A month ago, it was unthinkable that the 49ers would be able to avoid the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys during the NFL playoffs.
When those three teams appeared to be the best in the NFC, not too long ago, that would have seemed like the perfect scenario for the 49ers.
But it has happened, so perhaps the 49ers are not as fortunate as they initially thought.
After the first round of the playoffs, it was evident that the Eagles and Cowboys had no place among the NFC’s top four teams.
For the third straight season, the 49ers will not have the chance to end the Cowboys’ season. The Green Bay Packers handled that on Sunday, defeating Jerry Jones’ struggling squad.
The Eagles were defeated by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 32-9, on Monday in the postseason.
The 49ers were two games behind the Eagles in the NFC standings and they were 10-1 when they made their trip to Philadelphia on December 3. At the time, many people regarded Philadelphia as the NFL’s best team.
Not too long ago, one could have assumed that the 49ers were getting a free pass to the Super Bowl if the Eagles and Cowboys decided to watch the remainder of the playoffs from home.
Furthermore, although the 49ers are the clear favorites to represent the NFC in Las Vegas, it is important to give serious consideration to the three remaining teams: Green Bay, Detroit, and Tampa Bay.
After winning the playoffs, each of those teams appeared to be at the top of their game. The Lions, fresh off an emotional victory over Matthew Stafford and the hottest Los Angeles Rams, will host the Buccaneers in one conference semifinal.
