Week 11 NFL Rooting Guide

by David Fucillo on Nov 20, 2009 10:15 AM PST in San Francisco 49ers News

Alright, I'll be honest, this is not even close to an original idea. I was over at Acme Packing Company (our Packers blog) and came across an intriguing FanPost from last week. The author went through the various matchups for the week and who Packers fans should be cheering for. Given that we're getting into the playoff chase, I think it makes sense to put something like this together each week. At least as long as the 49ers remain in the playoff chase!

NFC West Standings
1. Arizona Cardinals (6-3)
2. San Francisco 49ers (4-5)
3. Seattle Seahawks (3-6)

NFC Wildcard Standings
1. Philadelphia Eagles (5-4)
2. Atlanta Falcons (5-4)
3. Green Bay Packers (5-4)
4. NY Giants (5-4)
5. San Francisco 49ers (4-5)
6. Chicago Bears (4-5)
7. Carolina Panthers (4-6)

I realize the 3-6 teams are only a game back of the 4-5 teams, but for wildcard purposes, teams behind the 49ers will remain off the list for now. The Panthers remain on the list because they played early this week, and of course we have the Panther Watch (quick recap coming a little later this morning). After the jump, we go through this weekend's matchups. As for the division, the Seahawks were swept by Arizona and really struggling. If they beat Minnesota this weekend I'll add them in to this guide next week.

49ers-Packers: This is your Captain Obvious matchup of the week, as it always is when the 49ers are involved. We know what's up here. NN CHOICE: 49ERS

Falcons-Giants: I had a rather extended email conversation with Florida Danny about this matchup. The first tiebreaker for the playoffs is head-to-head record, and the second tiebreaker is conference record. The 49ers are actually in decent shape with their conference record. The Falcons own the head-to-head tiebreaker with the 49ers, while the Giants and 49ers don't play. Given that Michael Turner is out for at least a week, maybe more, I think I'd prefer the Giants to win this game. Both teams are 5-4 and an Atlanta win would allow the Falcons to remain the equivalent of two games ahead of the 49ers (because of the tiebreaker). Atlanta faces Philly in a couple weeks, a game in which we'll be rooting for Philly. Also, the Giants are 3-3 in conference (49ers are 4-2), so the 49ers hold an edge once they hopefully tie it up with them. NN CHOICE: GIANTS

Cardinals-Rams: Tough call here. The Cardinals are undefeated on the road, so I'm not holding my breath. But an upset would be sooooo sweet. NN CHOICE: RAMS

Eagles-Bears: Given that the 49ers hold the tiebreaker over the Bears, we're definitely rooting for the Bears in this game. Jay Cutler performs much better at home than on the road, while Philly has been a bit inconsistent on the road. The good news (sort of) is that even if Philly wins, the 49ers head to Philly for what could turn into a monster week 15 matchup. The 49ers might not have the best chance in the world, but hopefully the game will mean something. NN CHOICE: BEARS

So there you have it. If you disagree with me on the Giants selection (or the Bears/Eagles as well I suppose), feel free to comment accordingly.

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I am thinking for the now and for next years draft.

PIT @ KC Kansas City, hopefully they can streak and sit behind the Panthers pick
SF @ GB No Brainer Niners (site decorum)
CLE @ DET Detroit so they can get pass the Panther draft spot and if Cleveland drafts high enough they will pass on E Berry
IND @ BAL Colts, I can’t wait to see the 72 Dolphins celebration ended
SEA @ MIN Seattle I hate Favre more than the Seahawks and I need the panthers to draft ahead of them
WAS @ DAL Washingotn so they draft ahead of the Panthers and I have a bet that the 9ers record would be better than the Cowboys
BUF @ JAC Buffalo, so they draft behind the Panthers
ATL @ NYG Atlanta, I don’t like NY teams
NO @ TB New O in a blowout or TB in a shootout (i have Brees for fantasy)
ARI @ STL St. Louis need the Cards to lose some gimme games
NYJ @ NE I normally would pick Jets because I don’t like the Patriots and the Brady scrotum hangers but R Ryan crossed the line saying he wished they played our team
CIN @ OAK Cincinatti, Just want to see Skip eat his words when he sees Ocho again
SD @ DEN San Diego, I think they are a better matchup for the Pats or Steelers my two most hated AFC teams (playoffs)
PHI @ CHI Chicago This game could be big in our qwest for at least a wildcard appearance

"Optimist Prime"
I'll say it over and over Crabtree was not the pick we NEEDED, at least until he scores with 100yds receiving.

by rlott#42 on Nov 20, 2009 10:42 AM PST reply actions

Different thought on it all.

I still think our best shot for the Playoffs comes with winning the Division. We need to beat Arizona and hope that they lose a few games somewhere along the line and we catch up to them with at least an even record for at seasons end. Then we can win the division on the tie breaker.

But since this is about the two wild card team slots, I am more worried about teams that may have the tie break advantage over us. That is the one reason I would root for the Giants to beat Atlanta. We can’t afford for Atlanta to have the same record as us at the end of the year and expect to receive a wild card slot and every loss by them helps.

Unless, you are just writing their names as one of the wild card slots as default which when looking at the remainder of their schedule is not out of the realm of possibility.

Here is who Atlanta plays NYG, TB, PHI, NO, NYJ, BUF, & TB again. I could easily see Atlanta winning 4 of those games, which would make them a 9-7 team at least. Okay maybe now I have convinced myself to root for Atlanta. If that is the case then we need to look at the Giants remaining schedule.

The Giants play Atl, Den, Dal, Phi, Was, Car, and Min so in my opinion I think the Giants remaining schedule is a little bit tougher than Atlanta’s.

One last thing! Our games against GB and Philly are extremely important record wise and for tie breaker reasons! In my opinion, I think if we lose either of those games, we can pretty much role out the possibility of a wild card berth .

11-5... My 49ers pre-season prediction! <--- Hey It could still happen!

by Ten-Man on Nov 20, 2009 11:13 AM PST reply actions

Good points

I guess it really boils down to that fact that this game is a must win for us.

by goatfather on Nov 20, 2009 12:15 PM PST up reply actions

Fooch - your pciks say it all

And are all correct. I’d add that the Falcons schedule after this week seems more winnable than the NYG so that is another reason I hope NY beats Atlanta.

You gotta bring ass to get ass.

by SpurredOn on Nov 20, 2009 12:29 PM PST reply actions

rooting for giants and bears makes sense,

and i think we’ll all be honorary rams fans by the time this season is over – they’ve barely played anybody in the division yet. Ohh man if they could sweep AZ!!! haha.

by sleepyotter on Nov 20, 2009 12:31 PM PST reply actions