As Rams cling to dimming playoff hopes, 49ers get dose of harsh reality

Mathematically speaking, the LA Rams are still in the hunt for the NFC West Division title. For that matter, every team in the NFC West Division is still in the hunt to win the division. With five games left in the season, the Seattle Seahawks (7-5) only lead the LA Rams (6-6) and Arizona Cardinals (6-6) by one game and lead the San Francisco 49ers (5-7) by two games.

So no, there is no chest pounding or even a huge sigh of relief in the near future for fans of any team in the division. It's far from over, and there are plenty of games to be played.

Still, there is the matter of projections and expectations to reckon with. When the Rams lost former All-Pro DT Aaron Donald, many NFL analysts viewed the team as an 8-9 win team. So far, that projection appears to be fairly accurate (although it was disappointing when made before the season began).

On the other hand, no NFL analyst dared to say anything remotely negative about the defending NFC Champion San Francisco 49ers. Despite plenty of off-season drama, much of which began after their Super Bowl loss by firing then DC Steve Wilks, the team has had a cascade of issues ranging from paying players to dealing with injuries. And the 49ers fans' reactions to losing in Week 3 to the LA Rams were priceless.

That loss dropped the 49ers to a record of 1-2. Since that time, the 49ers have played to a record of 4-5, including three consecutive losses. While the Niners fans still have reason to hope, NFL Sports Show host Chase Senior has seen and heard enough. Typically a staunch supporter of players like QB Brock Purdy and DE Nick Bosa, Senior has changed his tune in December to splash a bit of cold reality on 49ers fans who mock anyone who tries to point out flaws and challenges with the team so far in 2024.

And there are quite a few:

The 49ers are not living up to preseason projections. And the defense, once among the Top-three tier of the NFL just one season ago, has plummeted to 24th in terms of points allowed, and that's a problem.

Of course, any team competing in the NFC West still has a very real chance of competing in the postseason. That team simply has to get hot and string together a winning streak to close out 2024. But the 49ers still have some tough teams to face on their schedule. Unless their fortune changes, they will remain on the outside looking in.

As always, thanks for reading.

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