Keys to 49ers Avoiding Early NFL Playoff Exit
The San Francisco 49ers have the look of a team capable of making a deep run in the NFC postseason.
San Francisco has not lost since October 23 and it is line to land the No. 2 seed, at minimum, with a win over the Arizona Cardinals in Week 18.
The 49ers could be the No. 1 seed with a win and a Philadelphia Eagles loss to the New York Giants.
Kyle Shanahan's team needs to keep up the same consistency it displayed over the last two months to avoid an early exit at the hands of one of the three NFC wild-card teams.
The consistency starts with Christian McCaffrey and a defense that allowed one 100-yard rushing game since the Week 7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Christian McCaffrey
1 of 3
Christian McCaffrey's performance is one of the major keys for the 49ers to make a deep run.
San Francisco acquired the running back to be its difference-maker in the postseason, and his importance to the offense grew when Brock Purdy took over at quarterback.
McCaffrey is coming off one of his best games as a 49er. He had 121 rushing yards and 72 receiving yards against the Las Vegas Raiders.
The former Carolina Panthers running back has three 100-yard rushing performances in his last four games, as well as two six-catch games in that stretch.
The 49ers offense could go as far as McCaffrey takes it depending on how certain postseason games go.
If he is not effective, the 49ers will have to rely on Purdy to win games on his own through the passing game.
Consistency from Brock Purdy
2 of 3
Brock Purdy has surpassed expectations since he took over the starting quarterback job.
The rookie out of Iowa State threw for over 200 yards in each of the last three games. He has multiple touchdown passes in each of his last five contests.
Purdy has been a model of consistency in a spot where some reserve quarterbacks would fail to put up any solid results.
The 49ers need Purdy to continue to be his composed self in the pocket to deal with any of the challenges thrown in his direction.
Purdy's poise 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 an NFC title.
Win the Battle Against Opposing Running Backs
3 of 3
The biggest threat to the 49ers defense from any potential wild-card round opponents comes on the ground.
Kenneth Walker, the Detroit pair of D'Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams and the Green Bay duo of Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon are tough matchups for any opponent at this stage of the season.
San Francisco did not allow a team to run for over 100 yards from Weeks 8-16. Josh Jacobs helped end that streak in Week 17, as the Las Vegas Raiders ran for 135 yards.
Las Vegas' success against the 49ers' front seven may just be an outlier, but it springs up a small bit of concern because that is one way to beat the 49ers.
Any one of Seattle, Detroit or Green Bay could slow down the pace to match what San Francisco does offensively.
The New York Giants could do the same thing if the 49ers fall into the No. 3-versus-No. 6 matchup with a loss and a Minnesota Vikings win.
The 49ers rushing defense needs to be strong to take away the strength of any opponent and allow the McCaffrey-led offense to dictate the tempo.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
