What’s on the 49ers’ Christmas list? Five big wishes as NFL playoffs near
Christmas is here, and the San Francisco 49ers are exactly where they want to be: in the thick of a postseason run after clinching a spot in the playoffs over the weekend.
So we made a Christmas list for head coach Kyle Shanahan’s team just in time for the holiday ahead of Sunday’s pivotal game against the Chicago Bears.
No. 1 seed under the tree
The 49ers would clinch the top seed plus a first-round bye in the NFC playoffs with wins in their final two games, both at home. They first host the Bears, the No. 2 seed in the NFC at 5:20 p.m. on Sunday Night Football, and then face the currently top-seeded Seattle Seahawks on Jan. 4.
Earning the top seed has proved invaluable to San Francisco in recent seasons. Both their Super Bowl trips after the 2019 and 2023 campaigns came as the No. 1 seed, and 50% of No. 1 seeds have reached the Super Bowl since the 14-team playoff format was instituted in 2020.
Additionally, earning the No. 1 seed would mean the 49ers wouldn’t have to get on a plane for the rest of the season. They’d have home field advantage throughout the playoffs, and Super Bowl LX will be held at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara Feb. 8, should they get there.
Healthy ankle in Kittle’s stocking
All-Pro tight end George Kittle exited Monday’s win over the Indianapolis Colts in the second half with an ankle injury and told reporters afterward he didn’t think it was a high-ankle sprain, which are often four-to-six week injuries. With two weeks remaining in the regular season and the No. 1 seed on the line, Kittle’s absence could have serious ramifications on the season.
But the worst-case scenario may have been avoided when it comes to Kittle’s ankle. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Tuesday that testing revealed a “mid-to-low” ankle sprain. Kittle’s status will likely be a question mark going into Sunday’s game against Chicago, while they hope he’ll be available for the game against Seattle.
Kittle over his last six games has 40 catches for 499 yards and 5 touchdowns. He missed Weeks 2 through 6 with a hamstring strain.
1,000-1,000 season on the table
Christian McCaffrey is already one of just three players in NFL history who had 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in the same season. But with a strong finish, he could become the first player in league history to do it twice.
McCaffrey needs 151 receiving yards over the final two games to get 1,000 after reaching 1,039 rushing yards with his 117-yard performance in Monday’s win. He would need to average 76 receiving yards in the final two games. It’s a tall order: he’s eclipsed 70 yards just five times in 15 games this season.
Marshall Faulk (2000) and former 49ers great Roger Craig (1985) are the only two other players with 1,000-1,000 seasons. McCaffrey did it with the Carolina Panthers in 2019 when he notched 1,387 rushing yards and 1,005 receiving. McCaffrey is also only 112 yards shy of his third season with 2,000 yards from scrimmage.
Carols singing ‘TOUCHDOWN SAN-FRAN-CISCO’
The 49ers early this month announced their legendary radio voice Greg Papa will be back in the play-by-play booth calling games starting Sunday. Papa missed the first 15 games after being diagnosed with cancer, which is currently in remission.
Papa, 63, has been with the 49ers since 2019 after spending decades in the same role with the Oakland Raiders prior to their move to Las Vegas. He was diagnosed with lymphoblastic leukemia in his brain and spinal column and hospitalized over the summer.
In Papa’s stead, the 49ers had a group of replacements headlined by Guy Haberman, Justin Allegri, Troy Clardy, Carlos Ramirez and Jack Smith.
Hearing Papa’s signature touchdown call will be a gift to all football fans this holiday season and into January.
Presents from Purdy
The 49ers will likely only go as far as quarterback Brock Purdy will take them, particularly while their defense is without star linebacker Fred Warner and former Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa.
Purdy has been up to the task in recent weeks. He tossed a career-best five touchdown passes Monday night against the Colts, becoming the first San Francisco quarterback to throw five since Joe Montana had six against the Atlanta Falcons in October 1990. Steve Young also threw six in the Super Bowl XXIX win over the San Diego Chargers in 1995.
Monday’s career night earned Purdy the NFC Offensive Player of the Week honor.
Purdy no longer appears hampered by the turf toe injury he suffered in the season opener back in September. The 49ers are 5-0 since he returned to the starting lineup in Week 11, and he’s thrown 13 touchdowns to four interceptions and taken just five sacks. His 75.8 QBR is the highest of his career and slightly better than the 73.4 clip from 2023 when he helped the 49ers reach the Super Bowl.
