The San Francisco 49ers are heading into their much-needed bye week riding a wave of momentum. After starting the 2025 season with three straight wins and then hitting a midseason lull, they’ve bounced back with another three-game win streak. At 9-4, they sit in the seventh and final NFC playoff spot - and thanks to a Week 14 matchup between the Bears and Packers, they’re guaranteed to move up at least one spot without even stepping on the field.
That’s the kind of positioning you want heading into the final month of the season. But while the team gets a break, there’s no rest for analyzing what’s been working - and what still needs cleaning up - as San Francisco gears up for a playoff push.
From Bottom to Best: Special Teams Has Flipped the Script
Let’s start with what might be the most dramatic turnaround in the entire league: special teams. A year ago, this group was a weekly liability. Kicking woes, punting inconsistency, poor coverage, and flags galore - it was a mess from top to bottom.
Now? It’s a legitimate strength.
First-year special teams coordinator Brant Boyer has completely changed the tone. The kicking game, once a revolving door of missed opportunities, has found stability and precision.
Eddy Piñeiro has been automatic - 22-for-22 on field goals, including a perfect 6-for-6 from beyond 50 yards. And when Piñeiro missed time, veteran Matt Gay stepped in and didn’t miss a beat.
In the return game, Skyy Moore has provided a spark, and backup running back Brian Robinson Jr. has added value as well. The coverage units are disciplined and aggressive, and the penalty flags that once plagued this unit have all but disappeared.
The difference was on full display in Sunday’s win over Cleveland. The 49ers’ average starting field position was 22 yards better than the Browns’ - a massive edge in a game that was all about field position and defensive grit. That’s not just improvement - that’s dominance.
Adversity Has Built a Battle-Tested Team - and Shanahan’s Work Deserves Recognition
Injuries? The 49ers have had their share.
Fred Warner, Nick Bosa, Brock Purdy, George Kittle - all have missed time. And yet, the team has found ways to win.
That’s a credit to the depth of the roster, yes, but also to the leadership of head coach Kyle Shanahan.
Shanahan has pushed the right buttons all season, adapting game plans, trusting his backups, and keeping the locker room focused. Through 13 games, he’s made a strong case for Coach of the Year consideration.
Of course, he’s not the only one in the conversation. Mike Vrabel, in his first season with the Patriots, has orchestrated a seven-win improvement - that’s hard to ignore.
But Shanahan’s ability to keep this team on track through injuries and inconsistency speaks volumes. He’s not just managing games - he’s molding a team that’s peaking at the right time.
Brock Purdy’s 39-Second Drive Was Clutch - But Let’s Not Crown Him Just Yet
There’s no denying that Brock Purdy’s two-minute drill at the end of the first half was impressive. Into the wind, against one of the league’s top defenses, with limited time - he delivered.
Three quick completions set up a field goal that gave San Francisco a 10-8 halftime lead. It was a gutsy call by Shanahan and an even better execution by Purdy.
But let’s pump the brakes on declaring him “back” just yet.
Purdy still needs to stack performances like this one. Sunday’s game was more about steady command than highlight-reel throws.
He didn’t make mistakes, didn’t take sacks, and didn’t turn the ball over - all crucial on a blustery day in Cleveland. He also added a touchdown pass and a rushing score to help seal the win.
It was a strong showing, no question. But for a quarterback with a $265 million contract, the expectation is consistency - and that’s what he’ll need to show over the final four games.
Defense Is Getting Stops - But Tackling Remains an Issue
Holding back-to-back opponents under 10 points is no small feat in today’s NFL. But if there’s one area where the 49ers still have work to do, it’s tackling.
Against Cleveland, they missed 15 tackles, per Pro Football Focus. That’s not a small number.
The Browns racked up 138 rushing yards - and 106 of those came after contact. That’s a red flag for a defense with championship aspirations.
The silver lining? When the 49ers needed a stop, they got it.
A prime example came early in the game, when Malik Mustapha and Jordan Elliott combined to stonewall Quinshon Judkins on a fourth-and-1. That’s the kind of situational toughness that wins playoff games.
But if this defense wants to be elite - not just good - they’ll need to clean up the fundamentals. Wrapping up, finishing tackles, and limiting yards after contact will be key down the stretch.
The 49ers are sitting in a solid spot with four games to go. They’ve weathered injuries, made major improvements in key areas, and shown flashes of the kind of team that can make noise in January. The bye week couldn’t come at a better time - not just to rest up, but to fine-tune the details.
Because if San Francisco can keep building on what they’ve done over the last three weeks, they won’t just sneak into the playoffs - they’ll be a team nobody wants to face once they’re there.