Closing Two Video games Are ‘Great Preparation’ as 49ers Gear Up for Playoff Run

The San Francisco 49ers are formally again within the postseason, however for offensive lineman Dominick Puni, the second hit lengthy earlier than the staff ever took the sector in Week 16.

While the 49ers waited in Indianapolis for his or her “Monday Night Football” matchup in opposition to the Colts, their playoff destiny was determined a whole lot of miles away at Ford Field. Needing assist to clinch a postseason berth, San Francisco received precisely that when the Pittsburgh Steelers shocked the Detroit Lions, 29–24, in probably the most dramatic finishes of the season.

Puni watched it unfold from the staff lodge and felt each second of it.

“My heart was racing,” Puni mentioned. “Because I’ve never been to the playoffs.”

Late within the fourth quarter, Pittsburgh missed a discipline purpose that may have put them forward by eight, giving the Lions one final likelihood to steal the win. On the ultimate snap, large receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown lateraled the ball to quarterback Jared Goff as time expired, showing to attain a landing, till a late offensive go interference flag wiped it away and ended the sport.

For Puni and his teammates, the feelings swung wildly in actual time.

“They scored, and then there was a late flag and we were like, ‘Whoa, whoa, whoa, what happened?'” Puni mentioned. “I swear it was the longest three, four plays I’ve ever seen in my life. The refs were just talking it out, talking it out. And then all we could hear was that the game was over, and we just started celebrating.”

The Steelers upset formally despatched the 49ers to the playoffs because of the NFL’s tiebreaking procedures, earlier than the 49ers ever performed their very own Week 16 sport.

“It just got us pumped up,” Puni mentioned. “A little more energy. It was nice.”

The 49ers made positive that momentum carried over. On Monday evening, they defeated the Indianapolis Colts, 48–27, successful their sixth sport within the final seven outings and remaining undefeated in primetime this season. The victory additionally saved San Francisco accountable for its postseason future.

Entering Week 17, the 49ers sit at 11–4, at present the No. 5 seed, with a transparent path to the highest. Win out, and the 49ers would declare each the NFC West title and the NFC’s No. 1 seed, together with a first-round bye straight to the Divisional Round.

For Puni, these last two regular-season video games really feel like extra than simply stepping stones.

“These are kind of like playoff games,” he mentioned. “I believe it is nice preparation for the playoffs. It’s very thrilling.

“We all know what time we’re on,” Puni added. “We’re in the playoffs, and that’s a good thing to have, but it’s not our ultimate goal. The one seed is on the line, and we all know that.”

That urgency shall be examined instantly in opposition to the Chicago Bears, who enter Levi’s® Stadium because the NFC’s No. 2 seed and one in all 4 groups with 11 wins. Chicago can clinch the NFC North with a win.

For the 49ers, they now face the sort of stakes that outline postseason soccer. Their last two regular-season video games come in opposition to the present high two seeds within the NFC, Chicago and Seattle, providing precisely the sort of high-pressure atmosphere the staff may use earlier than January soccer begins.