Every game has become a must-win for the San Francisco 49ers, who host the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night at Levi's Stadium. Treating each matchup as a playoff contest, the 49ers understand that another loss could seal their fate—playoff elimination.
At 6-7, the team finds itself in one of its most precarious positions in recent years. However, general manager John Lynch remains confident in his team's ability to rise to the challenge, having seen it happen before. While winning out will be difficult—and their playoff chances will likely require help from other teams—the 49ers continue to focus on taking things one game at a time.
Lynch acknowledges the Rams present a "big challenge," but he knows the 49ers must find a way to prevail if they hope to keep their season alive.
"And then we can worry about the bigger picture by just continuing to take them as they come," Lynch told NBC Sports Bay Area this week. "But we have responded well in the past when our back's up against the wall, I think, because we're talented, we're prideful, and we got a lot of guys with high football character and high character in general.
"So, when your backs are against the wall, there typically is a real quality response."
Keys to victory against the Rams
When asked what the 49ers need to do to secure a win on Thursday night, Lynch highlighted the importance of finishing games—an area where the team has struggled this season.
"Against [Rams QB Matthew] Stafford, you can't ever feel like you've got a game wrapped up," Lynch explained. "He's one of those guys you've got to play until that last second ticks off the clock. And I think you've got to match and beat the physicality. They're a physical team. They play the right way. We pride ourselves on that."
The 49ers are no strangers to high-stakes football, and Lynch's confidence in his team's resilience will be tested on Thursday night in front of what he hopes will be a loud and passionate crowd at Levi's Stadium.
"And so, it should be a great matchup," Lynch added. "We're playing for our playoff lives. We've got to continue to play with a great deal of urgency."