The Niners kind of came out of nowhere in the 2019 season. They were coming off an abysmal season where their franchise quarterback missed most of the year with an injury. There were questions about Jimmy Garoppolo’s ability as a starting quarterback — and the best ability is availability which Jimmy G struggled with before this season. The young defensive line had yet to gel. They were in one of the most difficult divisions in football. All they did was go 13-3 — and they had a legit shot at 16-0 — and make the Super Bowl. Here were their most important games.
NFC championship round
Niners 37 Packers 20
This game was much more lopsided than the score even seems. The Niners dominated from the opening snap. Garoppolo threw the ball eight times. That’s basically running the Army offense. San Francisco didn’t have to pass because Raheem Mostert dominated on the ground. The Niners pass rush made life very difficult for Aaron Rodgers. This game wasn’t fun to watch, but it sent the Niners to the Super Bowl so it’s at the top of the list.
Week 14
Niners 48 Saints 46
Normally the divisional round would end up being listed the second most important game, but when an instant-classic happens, it should be recognized. This was one of the most fun games of NFL season. The Niners traveled into New Orleans and went toe to toe with the Saints in a Sunday afternoon shootout. This game ended up being extremely important because the Niners needed the tiebreaker to land the top seed in the NFC. If they lost — which many people expected them to do — they might not be heading to Miami.
Week 17
Niners 26 Seahawks 21
This game was almost as important as that Saints game. With the tiebreaker in hand, all the Niners had to do was travel to Seattle and defeat a banged up Seahawks squad. Still, not exactly an easy challenge. The Niners defense had a goal-line (ish) stand against their division rival as time expired to lock up the top seed.
NFC divisional round
Niners 27 Vikings 10
Here’s the divisional round win. San Francisco used its defense to strangle the Vikings offense into submission. The Niners shutdown one of the most explosive backs in the NFL. Dalvin Cook was bottled up, and Kirk Cousins couldn’t win the Vikings the game. The Niners run offense dominated an NFC North opponent. They would do worse to the Packers — as we know.
Week 16
Niners 34 Rams 31
The Rams — back to back NFC West champion and a 2019 Super Bowl team — came into Week 16 desperate. They needed to win to have any chance to make the playoffs. The Niners did exactly what they were supposed to do and put the final nail in the coffin of the Rams 2019 regular season. This is what — potential — champions do. The Rams held a 28-24 lead going into the fourth quarter. They held the Rams offense to three points in the final stanza.
Week 12
Niners 38 Packers 7
The game that gave the Niners the tiebreaker over the Packers only fell so far down the list because it was boring. It was complete and utter domination. Green Bay couldn’t move the ball at all on Sunday Night Football. Everyone knew to take the Niners seriously after this one — if they hadn’t already.
Week 5
Niners 31 Browns 3
This was the Niners coming out party. The Niners didn’t come into this season with high expectations. The Browns did. Baker Mayfield, Odell Beckham Jr., and Jarvis Landry were supposed to crush opposing defense. Myles Garrett was going to be in the running for defensive player of the year. In Week 5, on Monday Night Football, we found out what type team the Niners were — and probably should have realized the Browns weren’t that good. San Francisco dominated this game from start to finish. Baker Mayfield was eight for 22 with two interceptions. The Niners had two touchdowns through the air and two on the ground. We should have all realized the Niners had what it takes to make the Super Bowl.
