ESPN's host, Stephen A. Smith, remains skeptical of quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo but isn't dismissing the possibility that the San Francisco 49ers might be the best team entering the playoffs. Of course, that is dependent on one thing — the team's health.
Smith, Max Kellerman, and Molly Qerim Rose took ESPN's First Take show on the road to Philadelphia and asked the question: Can the 49ers reach the Super Bowl if they do not have home-field advantage throughout the playoffs?
Kellerman doesn't believe so. He still thinks the 49ers are the best team in the NFC, but the path to the Super Bowl might be too much to overcome should they enter January as a Wildcard.
"In that scenario, they are likely to have to play at least two of the three scenarios," explains Kellerman. "Ready? Drew Brees at the Superdome, and either Aaron Rodgers at Lambeau or Russell Wilson at Seattle.
"If you have to play two of those three situations, and your defense has broken in the moment of truth three times in the season (noting the way the 49ers lost their three games), the quarterback hasn't even had a shot to get [the ball] back, I don't even see them going to Lambeau and beating Aaron Rodgers."
Smith defended the 49ers' playoff chances, noting that San Francisco has an elite defense, running game, and play-caller in head coach Kyle Shanahan. The ESPN personality also notes that the 49ers have been dealing with injuries in recent weeks.
"I'm just saying, take health into consideration," Smith said. "Soon, they're all going to be there, and to me, they can beat anybody. They could beat anybody."