The San Francisco 49ers' loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday was a disappointment, but it doesn't change the fact that the team still controls its own destiny. If they win out, they will once again find themselves atop the NFC West and the conference when it comes to playoff positioning.
The first task will be beating the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday and then traveling to CenturyLink Field for a crucial matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, and ending the season with a win there.
Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice, who joined 95.7 The Game on Monday, isn't counting out his former team of 16 years and believes San Francisco can finish out the season with two division wins and reclaim the No. 1 seed throughout the playoffs.
"I still have faith in the Niners that they're going to come back and win the next two games," Rice said on the "Joe, Lo and Dibs" show.
The 49ers rushed for 120 yards on Sunday, but Rice would like to see the offense re-establish a run-first identity to help set up quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo for success.
Added Rice: "They control everything. I'm not counting them out. I feel like they can win the last two games."
Rice also voiced his opinion on the decision to kick a field goal on 4th-and-1 in the fourth quarter rather than going for the first down, potentially continuing the drive, and eating more of the clock. It was a decision head coach Kyle Shanahan said after the game was never up for debate because he wanted to force the Falcons to go the length of the field.
The Hall of Famer agreed with Shanahan's decision.
"I think you leave it up to your defense," Rice said. "We've got one of the best defensive lines, and I guess Kyle Shanahan, he said, 'We're just going to take these points, leave it up to the defense to come up with a stop and win this football game.' I think he made the right decision there."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Rice below.