With four weeks remaining in the season, the 10-3 San Francisco 49ers are the only team that has already guaranteed a postseason spot. They are playing the best complementary football in the league and easily defeated the Philadelphia Eagles, who were once the NFC’s top seed.
Despite having a bye week following a solid road victory in Pittsburgh, the Cardinals have lost their last three games against their NFC West rivals. This could improve their chances.Head coach Jonathan Gannon stated he was watching their next opponent on their only Sunday off of the season.
Indeed, to some extent. There, I believe I had to catch a few quarters,” Gannon remarked. “Yes, we watched it for a little while, but I was cooking Sunday sauce, so that (had) my attention.”
With one trip to the Super Bowl, San Francisco has seen three NFC title games in the previous four seasons and is expected to again mount a strong postseason push.
They constantly knock on the door and are a consistent winner. By that measure, yes, that’s what you’re looking for, as they put themselves in a position to have a chance to play meaningful football in late January,” Gannon remarked.
“Obviously, since [49ers General Manager] John Lynch and [49ers Head Coach] Kyle Shanahan have been there, they’ve built it the right way. They had a couple of down years just to start, but then they got it going and they’re a really good football team; their record shows it. When you watch the tape, all three phases jump out to you. They’ve got good players, they’re well coached, and they win games–and that’s what everybody in the NFL is trying to do.”
“Obviously, since [49ers General Manager] John Lynch and [49ers Head Coach] Kyle Shanahan have been there, they’ve built it the right way. They had a couple of down years just to start, but then they got it going and they’re a really good football team; their record shows it. When you watch the tape, all three phases jump out to you. They’ve got good players, they’re well coached, and they win games–and that’s what everybody in the NFL is trying to do.”
Arizona wants to become a bump on San Francisco’s Super Bowl route. In their three victories this season, the Cardinals have upset teams, and maybe a fourth is in the works at State Farm Stadium.
