Monday, December 8, 2025

NFC West Outlook


 





















SF is one game back of both SEA and LA:

LA's next 2 games are against DET and SEA
SEA's next 2 games are against IND and LA
SEA beats LA and all of a sudden the 49ers have an opportunity week 18 to secure the best division record.
All while owning tie-breakers over both LA and SEA. 

These last 4 games mean everything for the 49ers. They are in control of their own destiny. I expect them to come out from this bye week focused and hungry.

57 comments:

  1. Need Rams to lose one game and the Niners win out. If Rams don't lose and Niners win out they will have the fifth position which would mean a game against either the Tampa Bay or the Panthers in the playoffs. The Niners D will be under a microscope next four games.

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    Replies
    1. At this point I doubt any NFC team will be able to rest players prior to the playoffs.

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    2. Seems this bye comes at a convenient time.

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    3. Rams getting the Lions on 10-days of rest and then going to play the Seahawks on a short week has me very hopeful as long as the 49ers handle their own business.

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  2. Razor Correct me if I'm wrong! But It looks like from your optics, you're saying Seattle has rented the basement of the outhouse, the Rams are left to wipe away the mess and Arizona is left watching the 9ers take care of business?

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  3. QB Kurtis Rourke (knee; non-football injury list) had his 21-day practice window opened.

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  4. Robert Saleh’s defense vs:

    Cam Ward(59%, 9TD/7INT)
    Riley Leonard(62%, 0TD/1INT)
    Caleb Williams(57%, 19TD/6-INT)
    Sam Darnold(68%, 22TD/11 INT)

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  5. 21 first-round grades in the 2026 NFL Draft:

    1. Arvell Reese
    2. Rueben Bain Jr.
    3. Jeremiyah Love
    4. Caleb Downs
    5. Fernando Mendoza
    6. Sonny Styles
    7. Jordyn Tyson
    8. Carnell Tate
    9. Dante Moore
    10. Peter Woods
    11. Mansoor Delane
    12. Makai Lemon
    13. Jermod McCoy
    14. Olaivavega Ioane
    15. Spencer Fano
    16. Kenyon Sadiq
    17. Keldric Faulk
    18. Francis Mauigoa
    19. Caleb Lomu
    20. Caleb Banks
    21. KC Concepcion

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    Replies
    1. Who is that according to?

      Not surprised to see Banks already getting round 1 grades, despite the injury. Doubt he's there for the 49ers.

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    2. Combo of analysts from PFF, ESPN and the NYTimes.

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    3. Good one. I think the 49ers will find themselves in a good spot to add a WR in round 1. Won't be one of the top guys, but looks to me like there will be good late round 1/ early round 2 value at the position this draft.

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    4. I agree Scooter. Shanahan should have his choice and given his interest in trading up for McMillan, a wr I hadn't thought he'd have real interest in that high, I gotta conclude he's looking for a similar prototype.

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    5. Denzel Boston would fit that type.

      Long, smooth routes, shown he can run a lot of the routes Shanny wants, excellent in the 10-25 yard area, particularly on in breaking routes, return skills, highly competitive at the catch point.

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    6. Yep, I think you might be on to something with Boston.

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    7. We also know how much Lynch loves his NFL bloodlines too!🩸

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    8. Is he David's son? I wondered if he might be.

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    9. Nice! I thought based on his headshot their was a resemblance. Different body type though!

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  6. Luke Gifford is currently 2nd in the NFL with 16 special teams tackles and is on pace for a Pro Bowl selection.

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  7. Toughest schedule this year (so far) by average DVOA of opponent:

    1 Cardinals 9.3%
    2 Titans 9.3%
    3 Texans 8.5% (!!!)
    4 49ers 4.6%
    5 Eagles 4.5%

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    Replies
    1. Basically, NFC West and AFC South, two of the strongest divisions, faced each other.

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  8. LB Eric Kendricks said he watched more football this year than ever as he weighed options on where to continue playing. Why SF?

    "This team was special," Kendricks said. "Even with all the adversity they faced, they seem to just fight. And it was inspiring to watch."

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  9. The 49ers claimed LB Garret Wallow off waivers from the Broncos, per Pelissero.

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  10. Interesting matchup tonight:

    Greg Roman vs. Vic Fangio

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  11. Colts flying in Phillip Rivers for a workout.

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    Replies
    1. Dude became a grandfather recently for crying out loud!
      This is literally elder abuse. SMH.

      Anthony Richardson remains on injured reserve after sustaining an orbital fracture while warming up prior to a game earlier this season. A pole that was attached to a stretch band snapped and impacted Richardson around his eye.

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    2. Purdy need 9 more kids to catch Rivers!👶🏻

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    3. Yeah... the Rivers Family has their own football team. Good for them... Lol!

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  12. Potential Week 14 scenarios:

    5th seed: Win + LAR loss to DET OR SEA loss to IND
    2nd seed: Win + LAR loss + SEA loss
    1st seed: Win + LAR loss + SEA loss + GB loss to DEN

    They'd drop to 7 seed with a loss + CHI win but can't drop out this week

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  13. It's not just that the Niners finished 29th in this category in 2024 (25.6 points allowed per game), this defense (20.7). That's good enough for 8th place. Probably the single biggest reason why Niners are heading towards the playoffs.

    I think this defense needs to get stronger.

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  14. The Colts are signing Rivers per Pat McAffee. If it's active roster and not practice squad his HOF meter will reset 5 years.

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  15. The 49ers have signed WR Javon Baker to the practice squad, per Fowler. I thought he was a fit coming out.

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    Replies
    1. Yeah, he was a guy I really liked in the draft. Obviously not worked out for him so far

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  16. 49ers release Adrian Martinez off of the P.S. I wonder if that means they will activate Kurtis Rourke to the P.S. Would he have to pass waivers to be placed on the P.S.? I would hate to lose him to one of the bottom feeders who could place him on their active roster.

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    1. Moving Rourke to the practice squad is not likely to be an option because the 49ers would first have to waive him. That likely is not a chance the 49ers would be willing to take. -MM

      I think he reverts back to IR even if he is healthy.

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    2. Either Shanshan or Lynch has previously said they just wanted to open Rourke's window at some point to allow him to get a few weeks of practice this season, but was highly unlikely to actually come off IR.

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  17. In his most recent mock draft, released on December 10, 2025, Field Yates projected the 49ers to select defensive tackle Caleb Banks from Florida with the 26th overall pick in the first round.😂😁😂

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    Replies
    1. Would be a good pick imo if it happens. But still think WR is more likely. Also think the scarcity of top DTs in the draft could mean Banks goes top 20.

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  18. The 49ers have signed CB Isaiah Bolden to the practice squad.

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  19. I wonder what the Jets would be willing to give the 49ers for their 1st rd pick (giving them 3, 1st rd picks) in a trade.

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  20. Bethune, Martin and Sam O not practicing today

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  21. With the first 2025 college playoffs beginning Dec 19th, the following players are on my watch list. * = first choice
    RD #1, Pick # 24
    * Denzel Boston WR Washington: 6'4" X 209
    Chris Bell WR Louisville: 6'2" X 220
    Kayden McDonald DT Ohio St. 6'3" X 326
    Daylen Everette CB Georgia, 6'1" X 190 40 = 4.34 INT = 1

    RD #2, Pick # 56
    * Austin Barber OT Florida, 6'6" X 314
    Trevor Goosby OT Texas, 6'7" X 312
    Dillon Thieneman S Oregon, 6'0" X 205 40 = 4.35 INT = 2
    A'Mauri Washington DT Oregon, 6'3" X 330

    RD #3, pick #88
    * Davison Igbinosun CB Ohio St. 6'2" X 195 40 = 4.34 INT = 2
    Zakee Wheatley S Penn St., 6'2" X 200
    Harold Perkins WLB LSU, 6'1" X 222

    Rd #4, Picks # 124, #136, #139, #140
    * Nick Singleton RB Penn St., 6'0" X 224 40 = 4.39 TD's = 13
    * Cayden Green IOL Missouri, 6'5" X 324
    * Harold Perkins WLB LSU, 6'1" X 222 40 = 4.45 sacks =4
    * Kenyatta Jackson EDGE Ohio St., 6'6" X 265 sacks = 6.5
    Zachariah Branch WR Georgia, 5'10" X 180 40 = 4.35s
    Logan Jones C Iowa, 6'3" X 304 40 = 4.95


    Dillon Thieneman S Oregon, 6'0" X 205 Oregon

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    Replies
    1. Louisville’s Chris Bell suffered a torn ACL in a game at SMU on Nov. 22, per Pete Thamel. Field Yates projected Bell as a first-round pick.

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    2. Ah man, that's rotten luck for Bell. Be interesting to see how much that drops him.

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    3. Bell is a guy I really like. He's a combination of AJ Brown and Deebo. With his recent injury perhaps he drops to the 3rd rd.

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    4. Sorry to hear Chris Bell tore his ACL. After all the work he put in to be in a position to become a 1st round pick, then lose it.

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  22. Niners have converted 81 of 168 3rd down attempts this season (48.2%). That’s the second best rate in the NFL (only Packers are better).

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  23. Niners have converted 81 of 168 3rd down attempts this season (48.2%). That’s the second best rate in the NFL (only Packers are better).

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  24. Feliciano, "The offense is about to start exploding for 30-40 points a game. And the defense, these young guys are really stepping up." 📈
    He thinks the Niners are "100%" set up to move through the playoffs 👀

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  25. From what I have seen, the best value to need match I think we are likely to see for the 49ers in round 1 will be at WR or edge.

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  26. PFF has rated the Niners defensive line at 28, they have four games remaining to make the adjustments needed to go into the playoffs.

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NFC West Outlook

  SF is one game back of both SEA and LA: LA's next 2 games are against DET and SEA SEA's next 2 games are against IND and LA SEA be...