The San Francisco 49ers will get a week off for their Bye in Week 9, but that doesn’t mean the NFL slate of games won’t have an impact on them.
There’s not much separation to gain or lose given where the 49ers sit in the standings. They’re at 4-4 through eight games and in a logjam for the NFC West lead or a wild card spot. No matter how things get sliced, San Francisco will control its own destiny when it returns to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 10.
On the other hand, every game is going to matter down the stretch and one win or loss may determine whether the 49ers land in the postseason. With that in mind, we ran through the Week 9 NFL schedule and found the games that matter to the 49ers, and which teams the 49ers should want to see win:
Cowboys (3-4) at Falcons (5-3)
Oct 27, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
49ers want: Falcons win
First, any time the Cowboys lose is fun for 49ers fans. However, with such a logjam at the back end of the playoff hunt in the NFC, getting separation from a team would be helpful for San Francisco. A Dallas loss puts them a full game back of the 49ers, and the 49ers have the head-to-head tiebreaker.
Commanders (6-2) at Giants (2-6)
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – OCTOBER 28: Tyrone Tracy Jr. #29 of the New York Giants runs the ball during the fourth quarter against Alex Highsmith #56 and Joey Porter Jr. #24 of the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on October 28, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
49ers want: Giants win
We’re a long ways off from seeding really mattering for the 49ers, but the NFC East leader having three losses could be potentially helpful down the road.
Bears (4-3) at Cardinals (4-4)
Oct 27, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) passes the ball as Washington Commanders linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. (6) defends during the fourth quarter at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
49ers want: Bears win
This is an easy one. An NFC West loss is a good one for San Francisco.
Jaguars (2-6) at Eagles (5-2)
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker (44) can’t stop Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis (2) during the third quarter of an NFL football matchup Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Packers edged the Jaguars 30-27 on a last-second field goal. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
49ers want: Jaguars win
An Eagles win puts them at 6-2 and atop the NFC East, thus defeating our earlier stated goal of the NFC East leader having three losses.
Rams (3-4) at Seahawks (4-4)
Oct 27, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) rushes against Buffalo Bills linebacker Dorian Williams (42) during the second quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
49ers want: Seahawks win
The 49ers have a game in hand against Seattle thanks to their head-to-head win earlier this season. Separation from the Rams is more important for the 49ers right now than picking up more ground on the Seahawks.
Colts (4-4) at Vikings (5-2) [Sunday night]
Oct 13, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Joe Flacco (15) passes the ball against the Tennessee Titans during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
49ers want: Colts win
Virtually any loss by an NFC Wild card team helps the 49ers because it lowers the bar they’ll need to clear to make the tournament. Ideally they’d win the NFC West, but there’s a real chance they’re battling for one of those wild card spots. A crash from the Vikings would help.
Buccaneers (4-4) at Chiefs (7-0) [Monday Night]
Oct 27, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy (1) scores on a 9-yard touchdown reception against Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jack Jones (18) in the second half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
49ers want: Chiefs win
It may be hard for a 49ers fan to pull for the Chiefs, but a Buccaneers loss puts the 49ers ahead of them in the playoff race going into a Week 10 matchup in Tampa Bay.