph over Washington. That season ended with the Niners contesting the Super Bowl and, while the offense was unconvincing, the continuation of a hot streak in which the 49ers have found various ways to win will breed further confidence they can return to that stage.
Having improved to 7-4, the 49ers hold a one-game lead over the Seattle Seahawks, who lost in overtime to the Las Vegas Raiders. With San Francisco holding the head-to-head edge over Seattle following their Week 2 matchup, the 49ers theoretically have some room for error.
The 49ers, though, will be eager to press home advantage, but what did we learn about the team after they took another step towards a third postseason trip in four years.