Who should the San Francisco 49ers be rooting for in Week 9 as they enjoy a much-needed bye?
The San Francisco 49ers will return from their bye next week to prepare for a stretch run that will hopefully go much better than their first eight weeks of the season. In the meantime, the Niners have the luxury of relaxing and watching the Week 9 slate from the comfort of their own homes. But […]
The San Francisco 49ers will return from their bye next week to prepare for a stretch run that will hopefully go much better than their first eight weeks of the season.
In the meantime, the Niners have the luxury of relaxing and watching the Week 9 slate from the comfort of their own homes.
But who should they, and the 49ers fans, be rooting for in the matchups that could have an influence on the NFC playoff race?
49ers' bye week rooting guide
Los Angeles Rams (3-4) at Seattle Seahawks (4-4)
It might be difficult for 49ers fans to stomach, but, in the all-NFC West matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and the Los Angeles Rams, it makes more sense to root for Seattle.
The Seahawks would improve to 5-4 with a win, but the 49ers have a tiebreaker over Seattle following their road win against the Seahawks in Week 6. The 49ers have the opportunity to sweep Seattle in Week 11.
Were the Rams to prevail, they would move above the Niners in the division at 4-4 with a tiebreaker over the 49ers on account of their dramatic Week 3 win against San Francisco. Of the two options, having the Rams bottom of the division at 3-5 is preferable.
Chicago Bears (4-3) at Arizona Cardinals (4-4)
A Bears defeat to the Cardinals would help the 49ers’ hopes of a potential wild card berth by dropping Chicago to 4-4 and hurting its conference record.
However, the 49ers’ best hope of making the playoffs runs through the NFC West, so a loss for an Arizona team that has a surprise tiebreaker over San Francisco is what the Niners need to be rooting for in a potentially compelling battle between Caleb Williams and Kyler Murray.
The others
There are easier decisions for 49ers fans for games involving other NFC teams.
A shock Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6) win over the Philadelphia Eagles (5-2) would help them in terms of the wild card picture, and it would be similarly helpful in that regard if the Dallas Cowboys dropped to 3-5 with defeat to the Atlanta Falcons (5-3).
San Francisco returns to action next week when the 49ers visit the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Niners will be in a better spot for that game in the wild card hunt if the Kansas City Chiefs can do them a favor by dropping the Buccaneers to 4-5 on Monday Night Football.
