For the second week in a row, the San Francisco 49ers can play the role of spoiler and eliminate the Seattle Seahawks' hopes of earning the top seed in the NFC playoff picture. Seattle needs a win, a Green Bay Packers loss, and a New Orleans loss or tie to earn a first-round bye.
San Francisco will be even more shorthanded than usual, though. The team will be without wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel. Quarterback C.J. Beathard won't have left tackle Trent Williams protecting him. The 49ers defense will once again be without cornerback Richard Sherman, and safety Jimmie Ward remains in the concussion protocol. Defensive end Jordan Willis will also miss the game.
The 49ers have endured a lot this season. Injuries, setbacks due to COVID-19, being forced to end the season with an extended stay in Arizona. 2020 is probably a season most players and coaches would like to put behind them as quickly as possible.
"Every time we get a little bit of juice, it seems like two things are taken away," head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Monday. "I think that's what's been the challenge, just for the coaching staff and for the players, for everyone in here. ... Even our win two days ago was great, and it was nice to have eight days so we could enjoy it on Sunday, and you come in here today, and you find out it was awesome, but you lost Trent Williams and Aiyuk.
"So, it's a little bit back after that, but it's kind of used to it. That's why I'm glad I'm not going to get any more bad news after this week because after this week it's time to rest, regroup and get ready for next year, which I know our guys are going to be pumped to get to. I know I am."
The best record the 49ers can hope for is 7-9. That could be the result after entering the season with such high expectations and coming off a trip to the Super Bowl.
Below is a sample of some of the more prominent power rankings around the web and where San Francisco currently stands within each.
Sports Illustrated
Current Ranking: 14
Previous rank: 22
"What Robert Saleh did to the Cardinals' healthy, high-pedigree offense on Saturday, with his unit of second-stringers, was a reminder that he's not just the fortunate recipient of Nick Bosa." — Gary Gramling
ESPN
Current Ranking: 16
Previous rank: 20
"The Niners' injury bad luck this season was among the worst the NFL has ever seen. And while they did their best not to use it as an excuse, they never had much of a chance to defend their NFC crown, as most of their best players spent the season on injured reserve. Even with a lot of difficult decisions awaiting this offseason -- including at quarterback -- this team has enough talent to vault right back into contention if it has vastly improved health in 2021." — Nick Wagoner
NFL.com
Current Ranking: 21
Previous rank: 26
"The 49ers and Cardinals played for nearly 3.5 hours on Saturday. We estimate roughly two hours of the telecast featured shots of Robert Saleh celebrating excelsior play by his defense in a 20-12 win over Arizona. ... Saleh earned high praise when the Niners reached the Super Bowl last season, but his résumé is even more sterling for what he's done with a defense in 2020 that's been absolutely ravaged by injuries on every level. Saleh has proven his bona fides, and he's telegenic, to boot. This man will get one of the big chairs in January ... book it." — Dan Hanzus
Current Ranking: 24
Previous rank: 27
"QB C.J. Beathard would rather have his brother back, but Saturday's performance was quite a tribute to his sibling a year after his murder." — Nate Davis
CBS Sports
Current Ranking: 25
Previous rank: 26
"They aren't going to the playoffs, but Kyle Shanahan should be proud of the coaching job he has done this year. It's been outstanding." — Pete Prisco
Bleacher Report
Current Ranking: 26
Previous rank: 26
"The 2020 San Francisco 49ers have been defined by two words—if only. If only the defense hadn't lost top edge-rusher Nick Bosa right off the get-go. If only starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo hadn't suffered a season-ending injury. If only the skill positions hadn't been eviscerated by injuries as well—including star tight end George Kittle, who has missed half the season. If only the entire team hadn't been forced to relocate because of COVID-19 restrictions in Santa Clara County. But all those things happened. And while dealing the rival Cardinals' playoff hopes a major blow with a win in Glendale has to provide a little satisfaction, it's bittersweet. Regardless of what happens next week against the Seahawks, the 2020 season will be over for the defending NFC champions." — NFL Staff
