Tuesday travels among LA Rams rivals in the NFC West

49ers

The San Francisco 49ers are 4-5, and the team’s playoff hopes are already in the intensive care unit. Yes, the 49ers are just two spots from the seventh and final berth of the NFC playoff invitations, but let’s be a bit realistic. This is a battered and devastated team.  Due to injury, COVID-19, and poor play, the 49ers have a trio of quarterbacks with game experience this season.

The team has tried to rally behind Jimmy Garoppolo, Nick Mullens, and C.J. Beathard this season, only to win two consecutive games. The only thing standing between the 49ers and complete oblivion right nos is a better than average defense that has managed to an average of just 23 points. But even the resiliency of that defense is showing wear and tear, as they have allowed 37 and 34 points in the past two games.

First place team, first-class headache

The San Francisco 49ers were all the rage in 2019. As if stealing a page out of the LA Rams history book from 2019, the 49ers ended the season at 13-3, blew through the competition in the playoffs, won the NFC Championship, only to lose in the Super Bowl. But the 49ers would be back in 2020, right? Well, it’s not that easy.  First-place teams are immediately thrust into a schedule the following year to face other first-place teams.  And so, the 49ers face the Green Bay Packers and the New Orleans Saints this year.

Plus there is the fact that a Super Bowl team plays an additional month of competitive football. The Rams suffered from the effect in 2019. The 49ers are suffering from the effect in 2020. And so, the 49ers will enjoy their bye week after facing the New Orleans Saints.  They could emerge at 4-6, with games against the Rams and the Buffalo Bills.  Is 6-10 possible for the once-mighty 49ers?  Absolutely. they are very much at risk of free fall this year.