This week's game against the Packers is very winnable. The Niners will be back at home...and while Mr. Favre has a history of playing well at Candlestick, these are not your older brother's Packers.
Alex Smith has to have a good game on Sunday. The pressure's on, lil' buddy. Smith has to throw deep and connect with Bryant, Battle and Davis. We know Gore will do his thing, if healthy.
The Niners are the most banged up they've been all year (hence why they cut Tony Parrish). Derek Smith will be out, Adam Snyder may be gone for the year, Shawntae Spencer will probably rest one more week, Eric Johnson will not play...but even these injuries are not crippling like recent season's past. The Niners not only can but should win on Sunday. If not, the season is over.
With four games remaining, it's too early to figure out who to root for and against in the NFC, as many of the Niners' competitors play each other in the coming weeks. Personally, I think the Falcons may be the best of the wild card contenders...so I'd certainly root against them. I'm not concerned with the Rams or Vikings--just don't think they are good enough to pose a real threat. The Eagles play three road games in a row, so I'm not too concerned there either...but the Giants have a talented team if Eli plays like he did last week. And, of course, the Panthers defense makes Carolina a threat.
So, I'd root against Atlanta, New York and Carolina, as far as the playoff picture goes. If two of those three teams win a couple games, the Niners may be history, even with a win this week and an upset over Seattle next Thursday.
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