San Francisco (10-4) still has a shot at the NFC West division crown, albeit a slim-to-none chance. If the Seattle Seahawks (12-2) lose their remaining two games against the Arizona Cardinals and St. Louis Rams and the 49ers win their remaining two against the Atlanta Falcons and Arizona, that West crown could be realized.
But, Seattle plays at CenturyLink Field both games – where they have been unbeatable all season – and haven’t lost two games in a row in 2013.
Still, San Francisco can finish as high as the five-seed if they win out and Carolina loses a game. The Panthers have the Saints at home, and the Falcons on the road.
49ers’ running back Frank Gore doesn’t seem to be concerned with all of those scenarios, though, and finds it encouraging that his teammates seem to be gelling at the exact right time of the year.
"“It’s all about timing,” Gore said, per Matt Maiocco at CSN Bay Area. “We’re hitting the right stride at the right time. Crab’s getting better. Vernon is being himself. Anquan, me, O-line, Kap running and throwing. Even Kendall and LaMichael coming in and making plays. So that’s big for this team, especially at this time.“We just want to get in the tournament. We just want to get in there and do what we do.”"
If Arizona loses on Sunday to the Seahawks, the 49ers will clinch a playoff spot before they even play on Monday Night Football. In the midst of a 4-game winning streak that has seen the offense become more diverse with the addition of wide receiver Michael Crabtree and a seemingly renewed confidence from QB Colin Kaepernick, things do appear to be coming together at the right time for San Francisco.