SANTA CLARA — The 49ers are yesterday’s news.
They’re hardly a blip on the NFL radar screen, and justifiably so, after a 38-10 loss to the Green Bay Packers Sunday at Lambeau Field.
While Fox analyst and NFL great Tom Brady was waxing poetic on how teams identify themselves this time of year, the 49ers took their biggest step backward. Some of it had to do with health, more of it had to do with how poorly they played in a game that mattered.
As the 49ers prepare to face a road opponent even more difficult than Green Bay in the Buffalo Bills, the status of players such as quarterback Brock Purdy, edge rusher Nick Bosa and left tackle Trent Williams remains unknown.
It’s the start of Week 13. A year ago, the 49ers were on a crusade, preparing to visit Philadelphia in a test of everything they hold dear. The 49ers had fallen 31-7 to the Eagles when quarterback Brock Purdy’s elbow was shredded on a sack by Haason Reddick.
Philadelphia was 10-1, the 49ers 8-3. The 49ers won 42-19, scoring touchdowns on six consecutive possessions. The 49ers coasted to the NFC West title and the No. 1 seed. Philadelphia went into the tank, losing five of their last six and then getting hammered by Tampa Bay in the first round of the playoffs.
The 49ers never looked better, and in some ways they weren’t, even though they lost Super Bowl XVIII in overtime to the Kansas City Chiefs.
But they were the talk of the NFL after beating Philadelphia, all but being fitted for Super Bowl rings.
Now the 49ers appear injured, vulnerable and flawed at 5-6 with another monumental road assignment against Buffalo, which is 9-2 and coming off a bye.
Although the 49ers don’t appear to be playing well enough to capitalize on it, they have one thing going for them. They’re members of the NFC West and winning a division title as well as a first-round home game is still on the table, even if their wild-card chances appear remote.
The status of 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) will be determined this week for their Week 13 game in Buffalo. Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group
Here’s a look at the rest of the NFC West heading into Week 13:
Seattle (6-5): The Seahawks are 1-1 against the 49ers and beat Arizona 16-6 Sunday a week after defeating the 49ers 20-17 at Levi’s Stadium.
Remaining games: at N.Y. Jets (3-8), at Arizona (6-5), vs. Green Bay (8-3), vs. Minnesota (9-2), at Chicago (4-7), at L.A. Rams (5-6).
Arizona (6-5): The Cardinals came from behind to beat the 49ers 24-23 at Levi’s Stadium and will close out the season against them at home. The loss to Seattle was a setback for Kyler Murray and Co.
Remaining games: at Minnesota (9-2), vs. Seattle (6-5), vs. New England (3-9), at Carolina (3-8), at L.A. Rams (5-6), vs. 49ers (5-6).
L.A. Rams (5-6): Gutted by Saquon Barkley Sunday night, the Rams beat the 49ers 27-24 at Levi’s Stadium in Week 3. They close the season with NFC West home games against Arizona and Seattle.
Remaining games: at New Orleans (4-7), vs. Buffalo (9-2), at 49ers (5-6), at N.Y. Jets (3-8), vs. Arizona (6-5), vs. Seattle (6-5).
The 49ers, who will determine during the week who is healthy enough to play in their next game, visit another marquee opponent in Buffalo, currently the AFC’s No. 2 seed.
Here’s how the regular season finishes for the 49ers:
at Buffalo (9-2): The Bills are coming off a bye and are the No. 2 AFC seed behind Kansas City (10-1)
vs Chicago (4-7): Curious to see how the 49ers are greeted at home, especially if they lose to the Bills.
vs. L.A. Rams (5-6): A division home game where the 49ers had better win given the earlier giveaway in Los Angeles.
at Miami (5-6): Currently the No. 8 AFC seed — one spot outside the playoff picture — but playing much better since the return of Tua Tagovaiola.
vs. Detroit (10-1): One can only imagine the delight the Lions would take in knocking out the 49ers after their NFC Championship Game heartbreak at Levi’s last season.
at Arizona (6-5): If things break right for the 49ers (meaning they have to close with a rush) this could determine their playoff fate.
NFC playoff seedings through Week 12:
1. Detroit (10-1): This year’s version of the 49ers in terms of how they looked heading into Week 13.
2. Philadelphia (9-2): When the Eagles signed Saquon Barkley as a free agent, it had the same effect as Christian McCaffrey getting traded to the 49ers.
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3. Seattle (6-5): Seeded at this spot by virtue of division lead via tiebreakers. Might be too defense-oriented to survive in a postseason.
4. Atlanta (6-5): Still precariously atop the NFC South although they’ve slipped of late.
5. Minnesota (9-2): The Vikings keep winning under Kevin O’Connell with Sam Darnold at quarterback.
6. Green Bay (8-3): The Packers beat up on the 49ers physically and, if Jordan Love avoids turnovers, will be a team nobody wants to face.
7. Washington (7-5): Lost a wild one to Dallas but of more concern is rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels appearing to descend to earth.
Others: 8. Arizona (6-5), 9. Tampa Bay (5-6), 10. L.A. Rams (5-6), 11. 49ers (5-6), 12. New Orleans (4-7), 13. Chicago (4-7), 14. Dallas (4-7), 15. Carolina (3-8), 16. N.Y. Giants (2-9)
