The San Francisco 49ers had secured a playoff spot before their Week 15 showdown with the Arizona Cardinals, but the team was far from satisfied with this accomplishment. Their ultimate goal is a Super Bowl victory. The best way to do that is to earn home-field advantage in the playoffs, and they remain in the driver's seat for that.
But first, the team had to handle business within its division. Clinching the NFC West title for the second consecutive season required a victory over the Cardinals on Sunday, and the 49ers achieved this with a decisive 45-29 win at State Farm Stadium.
Locked down the NFC West! #FTTB pic.twitter.com/035Kq4eXEu
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) December 18, 2023
"Our number one goal is to get in the playoffs, and we got that last week," head coach Kyle Shanahan said during his post-game press conference. "Winning this division, getting it last year, getting it this year, it's huge. We just want to get in the playoffs. When you win your division, it's a much better road in the playoffs.
"I know the guys were pumped about it, but now our biggest thing is making sure we got two home games and trying to get a bye. So that's what we're focused on now."
Home-field advantage would undeniably simplify their path to the Super Bowl. It would mean everything goes through Levi's Stadium. Unlike last season, the team would not have to travel into hostile territory during the postseason. Winning these final three games would assure the 49ers the top seed in the NFC playoff picture.
"Man, I'm excited," linebacker Fred Warner said of the division championship. "That was the goal coming in, and that's the goal every season. That's the standard here with the Niners, and so, really proud of the team, the way that we've played all season long, performed, and bounced back from adversity. To be able to win the division is huge."
After the 49ers won the division last season, Warner stood in front of his teammates and urged them to enjoy the feeling because it can be a rarity in the NFL. The linebacker immediately wished he could take back the comment.
"I immediately regretted saying that because I'm like, 'No, this is the standard. This is the standard now,'" Warner explained.
Yet, this is just one more step in the season-long journey. The 49ers know they have a talented roster capable of winning it all this season. They plan to relish this victory for only 24 hours before redirecting their focus to the next challenge—the Christmas night clash against the Baltimore Ravens.
"[We know] the big goal, the big picture, and we should always have that in mind," quarterback Brock Purdy said. "But, I think all of us, we don't want to just get to the end and miss out on the whole process. We're still trying to enjoy the season, the games, the little moments. I think guys here have played long enough, and they understand how to do that, and then obviously lock in on the team that we're supposed to be playing next.
"So enjoying the little moments and things like that, but obviously, it's the next game up, and we got to win."
The 49ers are committed to continued improvement. While they scored a season-high 45 points on Sunday, the defense surrendered a season-high 234 rushing yards. That stands out as an area in need of improvement for San Francisco to achieve its ultimate goal.
"I think, obviously, winning the division is very important," running back Christian McCaffrey said. "It's a big step for us. But ... I think everybody knows where we want to be, and we know that each week, you have to bring your best ball. We're going to get everybody's best shot. So the standard's got to continue to rise in practice, meetings, and then obviously for the three hours on Sunday."
