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The San Francisco 49ers secured a playoff berth this week, marking their fourth postseason appearance in the last five years. Currently leading the NFC playoff standings, the 49ers are the front-runners for home-field advantage, providing a favorable track to the Super Bowl if they maintain their winning streak.
"It's a big deal for a number of reasons," general manager John Lynch told Bay Area radio station KNBR's Brian Murphy and Markus Boucher on Friday morning. "I mean, you love playing your games at home, but over the last few years, we've been a good road team, too, and we travel well as a team.
"So, I don't think that's top of mind, although we love playing here at Levi's. I think it's, quite simply, you want the cleanest track to the big game, and we'll take it whatever way we have to. But when you only have to play two games, and you're there, then that's a great thing."
Nothing comes easily in the NFL. Unless the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles stumble, the 49ers must finish the season strong. They will travel to face the Arizona Cardinals this weekend, following up with a home game against the Baltimore Ravens. The team will close out the season with a road game against the Washington Commanders before hosting the Los Angeles Rams.
The 49ers aren't looking beyond this weekend, though, and the general manager provided a fitting analogy for the team's focused mentality heading into Week 15.
Lynch said, "We're there right now, but the important thing is we focus on each task and almost get that out of our mind, understand what the carrot is. But you don't look for the light at the end of the tunnel. You just keep digging. And we got to dig this week down in Arizona against a team that's confident and playing well."
San Francisco has dominated its division, going 4-0 against NFC West foes. The 49ers have outscored their division opponents 124-68 this season. What's the secret behind the success? Lynch believes the answer to that question is simple.
"I just think we have a good team, and we've got a really good team who works very hard," Lynch stated. "We're coached extremely well, and when you have all those things ... when you have the work ethic that so much of this team has, I think it's about having not just the talent, but the right people, and the right character, and I think we have that."
Lynch acknowledges that the 49ers will need some good fortune to keep things rolling. Health will be a significant factor in the team's continued success.
"Those are all challenges, but our guys take every challenge and face it head on," Lynch continued. "I think the leadership of [head coach] Kyle [Shanahan] is just tremendous; the schematic advantage we get from Kyle and his offensive staff. And then [defensive coordinator] Steve Wilks and the defensive staff doing a great job of putting our players in position to be successful. I think all those things, you throw it together, and we're at a good place.,
"And I think the fact that we never take any of these games for granted. We understand that this is the NFL, and they've got very good players on the other side and we got to go bring it each week. And I think that's a hallmark of this team. We bring it, physically, each and every week, and that's something we're real proud of."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Lynch below.
Having both played safety, rookie Malik Mustapha and San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch can relate to each other. Mustapha acknowledges the impact that Lynch and others like 49ers legend Ronnie Lott had on the game. However, admittedly, he hasn't seen a lot of their play.
This shouldn't come as a surprise. After all, Mustapha is just 21 years old. He wasn't even one year old when Lynch won his Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (OK, I feel really old now, too).
Mustapha didn't hesitate to poke fun at his new boss when asked if he has ever seen Lynch play. With a smile, he stated, "I'm gonna have to dig deep for that film, but I definitely heard good things about him. I'm hip with the John Lynches, the Ronnie Lotts of the world, things like
The following press release was provided by NFL Communications.
NEW YORK — Netflix has an early Christmas gift for you – but it won't fit under the tree. On Dec. 25, 2024, Netflix will be the global home of the NFL's two Christmas Day marquee games. And mark your calendar for Christmas Day in 2025 and 2026 when Netflix will be streaming at least one holiday game each year as part of this three-season deal.
Netflix has been playing ball with the NFL for a couple of years now beginning with the hit series "Quarterback" in 2023. This summer, "Receiver" is set to premiere on Netflix and will follow five of the NFL's best pass catchers through their 2023 season on and off the field: Davante Adams (Las Vegas Raiders), Justin
San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen spoke to reporters during the team's rookie minicamp. Here is everything he had to say.
Transcript provided by the San Francisco 49ers Communications staff.
Opening comments:
"Good to see you guys. I'm excited. Go ahead, you can ask questions. We just got out of walk-through with our rookies. It's pretty cool to have those guys here."
When an offense takes a look at your defense, early in the season, what do you want them to see? What is going to be the identity of your defense?
"I want them to see that we're still the standard of what we've always been, an attacking defense that plays fast. We play violent, we play with speed
Shakel Brown was among several players who participated in a tryout in front of coaches during the San Francisco 49ers' rookie minicamp last week. Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reports that the team was impressed enough with the defensive lineman to sign him.
Defensive lineman Shakel Brown @TROYUnews signed with #49ers after rookie minicamp tryout per a league source
