It looked like the San Francisco 49ers playoff chances were about to take a hit on Sunday. The team had a chance to close out the game against the Cincinnati Bengals, but Robbie Gould missed the potential game-winner, and the two teams headed into overtime.
Then the Bengals drove down the field and looked as though they might pull off the comeback victory. The 49ers defense held them to a field goal, though, giving quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and the offense another chance to end the game on a high note.
Garoppolo guided the 49ers offense down the field, going 6-of-6 for 77 yards and the game-winning touchdown.
With the win, San Francisco improves to 7-6 and remains very much in the playoff conversation. Head coach Kyle Shanahan isn't looking that far ahead, though. He knows there is still a lot of work to be done, and the 49ers have to take the remainder of the season one game at a time.
Shanahan was asked what he thinks about the 49ers' playoff chances right now.
"I don't know. I think they're pretty good," Shanahan responded. "I mean, you guys probably know more of that than I do. I just know we've got to keep winning each game, is how I look at it.
"[Our playoff chances] felt good going into this game, and we got one more win, so I feel a little bit better. But I know that doesn't matter. We've got to keep winning each week. And if we keep doing that, then you don't ever have to really look at anybody else."
San Francisco has four regular-season games remaining. Next weekend, they will host the Atlanta Falcons before traveling to play the Tennessee Titans on a short week. After that, the 49ers close the regular season against the Houston Texans and at the Los Angeles Rams.
"It was a really good team win," defensive end Nick Bosa said. "I think this could really propel us in the right track."
