The 49ers had, by opponent record, the toughest three-game stretch in NFL history between Weeks 12 and 14. It was a set of games that was going to make or break San Francisco’s spot as a Super Bowl contender. They won two of the three thanks to a 48-46 come-from-behind victory Sunday against the Saints.
San Francisco’s schedule through 11 weeks wasn’t particularly impressive, although they were dominating much of it. Now there’s no more excuses for not putting the 49ers on the short list of Super Bowl contenders.
They trounced the Packers 37-8 at Levi’s Stadium. They hung around with the red-hot Ravens until a last-second, game-winning 49-yard field goal sealed the victory for Baltimore. Then Sunday they went to New Orleans and went blow for blow with the Saints and came out on top in the Superdome against the team that was supposed to be better.
Winning one of the three would’ve had the 49ers in position to take the NFC West and win the NFC’s No.1 seed. Instead, they won two and proved they can hang with any team, and win a close one on the road against an elite team.
If the 49ers hadn’t convinced people of their legitimacy prior to this three-game stretch, they’ve certainly done it with two wins in the most difficult three-game run in NFL history.
