{"id":320663,"date":"2025-12-01T14:09:07","date_gmt":"2025-12-01T14:09:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/320663\/"},"modified":"2025-12-01T14:09:07","modified_gmt":"2025-12-01T14:09:07","slug":"in-the-nfls-season-of-meh-even-the-battered-49ers-are-super-bowl-contenders-nfl","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/320663\/","title":{"rendered":"In the NFL\u2019s season of meh, even the battered 49ers are Super Bowl contenders | NFL"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 49ers\u2019 season felt over after Week 6\u2019s loss to Tampa Bay<\/a>. Yes, they were 4-2. Yes, they were tied with the Seahawks and Rams and had already won head-to-head games against both. But that\u2019s when they hit rock bottom. All Pro linebacker Fred Warner was the latest casualty<\/a>, following in the footsteps<\/a> of All Pro edge rusher Nick Bosa with a season-ending injury. Brock Purdy had also struggled with injuries. George Kittle was hurt in Week 1. Both were not expected to return for several games. Brandon Aiyuk had no plans to play any time soon, at least not for San Francisco. By Week 7, the only big names in action were Christian McCaffrey and Trent Williams.<\/p>\n

Dire as the 49ers appeared on paper, they hung in. It helped that the Cardinals, Falcons, Giants, and Panthers featured in their upcoming schedule. They beat all four of them, losing only to the Texans and Rams in the next few weeks. None of the wins inspired much confidence, though. The Cardinals outgained the 49ers by 200 yards. Purdy threw three interceptions against the Panthers.<\/p>\n

Finally, on a windy day in Cleveland, the 49ers looked like they belonged in the playoff conversation. Sunday\u2019s 26-8 win<\/a> was the franchise\u2019s first in Cleveland since 1984. There was nothing splashy stat-wise, just smart, mistake-free football against one of the league\u2019s top defenses. Purdy was efficient, going 16-of-29 for 168 yards and one touchdown. He ran in another on a third-and-goal read-option.<\/p>\n

Purdy had solid protection and was sacked just once by Myles Garrett, a great accomplishment this season. Robert Saleh\u2019s defense dominated as Clelin Ferrell and Keion White broke through with key sacks. And Skyy Moore\u2019s 66-yard punt return<\/a> in the first-quarter set the tone for the game.<\/p>\n

As 49ers beat reporter David Lombardi points out<\/a>, the last 49ers win in Cleveland came the week after a four-interception game by Joe Montana. The 49ers would go on to win the Super Bowl that year.<\/p>\n

That outlook is a stretch for this group. Purdy is not Montana, and there is no healthy defender on the current 49ers roster at the same level as Ronnie Lott. That group was 15-1. This crew is 9-4 and sitting as the seventh seed in the playoff picture. There remains a lot of patchwork throughout the roster.<\/p>\n

But there is one stark advantage for the modern 49ers \u2013 there is no outstanding team in the NFL<\/a> this season. There is no longer certainty that Patrick Mahomes will lead the Chiefs to a dramatic comeback, no matter the odds. Or that Josh Allen can control a game with his legs. Or that Bo Nix and Drake Maye will be able to handle the pressure come playoff time. In the NFC, the once magical Lions have no identity and a bevy of issues on defense. The Rams are the NFL\u2019s most complete team but don\u2019t have a sure-thing offense. The Eagles were wildly outcoached by Ben Johnson and the Bears, the No 1 seed at the moment, are missing a lot of pieces.<\/p>\n

The only sure thing in the NFL in 2025 is the shrewdness of a handful of coaches. The 49ers\u2019 Kyle Shanahan is, of course, among them. As are Johnson and Sean McVay. Mike Vrabel, Sean Payton, and Brian Schottenheimer are also coaches youdon\u2019t want your team facing in the playoffs. That\u2019s what so strange about this season. Some rosters are far more compelling than San Francisco\u2019s. But there is no quarterback playing like Tom Brady, Peyton Manning or peak-era Mahomes. So the competitive advantage may ultimately lie in coaching. Factors like preparation, aggressiveness, and team chemistry probably mean a lot more this season.<\/p>\n

If that remains the case, don\u2019t count out the 49ers.<\/p>\n

MVP of the week<\/p>\n

Bryce Young, QB, Carolina Panthers. In a wild back-and-forth victory for the Panthers over the Rams, Young reminded us why he was once the NFL\u2019s No 1 overall pick. Young went toe-to-toe with Matthew Stafford and the Rams\u2019 sensational offense as well as the team\u2019s top-rated defense. In the 31-28 upset win, Young threw three touchdowns, no interceptions and was 15-of-20 for 206 yards. He brought the magic when it counted most, going 2-for-2 for 76 yards and two touchdowns on fourth down. His third touchdown was on third and eight. It doesn\u2019t get more clutch.<\/p>\n

Bryce Young leaves the field after his team\u2019s win over the Rams. Photograph: Rusty Jones\/AP<\/p>\n

Young\u2019s play has been inconsistent (see his game against San Francisco last week<\/a>), and one lights-out performance won\u2019t convince the skeptics. But against the Rams, Young showed Carolina all the intangibles he brings, especially heart. With the win, there is a plausible chance Young gets a taste of the postseason. The 7-6 Panthers are half a game behind the NFC South-leading Bucs, and the two teams face off twice before the end of the season.<\/p>\n

Stat of the week<\/p>\n

76. Thank goodness for Josh Allen\u2019s legs because his arm wasn\u2019t getting it done Sunday. Allen\u2019s eight-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth-quarter not only cemented the Bills\u2019 26-7 win over the Steelers, it gave him sole possession of the NFL record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback, with 76. He had previously been tied with Cam Newton.<\/p>\n

Josh Allen has been a menace on the ground throughout his career. Photograph: Brent Gudenschwager\/ZUMA Press Wire\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n

The game\u2019s star quarterbacks, Allen and Aaron Rodgers, struggled to get their offenses going. Allen ended the first half with just 51 passing yards and an interception. A head-butting altercation with Steelers defensive tackle Cam Heyward seemed to fuel Allen and the Bills to a much cleaner and efficient second-half. Allen hit Keon Coleman for a score after a nice pump fake. But it was James Cook\u2019s 144 rushing yards that sealed the Bills\u2019 victory. With the win, the Bills keep pace as the seventh seed in the AFC. They face the Joe Burrow-led Bengals next.<\/p>\n

Video of the week<\/p>\n

\u201cI know you guys are hungry for more, right? The city of Chicago is hungry too,\u201d Bears head coach Ben Johnson proclaimed in the team\u2019s raucous locker room after Friday\u2019s win over the Eagles. Then he ripped his shirt off<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The fired-up players encircling Johnson knew why. So too did Bears fans. Free hot dogs for all! The Wiener Circle, a hot dog stand that has become a Chicago institution, promised free hot dogs if Johnson took off his shirt after a Bears victory.<\/p>\n

To say Johnson has won over Chicago is an understatement. The Bears are 9-3, winners of five straight, NFC North leaders, AND currently the No 1 seed in the NFC after the Rams\u2019 loss. The confidence instilled by Johnson was on full display in Philadelphia. Chicago bullied the Eagles, especially in the trenches. The Bears run game had its way thanks to a combination of shrewd playcalling<\/a> and elite blocking. D\u2019Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai rushed for over 100 yards, the first time since 1985 the Bears had two 100-yard rushers in a game. The defense held its own, limiting Saquon Barkley to 56 yards on 13 carries. They also stopped a fourth-down tush push. The Bears were sharper, controlled the tempo, and simply seemed to want it more. That\u2019s the Ben Johnson effect.<\/p>\n

Elsewhere around the league<\/p>\n

Bucs tackle Tristan Wirfs \u2013 all 320lbs of him \u2013 provided a fun spark, hauling in his first-ever touchdown<\/a> in his team\u2019s 20-17 win over the Cardinals. The big guy touchdown came after two other \u201ctouchdowns\u201d on the same drive were nullified by penalties.<\/p>\n

Tristan Wirfs grabs his touchdown against the Cardinals. Photograph: Jefferee Woo\/Tampa Bay Times\/ZUMA Press Wire\/Shutterstock<\/p>\n

Extra-point drama in the Colts-Texans game! No, your eyes did not deceive you. Texans kicker Ka\u2019imi Fairbairn clearly missed an extra-point<\/a> wide left but the refs called it good, and the play wasn\u2019t reviewable. \u201cSince the ball was above the upright it\u2019s not reviewable,\u201d referee Clay Martin said after the game. The touchdown was also aided by a phantom pass interference call on Colts cornerback Kenny Moore. The Texans went on to win the game between two teams battling for the AFC South title, and the contest did not need such substandard officiating.<\/p>\n

Northern Ireland\u2019s Charlie Smyth, a graduate of the NFL\u2019s International Pathways Program, had a pretty good start to his pro football career. The former Gaelic footballer drilled a 56-yarder with his first attempt in the NFL and also had an onside kick recovered, although his team lost 21-17 to the Dolphins. Smyth only learned he was playing at late notice and had to rush his family over the Atlantic to Miami to see the game. \u201cIf we had to wait another three or four hours longer, I don\u2019t think it would have been possible,\u201d Smyth said, revealing his parents and sisters had suffered delays on the way over. \u201cIt was so awesome to see them here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Continuing our special teams debut special: Jaguars nose tackle DaVon Hamilton subbed in as his team\u2019s long snapper after an injury to Ross Matiscik in the first quarter. He successfully snapped on a field goal, extra point and three punts. \u201cThat was very exciting,\u201d Hamilton said. \u201cDefinitely not something I want to do on a day-to-day basis. I\u2019m going to leave this to Ross. But it was fun.\u201d Hamilton\u2019s snaps helped the Jags to a 25-3 win over the Titans, which puts them top of a tight race in the AFC South over the Colts and Texans.<\/p>\n

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Just another routine catch for Puka Nacua<\/a>. And don\u2019t get us started on Brock Bowers<\/a>. And Treylon Burks<\/a>, come to think of it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The 49ers\u2019 season felt over after Week 6\u2019s loss to Tampa Bay. Yes, they were 4-2. Yes, they…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":320664,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[559],"tags":[64,63,593,85],"class_list":{"0":"post-320663","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nfl","8":"tag-au","9":"tag-australia","10":"tag-nfl","11":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/320663","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=320663"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/320663\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/320664"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=320663"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=320663"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=320663"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}