The San Francisco 49ers are currently cruising their way into January, winning their past eight games, which clinched them a division title and potentially could earn them a top-two seed in the NFC.
Currently, they're the hottest team in football, and playing at a high level at the most important time: heading into the playoffs.
However, as this season has shown on several accords, any team can be beaten in the NFL. With that said, let's evaluate the few concerns that the 49ers have heading into the playoffs.
1. Charvarius Ward
How can San Francisco's top cornerback be at the forefront of their concerns heading into the playoffs?
Well, the concern isn't Charvarius Ward himself, but rather the challenge the 49ers' defense faces without Ward on the field.
Ward hasn't missed a single game in 2022, but has experienced injuries during several games that have cost the 26-year-old cornerback snaps.
The 49ers saw that happen for the second straight week against the Washington Commanders this past weekend, and it's clear what the objective is for opposing offenses when the top cornerback isn't on the field: throw at his replacement.
This weekend, as soon as Ward exited the field, Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinecke completed a 61-yard pass in the direction of Samuel Womack on a miscommunication with Tashaun Gipson, who should've been playing help defense as the overhang safety.
Ward doesn't only bring Pro Bowl-level play when on the field, but a degree of familiarity with his teammates that allows for less busted coverages and more continuity defensively.
Without that element, the 49ers can be vulnerable on both sides of the field defensively, which may force DeMeco Ryans to play more conservatively, allowing opposing offenses to gain some necessary traction, even if it's for a couple of plays.
Ward is arguably the team's most important defender, given the drop-off when he's not on the field, making it vital that he remains healthy throughout the remainder of the season.
2. Offensive Line sustainability
The 49ers' offensive line has exceeded expectations in 2022, playing like a potential top-10 unit, despite fielding three new starters.
However, they've faced struggles of their own at times, which may come into play in the playoffs.
The offensive line has struggled to move the line of scrimmage against stronger defensive lines, specifically along the interior, which has led to wrinkles in the running game, both earlier in the season and recently.
Over the past six weeks, the 49ers have faced top defensive units along the front seven in the New Orleans Saints, Miami Dolphins, and Washington Commanders.
In each of those three games, while San Francisco came out on top, the 49ers ran for under four yards per carry, while getting sacked eight times during the stretch.
The 49ers have best executed offensively when sustaining a strong, balanced approach, which has been limited when there aren't the necessary holes in the running game.
Now, in the playoffs, it's almost a certainty that the 49ers will run into a top defensive line unit.
The Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, and Minnesota Vikings each possess good players in the position group, which could create problems for the 49ers' offense.
3. First-time quarterback in the playoffs
With the 49ers having clinched a playoff start, Brock Purdy is set to be a first-time quarterback in the playoffs, which is impressive given that he was just a seventh-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
However, history isn't on Purdy's side, as quarterbacks making their first career playoff start are 26-44, with four of the five first-time quarterbacks losing that game last year.
Of course, the outlier was Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, who led his team to the Super Bowl in 2021, where they lost to the Los Angeles Rams.
But, since 2001, only one quarterback has ever won the Super Bowl in his first career playoffs as the starter: Tom Brady, who defeated the St. Louis Rams to win his first championship.
Purdy has navigated the 49ers well during their eight-game win streak, impressing with his sneaky athleticism and willingness to let it rip when players are open downfield.
However, he faces a tough task ahead of him as a first-time quarterback in the playoffs, where the track record has been uninspiring.
- Rohan Chakravarthi
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Written by:Writer/Reporter for 49ers Webzone
