It's not news to the Niner Faithful, but the San Francisco 49ers are not in contention for a playoff berth. However, the three teams they will face to close out the 2017 season are potential playoff teams.
On Sunday, the 49ers will host the Tennessee Titans, who are currently the fifth seed in the AFC playoff picture, at Levi's Stadium. San Francisco will follow that up by hosting the Jacksonville Jaguars, who are the third seed in the AFC playoff picture. The 49ers will close out the season by traveling to face the Los Angeles Rams, who are positioned third in the NFC playoff picture.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke to the media before practice on Wednesday and shared what it means to end the season against that kind of competition.
"I do think it's a neat challenge right now," Shanahan said. "We're going against three teams who are all playing for their playoff lives, and I think if anyone's ever been in that situation, you get the intensity that picks up in those types of buildings. And that's the goal for our team.
"I want that not to matter. I want us to be as intense as we can every single possible game, whether you're playing for the playoffs, you're in the playoffs, or it's the first game of the year. I don't want there to be a difference, but I also think it's a good challenge for our team this week to know what we're getting from these three teams in a row. And also, I'd like for us to look at it the same way.
"Hopefully, we plan on being in this situation next year, and I'd like that not to just be the first time we have that feeling, I'd like us to feel like that now and treat it that way."
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo also shared his thoughts on finishing the season strong against three potential playoff teams.
"It will be a good challenge," Garoppolo said. "We've got to take it week by week, day by day, and we really can't look too far ahead because these are three good teams we are about to play. The Titans are a very talented team who's in the playoff hunt, so we've just got to keep doing what we've been doing. Working hard and plucking away at it."