49ers clinch NFC’s top playoff seed
The San Francisco 49ers have locked in the top seed in the NFC with their 27-10 victory over the Washington Commanders on Sunday. Coach Kyle Shanahan is now faced with the challenge of how to approach the team’s final regular-season game against the Los Angeles Rams.
The victory, combined with Week-17 losses by the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles, means the 49ers have clinched the No. 1 seed with a 12-4 record. This victory comes at the perfect time for the team, as many of their key players have been dealing with injuries and could use the next three weeks to rest and refresh for the playoffs.
Star running back Christian McCaffrey sustained a minor right calf strain during Sunday’s game, prompting Shanahan to pull him from the game for precautionary reasons. This injury may serve as an opportunity for backup Elijah Mitchell to step in and showcase his skills on the field, as he gained a game-high 80 yards and a touchdown on 17 rushing attempts in McCaffrey’s absence.
With their playoff seeding secured, the 49ers have the challenge of determining how to approach their upcoming game against the Rams. Shanahan acknowledged that the team will try to rest some players, but it is impossible to rest everyone. The team will need to carefully consider which players to rest and which to play based on their practice performances leading up to the game.
Regardless of their playoff seeding, Shanahan emphasized the importance of using the upcoming week to practice and improve as a team. The 49ers aim to use their remaining regular-season game as an opportunity to refine their skills and make improvements in preparation for the playoffs.
As the 49ers head into their final regular-season game and prepare for the playoffs, Shanahan and his coaching staff will have crucial decisions to make in determining which players to rest and which to play in the upcoming game against the Rams.