Coming off their bye week, the San Francisco 49ers are staring down the final stretch of the regular season with everything still in play - the NFC West crown, a top playoff seed, and a chance to make serious noise in January. At 9-4, they're right in the thick of the NFC race, and while their path hasn't been the smoothest, the mission remains the same: stack wins, control what they can, and let the standings sort themselves out.
The final four games kick off with a matchup against the Tennessee Titans - a team trending toward the top of the 2025 NFL Draft order. For San Francisco, this is less about the opponent and more about execution.
The bye week couldn’t have come at a better time. Key players got some much-needed rest, and the team is gearing up for a playoff push with fresh legs and renewed focus.
So, how does the national media view the 49ers heading into the home stretch? Let’s break it down.
ESPN: 49ers Hold Steady at No. 7
Despite the injuries and inconsistencies on both sides of the ball, the 49ers are still sitting comfortably inside the top 10 of ESPN’s power rankings. Nick Wagoner highlights one of the more surprising developments of the season: San Francisco’s scoring defense.
The Niners are currently ranked eighth in points allowed per game - a stark contrast to last season, when they finished 29th in that category. What makes it even more impressive? They’ve done it without cornerstone defenders Fred Warner and Nick Bosa for most of the year.
Sure, they’re not lighting up the advanced metrics - ranking in the bottom half of the league in expected points added, takeaways, and defensive efficiency - but they’ve managed to keep games close and give their offense a chance. That resilience has been a huge part of why they’re still in prime playoff position.
NFL.com: 49ers at No. 8, Still Dangerous
Eric Edholm has San Francisco at No. 8, just behind the Chicago Bears, but he’s not counting them out - not by a long shot. He points out that the 49ers went into the bye on a three-game winning streak, and while they’re not expecting any major players to return from injury, the week off may have been just what the doctor ordered.
With Kyle Juszczyk’s status still uncertain, the offense may need to get creative, but the real benefit of the bye was getting Christian McCaffrey a breather. He’s been the engine of this offense all season, and keeping him fresh down the stretch is critical.
Three of the final four games are at Levi’s Stadium, and the lone road trip - to Indianapolis - looks a bit more manageable after Daniel Jones’ injury. If the 49ers can ride this momentum, they’ve got a real shot at running the table and maybe even sneaking into that No. 1 seed conversation.
Bleacher Report: Up Two Spots to No. 11
Brent Sobleski sees San Francisco trending up, bumping them up two spots and forecasting a playoff berth locked in before their Week 18 showdown with Seattle.
The Niners have already weathered the worst - losing Warner and Bosa for the season and seeing Brock Purdy miss time - but they’ve kept their head above water. At 9-4, they’re in a strong spot with games coming up against the Titans and a Colts team missing its starting quarterback.
If they take care of business, there’s a very real scenario where they’re 11-4 heading into that final divisional clash. That’s the kind of position any team would take, especially after the injury gauntlet they’ve been through.
CBS Sports: Up One Spot to No. 8
Pete Prisco echoes a familiar sentiment: the bye came at the perfect time, and the next two games offer a golden opportunity. With a soft stretch ahead, San Francisco has a clear path to locking up a playoff spot.
Prisco notes the adversity this team has faced - and overcome. Injuries have forced the Niners to dig deep into their depth chart, test their resilience, and lean on their culture. That’s often what separates playoff teams from the rest of the pack.
Big Picture: The Bye Week That Might Change Everything
When the schedule dropped, a Week 14 bye raised some eyebrows. That’s late - especially for a team that plays a physical brand of football and leans heavily on a few key stars.
But now? It might be the perfect setup.
The 49ers are rested, focused, and have a favorable schedule to finish the regular season. The NFC is still wide open, and while the Rams and Seahawks are lurking, San Francisco controls its own destiny.
As Mike Florio put it, “They badly needed a break.” And now that they’ve had it, the 49ers are locked in for the final push. The injuries are real, the road hasn’t been easy, but this team has the pieces - and the grit - to make a serious run.
Now it’s time to see if they can finish the job.