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49ers key to avoid early exit from NFL playoffs
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Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images
The San Francisco 49ers look like a team that could do well in the NFC postseason.
San Francisco hasn’t lost since October 23rd. Arizona in Week 18. He could win at least the No. 2 seed if he beats the Cardinals.
The 49ers could become the No. 1 seed if the Philadelphia Eagles beat and lose to the New York Giants.
Kyle Shanahan’s team will have to maintain the same consistency they’ve shown over the past two months to avoid an early exit by one of the three NFC wildcard teams.
Consistency starts with Christian McCaffrey and a defense that allowed one 100-yard rushing game since their Week 7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Christian McCaffrey
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Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images
Christian McCaffrey’s performance is one of the key keys to the 49ers achieving a deep run.
San Francisco acquired a running back to make the difference in the postseason, and his importance to the offense increased when Brock Purdy took over as quarterback.
McCaffrey is finishing one of his best games as a 49er. He had 121 rushing yards and he had 72 receiving yards against the Las Vegas Raiders.
The former Carolina Panthers running back has had three 100-yard rushing performances in his last four games, with two six-catch games in between.
The 49ers offense could go as far as McCaffrey takes, depending on how certain postseason games go.
If he’s ineffective, the 49ers will have to rely on Purdy to win the game on their own through the passing game.
Block Purdy Consistency
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Brock Purdy has exceeded expectations since taking over the starting quarterback job.
The Iowa native has thrown for over 200 yards in each of his last three games. He has had his passes for multiple touchdowns in each of his last five contests.
Purdy has been a model for consistency where some reserve quarterbacks have failed to deliver solid results.
The 49ers need Purdy to remain his sober self in the pocket to meet the challenges thrown in his direction.
Purdy’s composure in the pocket will be tested by any of the 49ers’ potential opponents. If he extends that consistency into the postseason, the 49ers should be able to ride him to a few wins and challenge for the NFC title.
Win a fight against an enemy running back
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Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images
The biggest threat to the 49ers’ defense from potential wildcard round opponents is on the ground.
Kenneth Walker, the Detroit pair of Dandre Swift and Jamal Williams, and the Green Bay duo of Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon are tough matchups for any opponent at this stage of the season.
San Francisco did not allow teams to run more than 100 yards from Weeks 8 through 16. Josh Jacobs helped Las Vegas his Raiders end that streak in Week 17 as he ran for 135 yards.
The Las Vegas 49ers’ success against the front 7 might just be an outlier, but it raises a bit of concern because that’s one way to beat the 49ers.
Either Seattle, Detroit or Green Bay could slow their pace to do the same as San Francisco does aggressively.
The New York Giants could do the same if the 49ers fell to 3-3. Six matchups with losses and wins for the Minnesota Vikings.
The 49ers’ rushing defense needs to be strong to take away strength from their opponents and allow the McCaffrey-led offense to dictate the tempo.
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