San Francisco 49ers: How Jim Harbaugh's Squad Can Claim No. 1 Seed in NFC

The San Francisco 49ers are in great shape heading into the bye week, but does Jim Harbaugh's team have what it takes to take the next step and claim the No. 1 seed in the NFC?

With a record of 6-2 at the midseason mark, the 49ers are currently sitting at No. 4 in the NFC behind the Atlanta Falcons (7-0), Chicago Bears (6-1) and New York Giants (6-2).

As well as the Falcons and Bears are playing these days, it's not inconceivable that the 49ers might have to win out the rest of the way to claim the top spot in the NFC, giving them a 14-2 record. With that as our compass, let's take a look at what the 49ers have to do to win every single game left on their schedule. 

Week 10: St. Louis Rams

Key to the Game

Establish the Running Game

Since this game is at home and given the fact that the St. Louis Rams don't have an explosive offense, it's imperative that the 49ers keep the Rams' pass-rushers at bay and win the turnover battle. 

The best way to do this is by establishing a strong running game. Alex Smith is an incredibly accurate and efficient passer when the offense is being led by the run, but when the onus is on Smith to do the heavy lifting, the offensive line breaks down and turnovers inevitably ensue. 

The Rams have an excellent front four that love to get after quarterbacks. They have a talented secondary led by Cortland Finnegan that can take an errant throw to the house for six in a heartbeat.

Make sure Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter get at least 30 rushes between them, and this game is gravy. 

Week 11: Chicago Bears

Key to the Game

Make Jay Cutler's Life a Living Hell

This game promises to be one of the most challenging matchups of the year for both teams. 

The Chicago Bears feature a defense that rivals the one 49ers fans see on a weekly basis, and 20 points will probably win the game. 

Jay Cutler has been up and down this season. His worst showings have come as a result of tremendous pass-rushing efforts by the Green Bay Packers (seven sacks), Detroit Lions (five sacks) and Carolina Panthers (six sacks). 

In those three contests, Cutler threw three touchdowns and five interceptions.

Aldon Smith, Ahmad Brooks, Justin Smith and the rest of the men in the trenches need to make sure Cutler hits the deck on a consistent basis. If they do, the 49ers will win.  

Week 12: @ New Orleans Saints

Key to the Game

Create Turnovers On Defense, Turn Them Into Points On Offense

Drew Brees is going to get his—especially at home. 

He's going to light up the secondary for plenty of yardage, unless the 49ers' front seven puts him on his back all game long. Since that's not what we've seen from this team so far in 2012, we shouldn't expect it to suddenly be the norm. 

The 49ers' secondary needs to be sharp and take advantage of the rare mistakes Brees makes, unlike what we saw against Eli Manning and the New York Giants. 

If the 49ers can force Brees into two or three turnovers, and if Alex Smith and the offense can turn those into points, they'll win the game. 

Week 13: @ St. Louis Rams

Key to the Game

Keep Alex Smith Clean in the Pocket

The St. Louis Rams have an excellent young defensive line capable of devastating quarterbacks. 

If Alex Smith starts getting hammered early in the game, he's liable to start getting shifty in the pocket and make a couple costly mistakes. 

As it is every game for this team, establishing the run is the key. Smith can't hand off every time, and it's imperative that his line keeps him clean in the pocket so he doesn't make hasty throws and decisions. 

Cortland Finnegan and Janoris Jenkins are ball hawks, and it won't take much of a hiccup in timing or accuracy for one of them to take it back to the house. 

Week 14: Miami Dolphins

Key to the Game

49ers' Receivers Must Come Up Big

The Miami Dolphins play nails tough defense against the run. This team is ranked No. 3 in rushing yards allowed (82 yards per game). 

There's a good chance Frank Gore, Kendall Hunter and the 49ers run game will have a showing similar to the one we saw on Monday Night Football against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 8 (113 yards on 29 carries, 3.9 yards per carry and zero touchdowns). 

This means that Alex Smith and his receivers need to come up big. Thankfully, the Dolphins defense isn't adept at stopping opponents' passing attacks, and if the 49ers can make plays in the air, they'll win. 

Week 15: @ New England Patriots

Key to the Game

Have a Perfect Game Plan and Execute Perfectly

The picture of Alex Smith celebrating captures the moment when he stuck that throw to Vernon Davis in the NFC divisional game against the New Orleans Saints to win the game. 

That's the kind of perfection this team needs to beat the New England Patriots. 

When the Pats are on, they're darn-near unbeatable—especially at home. More than likely, it's going to take a season-defining performance from the 49ers to win. 

Week 16: @ Seattle Seahawks

Key to the Game

Run the Ball, Stop the Run

Get ready for bloodbath No. 2. 

The first time these two teams met, the 49ers made a few more plays than the Seattle Seahawks did and hammered out a win at home, 13-6.

The 12th man awaits in Week 16, and it's no cakewalk winning up in Seattle. 

Frank Gore has only cracked 100 yards twice in his career against the Seahawks in Seattle, but the 49ers need him to come close to that mark if they have any hope of conjuring a victory. The Seahawks' secondary is absolutely deadly at home, and Alex Smith and the passing attack will have a rough go of it. 

Furthermore, the 49ers defense must contain Marshawn Lynch and Robert Turbin in the running game and force the Seahawks offense to become one dimensional—easier said than done. 

The 49ers barely escaped with a 19-17 victory last season, and it's likely to be a similar score that wins this one. 

Week 17: Arizona Cardinals

Key to the Game

Don't Give Up Big Plays 

The Arizona Cardinals offensive line is so horrendous that this game shouldn't be much of a contest—much like what we saw on Monday Night Football in Week 8. 

Without a running game to speak of, the only chance the Cardinals have of beating the 49ers at Candlestick Park is if John Skelton, Kevin Kolb or whichever quarterback is behind center at the time manages to connect on a few big plays downfield for touchdowns. 

The secondary must have a solid game, but if the players execute and play with proper discipline, the outcome of this game should never be in doubt. 

Conclusion

Will the 49ers win out the rest of the way in 2012? 

Probably not. 

Staying 100 percent focused every week is a tough task, and we've already seen this team fail to do so, with uncharacteristic showings against the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings—games that the team really didn't show up for. 

Every game on the schedule is legitimately winnable, and if any team has the talent, leadership and attitude to do it, it's the 49ers. Of course, it's going to take good fortune on the injury front, too, as it does every year. 

Jim Harbaugh's men have what it takes to win the No. 1 seed in the NFC.

Now, it's time to sit forward, bite your nails and try not to throw things at your TV.  

The second half of the 2012 season is calling. 

Follow me on Twitter @JesseReed78 and check out my weekly NFL picks at Pickfactor.com