The 49ers aren’t in action in Week 9, but there are a handful of games that’ll matter for a club that’s now fighting for its playoff life after holding onto the No. 1 seed in the conference just three weeks ago.
San Francisco heads into Week 9 as the No. 6 seed in the conference and in need of some help to climb back toward the top. They can’t help themselves over the bye, but they can certainly get some help.
Here are the games that matter for the 49ers on Sunday:
Vikings (4-4) at Falcons (4-4)
Both of these teams are starting new QBs in Week 9. The Vikings hold a tiebreaker over the 49ers though so seeing them lose would be helpful for San Francisco trying to stave off teams behind them. Ideally though the 49ers will be atop the division where they’re guaranteed a top-four seed and teams like Minnesota and Atlanta won’t matter.
49ers pulling for: Falcons
Seahawks (5-2) at Ravens (6-2)
No question here. A Seahawks loss would put the 49ers back atop the division thanks to their superior record within the NFC West. San Francisco faces Seattle twice down the stretch, so a Seahawks win isn’t the end of the world, but it would be helpful if Baltimore took them down.
49ers pulling for: Ravens
Rams (3-5) at Packers (2-5)
The Rams are mostly out of the picture for now, but a loss in Green Bay would all but eliminate them from contending for the NFC West crown.
49ers pulling for: Packers
Buccaneers (3-4) at Texans (3-4)
First, it’s always fun to root for DeMeco Ryans. Second, Tampa Bay is another team behind the 49ers in the playoff picture whose loss would only put them further out of San Francisco’s rearview.
49ers pulling for: Texans
Commanders (3-5) at Patriots (2-6)
Same idea with the Commanders as the Buccaneers. Losing just sets them further out of the playoff hunt, although their moves at the deadline indicate the organization believes they’re already done.
49ers pulling for: Patriots
Bears (2-6) at Saints (4-4)
It’s not likely that Chicago swings an upset, but a Saints loss drops them to 4-5 and puts them a full 1.5 games back of San Francisco in the playoff hunt. A Saints win puts them 0.5 games back.
49ers pulling for: Bears
Cowboys (5-2) at Eagles (7-1)
A Cowboys loss would move the 49ers up to the No. 5 seed, but it would make the No. 1 seed even further out of reach. San Francisco has to pull for Dallas here in hopes that when they face the Eagles in Week 13 they can win and snag the No. 1 seed by way of head-to-head tiebreaker. Either result here is helpful for the 49ers, but a Philly loss is more helpful.
49ers pulling for: Cowboys (completely logical for any fan not being able to bring themselves to do this, btw).
