Five 49ers to keep an eye on in post-bye matchup vs. Titans in Week 15

There are four games remaining in the 2025 NFL regular season, and it is wide open as to where this season goes for the 49ers.Although they currently sit in the No. 6 spot in the NFC playoff picture, the 49ers have not accomplished anything … yet. They have not wrapped up one of the seven playoff spots.But the 49ers did enough winning through 13 games to control their own destiny.“We’re sitting here at 9-4 and everything that we’ve worked for, we’re excited about it, but we’re still in a situation where we could be one of those seven teams or not get in the playoffs,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said on NBC Sports Bay Area’s “49ers Game Plan.”“There’s no difference right now than in Week 1. However, there are four games to do it, and that’s more inspiring. It’s not as daunting.”The 49ers can strengthen their bid for a spot in the postseason with a victory over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium.The Titans, Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants have 2-11 records, tied for worst in the NFL.It’s a game the 49ers, as 12 1/2-point favorites, should win. In order not to leave the Titans any openings, these five 49ers players must take care of business:QB Brock PurdyBrock Purdy has been up, down and up again in his three starts since coming back from a toe injury that sidelined him for eight of the 49ers’ first 10 games.As the 49ers settle in and Purdy is feeling much better, it’s time for him to find his rhythm and lead the 49ers down the stretch of the regular season and into the playoffs.The weather conditions and a matchup against one of the worst teams in the league should allow Purdy an opportunity to make some plays and put points on the scoreboard.DT Alfred CollinsRookie defensive tackle Alfred Collins might be the 49ers’ best defensive lineman. He appears to be getting better and better.Collins’ stats are anything but eye-popping, but his job is to handle a lot of the dirty work. His role is to clog things up on the interior against the run and push the pocket in the passing game.Collins could have an opportunity to register his first NFL sack on Sunday against Titans rookie quarterback Cam Ward, who is tied for worst in the NFL, with the Raiders’ Geno Smith, with 49 sacks allowed on the season.LG Spencer BurfordTennessee’s Jeffery Simmons might be the best player at his position in the entire NFL. The interior of the 49ers’ offensive line will face a huge test going up against Simmons, who leads all defensive tackles with eight sacks on the season.Spencer Burford takes over as the full-time 49ers’ left guard with Ben Bartch going on injured reserve with a foot injury. Burford started 32 games at right guard in his first two NFL seasons, including the postseason. After serving as the 49ers’ backup offensive tackle, Burford will make his sixth start this season at left guard on Sunday.Burford, along with center Jake Brendel and right guard Dominick Puni, will face a huge challenge Sunday against Simmons.LB Dee WintersWeakside linebacker Dee Winters leads the 49ers in tackles, and he should have plenty of opportunities to add to his total against Titans running back Tony Pollard.The recipe for Tennessee will likely consist of repeated handoffs to Pollard, who rushed for 161 yards and two touchdowns against the Cleveland Browns. The 49ers must avoid missed tackles. Most of Pollard’s yards came on two plays: touchdown runs of 65 and 32 yards.Winters cannot allow Pollard to turn the corner and get upfield at full speed. He takes on a lot more responsibility with the injuries to the 49ers’ top two middle linebackers, Fred Warner and Tatum Bethune.WR Ricky PearsallThe season started on a high note for wide receiver Ricky Pearsall, who looked like a true No. 1 receiver after the first three games.But a knee injury sidelined him for six games. Since his return, the numbers have not been there. Pearsall has just five receptions for 20 yards in three games while playing nearly 80 percent of the 49ers’ offensive snaps.Yet, the coaching staff has nothing but good things to say about how Pearsall has graded out. Circumstances — not poor execution on Pearsall’s part — are the reasons for the low statistical production, Shanahan said.Still, it’s time for Pearsall and Purdy to reconnect and gain some momentum to end the regular season and head into the playoffs.Download and follow the 49ers Talk Podcast

Five 49ers to keep an eye on in post-bye matchup vs. Titans in Week 15

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