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Things didn't look good for the San Francisco 49ers for much of Saturday night's game. The team never gave up hope and certainly never stopped fighting.
With each seemingly devastating blow that the Los Angeles Rams inflicted, the 49ers countered with their own until finally, they came out on top.
That sets up an NFC West title showdown with the Seattle Seahawks next week. A win and the 49ers emerge as the No. 1 seed in the playoffs with a much-needed first-round bye and home-field advantage. But it will involve doing something the team hasn't done since 2011 — beat the Seahawks in Seattle.
A loss will mean starting the playoffs on the road and making the path to the Super Bowl significantly more difficult.
No one seems intimidated by the opponent or what is at stake in Week 17.
"I love playing in Seattle, against Seattle," defensive tackle DeForest Buckner told reporters after Saturday's win. "It's a big deal for us. We can get this first-round bye and rest up. Also, we haven't beaten Seattle in Seattle in a while, you know what I mean?
"And so it's going to mean a lot to the organization to go up there and get this dub. We're all focused on it, and I can't wait to get up there."
Buckner feels earning that first-round off is important for the 49ers, who have not had an extended rest since their bye in Week 4.
"It's an extra game that we don't need to play," Buckner continued, "and it also gives us time for guys to heal up and get ready for the playoffs."
Next weekend will be quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo's first start in Seattle. He has been in hostile environments before, but the crowd at CenturyLink Field gives the Seahawks a significant home-field advantage.
"It will be cool," Garoppolo said. "Try to enjoy this one for the night, and then move on. Got an extra day this week, so that will be big for us, but every game from here on out is big."
"It's going to be loud. We know it's going to be a hostile environment, and I can't wait for it. It's going to be awesome. It will be a great challenge for us.
"All these games, it seems like every week is a big game, and this time of year, they all are. We'll go in there with the right mindset, prepare for these guys, and make it happen."
Linebacker
Fred Warner said last week's defeat made an impact, and the team knew what was on the line against the Rams. He feels the 49ers are prepared for whatever challenge is in their way.
"You look back at our season, I feel like we're battle-tested, to say the least," Warner told reporters. "I think if you kind of line it up perfectly at the beginning of the season, this is exactly where we wanted to be, in this type of situation where it's in our hands, going into a hostile environment. We'll be prepared. I can't wait."
According to Sports Illustrated contributor Noah Strackbein, who writes for "All Steelers" on the network, there's a level of confidence within the Pittsburgh Steelers organization that they can strike a deal for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk—and at a bargain rate.
"According to a team source, the Steelers and 49ers trade talks are real," Strackbein wrote. "While nothing is imminent, they 'would be surprised if it didn't happen.' But it all comes down to compensation, and Pittsburgh isn't willing to budge much on price."
While it seems unlikely that the 49ers would part ways with Aiyuk for anything less than a first-round draft
It's evident that the San Francisco 49ers engaged in long-term financial planning. Much discussion has centered around the feasibility of the team committing significant financial resources to two wide receivers, Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel. Some skeptics question the wisdom of such heavy investment in a single position, especially considering that the 49ers handed Samuel a substantial three-year extension merely two years ago.
Adding complexity to this debate is the impending contract extension for quarterback Brock Purdy, positioning him to become the highest-paid player on the team. He will likely even become one of the NFL's highest-paid players. Where he ranks in average salary will depend upon whether he can replicate the stellar performance of his Pro Bowl 2023
George Kittle recently spoke with ESPN during the Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia, where he joined other NFL stars for the golfing event. Of course, the conversation shifted toward football, with Laura Rutledge asking Kittle to reflect on the team's 2023 season, its Super Bowl defeat, and the motivation it provides for the upcoming season.
The tight end believes San Francisco maintained a competitive roster this offseason and is gearing up for another run at a championship. He emphasized the importance of maintaining good health and continual improvement for a successful upcoming season.
"Brock Purdy is a fantastic quarterback, and he's only going to get better because he's young," Kittle said. "And we were fortunate enough to be able to keep our entire
The San Francisco 49ers announced the signing of wide receiver Trent Taylor to a one-year deal, reuniting with the team's former fifth-round draft pick out of Louisiana Tech.
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area was the first to report that the 49ers were discussing a potential reunion with Taylor. The receiver was part of head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch's first draft class in 2017 and spent his first four NFL seasons with the team.
The #49ers are talking with free-agent slot receiver/return man
