The 49ers Can Boost Playoff Odds With Win Over Bucs
The San Francisco 49ers are 4-4 entering week 10 of the NFL season. It's been a season of injuries for the Super Bowl hopefuls, with running back Christian McCaffrey and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk spending time on injured reserve.
The good news for the Niners is that McCaffrey is expected to make his season debut this weekend against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The superstar's return couldn't come at a better time, as this weekend's matchup could help San Francisco advance to the playoffs.
How The 49ers Playoff Odds Could Change This Weekend
The 49ers are ninth in the NFC behind the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears for the seventh and final wildcard spot. With three losses to conference opponents already on their record, San Francisco can't afford to lose against the Bucs.
According to Next Gen Stats, the 49ers currently have a 54% chance of making the postseason. If they were to beat Tampa Bay on Sunday, those odds would improve to 64%. Should the Buccaneers win, the Niners would be left with a 35% chance of playing in the playoffs.
Tampa Bay is 4-5 after losing in overtime to the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night. They're second in the NFC South behind the Atlanta Falcons. Although the Bucs are 11th in the NFC standings, Next Gen Stats gives them a 41% chance of making the playoffs. That number would improve to 62% with a win in week 10, and it would fall to 31% with a loss.
49ers Remaining Schedule
Following the Week 10 meeting with the Bucs, San Francisco hosts the NFC West rival Seattle Seahawks. The Niners have dominated against the Seahawks, winning the last six outings. San Francisco then plays back-to-back road games against the Green Bay Packers and Buffalo Bills.
The rest of the regular season looks like this: vs. Chicago Bears (Week 14), vs. Los Angeles Rams (Week 15), at Miami Dolphins (Week 16), vs. Detroit Lions (Week 17), and they wrap up the regular season on the road in Arizona in Week 18.
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