The San Francisco 49ers have had some rough injury luck throughout the first half of the 2024 NFL season.
Reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year Christian McCaffrey missed the first nine weeks of the season, star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is out for the year after tearing his ACL and MCL, and starting defensive tackle Javon Hargrave is out for the season with a partially torn triceps.
Still, the 49ers are in the postseason mix. Can the Niners salvage their season and make the playoffs, even after losing to the Packers in Week 12?
Can the 49ers Make the Playoffs?
Heading into Week 13, the San Francisco 49ers are 5-6 and now have a 18.8% chance to make the playoffs.
They have a <0.1% chance for the 1 seed, a 0.7% chance for the second seed, a 5.4% chance for the third seed, a 2.7% chance for the fourth seed, a 0.3% chance for the fifth seed, a 2.0% chance for the sixth seed, and a 7.7% chance for the seventh seed.
Can the 49ers Win the NFC West?
Here’s what the NFC West race looks like after all the action in Week 12:
- The Arizona Cardinals have a 53.3% chance to win the NFC West.
- The Seattle Seahawks have a 28.6% chance to win the NFC West.
- The Los Angeles Rams have a 9.4% chance to win the NFC West.
- The San Francisco 49ers have a 8.8% chance to win the NFC West.
Current NFC West Standings
- Seattle Seahawks (6-5)
- Arizona Cardinals (6-5)
- Los Angeles Rams (5-6)
- San Francisco 49ers (5-6)
NFC Playoff Race After Week 14
1. Detroit Lions (12-1)
2. Philadelphia Eagles (11-2)
3. Seattle Seahawks (8-5)
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-6)
5. Minnesota Vikings (11-2)
6. Green Bay Packers (9-4)
7. Washington Commanders (8-5)
In The Hunt
8. Los Angeles Rams (7-6)
9. Atlanta Falcons (6-7)
10. Arizona Cardinals (6-7)
11. San Francisco 49ers (6-7)
12. New Orleans Saints (5-8)
13. Dallas Cowboys (5-8)
14. Chicago Bears (4-9)
15. Carolina Panthers (3-10)
Eliminated From Playoffs
16. New York Giants (2-11)
49ers’ Super Bowl Chances in Week 12
Can the 49ers win the Super Bowl? The PFN Playoff Predictor projects that San Francisco has a 1.1% chance to win it all.
49ers’ Remaining Schedule
- Week 13: at Buffalo Bills
- Week 14: vs. Chicago Bears
- Week 15: vs. Los Angeles Rams
- Week 16: at Miami Dolphins
- Week 17: vs. Detroit Lions
- Week 18: at Arizona Cardinals
What PFN Predicted for the 49ers vs. Packers Matchup
Injuries continue to afflict the San Francisco 49ers.
While the club finally got RB Christian McCaffrey back in Week 10, he hasn’t looked like the same player through two weeks. Meanwhile, quarterback Brock Purdy, who opened the week dealing with shoulder soreness after Week 11’s loss to the Seahawks, was ruled out of Sunday’s game on Friday’s final injury report, leaving journeyman Brandon Allen as the starter versus Green Bay.
Fortunately, All-Pro tight end George Kittle is expected to return in Week 12 after sitting out on Sunday due to a hamstring injury. He’ll become a valuable red-zone weapon and target for Allen against the Green Bay Packers this week, while his presence should also help correct any problems in San Francisco’s run-blocking plan. The Packers rank fifth worst in receiving DVOA against tight ends, so Kittle could be set for a productive day through the air.
Sunday will mark the first time Jordan Love has faced the 49ers since the Packers let a seven-point third-quarter lead evaporate in January’s NFC Championship Game. Will Love get his revenge this time around?
Green Bay hung on by the skin of its teeth in Week 11, blocking what would have been a game-winning field goal as time expired against the Bears. While the Packers have homefield advantage this week, the 49ers have more on the line.
With Kittle likely returning, and CMC entering his third week back on the field, San Francisco’s offense appeared well on its way to rounding back into form. Of course, with Allen now starting instead of Purdy, there could certainly be a temporary snag in that progress.
PFN Prediction: 49ers 26, Packers 23