So the trade for Christian McCaffrey worked out, the 49ers beat the Rams (again) and all is well with the world in San Francisco as bye week rolls around for the boys in red and gold. In truth, the break could hardly have come at a better time for the Niners, who still have key players banged up and in need of one more week of recuperation before they can rejoin the fray for the nine-week run towards what will, hopefully, be another postseason berth.
Fullback Kyle Juszczyk and self-styled 'wideback' Deebo Samuel both joined Arik Armstead, Dre Greenlaw, Juaun Jennings and Elijah Mitchell on the casualty list ahead of the Rams game, and head coach Kyle Shanahan acknowledges that a week off can only help his squad get right, even if tails are up again following Sunday's win at SoFi Stadium.
"We’re pretty optimistic to get a number of guys back," Shanahan confirmed. "It’s kind of tough because all those guys stay here this whole [bye] week and rehab. We are hoping that most of them will come back — and we feel pretty good about that — but they have to have a good week here rehabbing and we’ll find out [where we stand] when we get back on Monday (November 7).”
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When the Niners reconvene after the bye, they will do so without talismanic running back Jeff Wilson Jr, who was traded to the Miami Dolphins on deadline day, and still mourning the passing of long-time vice president/director of football operations John McVay. The former Giants head coach — whose grandson, Sean, currently holds the same position with the Rams — worked closely with Bill Walsh to create one of the most successful NFL dynasties of all time, presiding over five 49ers Super Bowl wins while, in the course of two separate stints, giving 21 years to the franchise.
San Fran heads into the bye week with a 4-4 record but, while those numbers may have been cause for concern if projected onto the schedule at the start of the season, they now hint at a platform from which to launch a playoff push. Prior to their season-opening loss to a lacklustre Chicago Bears side, and subsequent capitulation against similarly-stuttering Denver, it was the second half of the schedule that appeared to hold most trepidation for the 49ers, filled as it is with teams many predicted to be on the plus side of the divide. Things have changed, however, and, with the Niners just one game out of the divisional lead, there is everything to play for.
vs LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
Key offseason additions on defense, allied to phenom QB Justin Herbert, RB Austin Ekeler and a sure-handed receiving corps suggested the Chargers could be a threat to Kansas City's AFC West crown. However, L.A.'s 'other' team has proven as erratic as ever and, while they may yet cause an upset, a home game after their bye should be enough for the Niners. WIN (5-4)
@ ARIZONA CARDINALS (Mexico City)
One of only three road games in San Fran's final nine fixtures, but this one is the penultimate International Series event and features two teams able to market themselves to a rabid local fanbase, ensuring strong support for both. As long as the Niners don't suffer many more injuries, they should have enough in the tank to beat a Cards team with DeAndre Hopkins, but without Chandler Jones. WIN (6-4)
vs NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
The NFC South has seemingly imploded this season, and the Saints — while no-one's favourite for the division — are not the threat many anticipated. An occasional touch of Taysom Hill has kept them in the title race even with a 3-5 record, but they look uninspired under HC Dennis Allen, and that's good for the Niners. WIN (7-4)
vs MIAMI DOLPHINS
Familiar faces returning to Levi's Stadium add extra spice to an already fascinating encounter, but don't call this a revenge game for Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel or recently-acquired RBs Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. Miami, currently one game out of the AFC East lead, with QB Tua Tagovailoa riding high despite missing time with concussion and possessing the fastest WR tandem in NFL-dom, might genuinely have too much for the home team. LOSS (7-5)
vs TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
With Tom Brady returning from 'retirement' in time to persuade the Bucs' biggest weapons to remain in situ, this might have also been a tough assignment for San Francisco, but Brady's personal life appears to be taking a mental and physical toll on the 45-year-old and, coincidence or not, his offense is misfiring as a result. The Bucs' D cannot win games by itself. WIN (8-5)
@ SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
If anyone had predicted that it would be Seattle occupying top spot in the NFC West as the Niners headed into their bye, they'd have been laughed out of town. But the truth is that the Seahawks are better than advertised, with a stingy defense and QB Geno Smith in Comeback of the Year form. A trip to the Emerald City in mid-December is also not for the faint-hearted. LOSS (8-6)
vs WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
The rebranded Commanders travel west for a Christmas Eve encounter, but shouldn't expect much in the way of festive cheer from their hosts. Instead, expect the 49ers to be the ones getting gifts, especially if their defense can stuff QB Taylor Heinicke (or Carson Wentz) and wrap up WR Terry McLaurin. WIN (9-6)
@ LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
New Year's Day in the desert might sound like a celebration gone wrong, but the Niners should again be in good spirits, despite the Raiders having been tipped for another playoff run pre-season. Josh Jacobs and Devante Adams won't frighten San Francisco's D enough to require any additional exertion from Jimmy G, Run CMC and Deebo as the Niners put double figures in the win column. WIN (10-6)
vs ARIZONA CARDINALS
Home again for the regular season finale, and with a playoff berth beckoning, the 49ers are able to enjoy themselves against a Cardinals team that has been a thorn in their side of late. With Kyler Murray and Co likely playing for little more than HC Kliff Kingsbury's job, this should be a happy ending for the hosts. WIN (11-6)
*Win-loss records can fluctuate and are not guaranteed as a team's final numbers may go down as well as up.
Quotes of the week
49ers GM John Lynch on one downside of trading RB Jeff Wilson Jr to Miami.
"That kid’s smile, he lifts me. He’s a warrior and, through some really hard times, he’s just got a smile that makes everyone feel good. He’s got a fight to him, [and] I can’t say enough great things about him. I’m proud of him, I’m happy for him and I’m grateful for everything he brought here.”
MVP of the week
Christian McCaffery, RB
Who else could it be after Run CMC single-handedly beat the other team to make a play for his services post-Panthers? McCaffrey hit the Rams for 18 carries, 94 yards and a touchdown on the ground, 8-for-55 and a receiving touchdown through the airand a 34-yard TD toss to Brandon Aiyuk to became only the fourth player to register that particular hat-trick since 1970.
Stat of the week
84%
Jimmy Garoppolo went 21-of-25 for 235 yards and twotouchdowns against the Rams, achieving a 132.5 passer rating. Notably, his 84.0% completion percentage was not only a personal best, but also the fifth-highest in franchise single-game history behind 49ers legends Steve Young (twice), Joe Montana and John Brodie.
Tweet of the week
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