"We've had to win a lot of different ways this year," head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters after the San Francisco 49ers beat the Seattle Seahawks 26-21 on Sunday night. "I keep feeling like we've done it every way possible. Then we find a new way to do it."
The 49ers have been involved in several nail-biters this season. That experience, and thrilling wins like the ones against the New Orleans Saints, Los Angeles Rams, and Seahawks, are the reason why NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah believes San Francisco has the edge over its potential playoff opponents.
"This is the most battle-tested team in the NFL," Jeremiah said. "They have been in so many close, contested games, and find ways to win. Then when I forecast the postseason, I look at a couple of things. I look at you've got to get a hot quarterback, which Jimmy Garoppolo has proven he can get hot, and you've got to have a dominant defensive line. We all know that they possess that.
"And then George Kittle, we need some type of an X-factor. He fits that bill. That was huge for them to get that bye to get that rest."
Speaking of the defensive line, the first-round bye means the unit could be even better when the 49ers kick off their first playoff game since the 2013 season in a couple of weeks.
"Two players that we haven't talked about that could really put the 49ers over the edge? On defense, they get Dee Ford back for the playoffs," NFL Network reporter Steve Wyche adds. "That's why this bye is important because one thing when talking to teams that have played them, they didn't have that speed edge guy who not only could rush, but who had that lateral put-your-foot-in-the-ground and go chase those screens. And that's really where we've seen the 49ers vulnerable since Dee Ford has been out.
"But guys, also, Deebo Samuel — every time it seems like they need a first down, they find a way to get him the ball. Running back, screen plays, passes down the field. He has been fantastic. One of the best rookie wide receivers in a good rookie wide receiver group that we've seen."
San Francisco awaits the results from the Wildcard round of the playoffs and will host the weakest emerging opponent at Levi's Stadium on Saturday, January 11.
