In what was supposed to be a year of vengeance, the 49ers are sinking deeper than anyone could have predicted. All the optimism they had at the start of this campaign came crashing down in Green Bay. Suffering their worst defeat since 2018 by a margin of 28 points has left the 49ers dwelling at the bottom of their division. Well, that isn’t the place the Niners would like to stay, with only a handful of games remaining.

Dropping down to 5-6 for the season, the 49ers are barely holding on to their playoff hopes after the Packers drubbing. As per ESPN’s Football Power Index, the 49ers only have a 17% chance of securing a playoff berth. And their chances of winning the NFC West are even lower at 13.6%. Elsewhere, the Cardinals, standing at 6-5 after 11 games, have a 49% chance to top their division. Well, a wild-card entry that the 49ers could be aiming for stands at just 3.9%.

Even their head coach, Kyle Shanahan, knows the grim chances they are clinging on, “We know what we got ahead of us. We know exactly what the playoff situation is. That is what it is.” So Shanahan’s only focus right now remains the Bills, whom they would be facing on Sunday Night, “But really all that matters is this week. When you do need to go on a run and put a lot of wins to even think of that, then you better make sure you’re only thinking of one thing, and that’s Buffalo.”

As for the Bills, they are riding high on confidence after snapping the Chiefs’ 9-0 record in week 11. With a record of 9-2, the Bills are yet to lose at home. They are averaging 29.1 points per game while allowing just 19.5 this season. Reading through the Bills record could already bring the Niners on their knees. However, their TE George Kittle is still looking forward to the playoffs after a 38-10 loss to the Packers, “Definitely an uphill grind. I guess we’ll see what we’re made of.” 

While Shanahan and the 49ers try to pick themselves up after the Green Bay horror, their players’ reaction said it all.

49ers players left soul searching after Packers humiliation

Although the 49ers were missing out on key players like Brock Purdy, Trent Williams and Nick Bosa on Sunday, losing in such a way wasn’t something that anyone could have predicted. Their defense in Green Bay was ripped to shreds as it gave up 23 carries for 125 yards within the first half. And don’t forget the two TDs and a field goal that gave the Packers a resounding 10-point lead going into the second half. Well, this got their linebacker, Fred Warner, calling the performance an ‘utter embarrassment’, “This is probably one of the worst ones I’ve been a part of. It is embarrassing. You’ve got to take it on the chin, take it like a man, and move on.”

The 49ers thought their last season’s Offensive Player of the Year, Christian McCaffrey’s return, would give them a much-needed end zone boost. However, it didn’t pan out the way the Niners had hoped for. Instead, McCaffrey averaged just 93.7 scrimmage yards for the last three games. And guess what? He didn’t scored a single TD. Although some might argue that injuries have plagued his usual electrifying form, the 49ers also have problems elsewhere.

They rank 21st for conceding penalties this season. With a minus 8.31 expected points on offensive penalties and minus 8.21 on defensive penalties, the 49ers are shooting themselves in the foot. This got Shanahan to point out their problems with penalties. “We’ve got to be much better with the penalties. When you are missing some guys, you do have to be better.” 

Well, it remains to be seen what the Niners can bring to the table against the Bills next weekend. It would be do-or-die for them, starting from Buffalo.