The San Francisco 49ers have won eight successive games. The last time they achieved that feat, back in 2019, they went all the way to Super Bowl LIV. That campaign concluded in heartbreaking fashion but there’s increasing evidence to suggest this may well end up being a fairytale year for the Niners.
Last Saturday’s clash with the Washington Commanders did provide a sterner test than the Niners have been used to in recent weeks, with San Francisco going into half-time tied at 7-7 following an opening two quarters in which their overall dominance was undermined by sloppy mistakes and the ability of Washington quarterback Taylor Heinicke to make things happen on third down.
But in the second half the 49ers ensured there was never any chance their Christmas would be marred by a defeat, as both offense and defense took command and helped San Francisco to an ultimately comfortable 37-20 victory that improved their record to 11-4, keeping alive the hope of the third-seeded Niners overhauling the second-seeded Minnesota Vikings (12-3) or — less likely — top seeds the Philadelphia Eagles (13-2) to secure at least one more home game in the NFC playoffs.
