In a sports world full of glitz and glamour, the 49ers are a reminder that hard work pays off. The team is a throwback to the gold rush of 1848, when fortune seekers from across the country flocked to California in search of riches. In the popular lore of San Francisco, the old 49er is a grizzled prospector with a bushy beard, a floppy felt hat and a pickax in one hand. But if you take the time to research the history of the real-life men who made up this legend, you’ll find their tale is more complex than the lovable image that has been perpetuated by the professional football franchise named for them.
The 49ers opened the season with a 30-7 win against the Steelers, and followed it up with a dominating 31-7 win against the Rams in Week 2. The defense has been especially impressive, but the offense needs to pick up the pace if the team is to make the Super Bowl.
It’s not clear who the 49ers will face in their next playoff game, but it could be the NFC North-leading Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings entered play Saturday afternoon two games back of the Eagles in the NFC race, but with a better record than the 49ers 49s and a head-to-head matchup in Week 16, they’re favored to advance to the divisional round.
If the 49ers are to win that game, they’ll need Brock Purdy to be healthy. The backup quarterback suffered an elbow injury in the NFC Championship, and a concussion in the playoff loss to the Eagles. Whether it’s Purdy or Josh Johnson, the team will need to upgrade its passing game.
The modern-day 49ers began their existence in the All-American Football Conference (AAFC) in 1946. The franchise struggled during the 1950s, advancing to the postseason just once in 12 seasons. However, in 1979 the 49ers hired Bill Walsh as head coach and drafted future Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana. The duo would form one of the best passing teams in NFL history, and Walsh’s “West Coast” offensive scheme helped them to three Super Bowl wins in the 1980s.
The modern-day 49ers have won more Super Bowls than any other team in the league, and the team has also won the most regular-season games. Their current record of 13-4 makes them the favorite to win the NFC West and a top contender for the Super Bowl. They’re also likely to get home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs if they can finish the season with a better record than the NFC North-leading Minnesota Vikings, who enter Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks at 10-3.