[SSW]

The Niners made the Redskins look like a much better team that they are and kept the Redskins in the game by making 3 TOs (2 fumbles and an INT) BUT were still able to squeak out another ugly win to stay in the running as the 8th seed for a wild card berth at 7-4.

The Niners looked good in their 1st possession scoring a TD early in the 1st quarter but then only managed a FG to go up 10-7 at the very end of the 1st 1/2. The Redskins' mediocre offense was able to score 2 FGs in the 2nd 1/2 to go up 13-10 w/7 1/2 mins left in the game. The Niners HAD to score a TD to win in the final drive and although it required a 4th & 1 conversion and a 15 yard penalty to do it, they were able to score a TD w/3 mins left to go ahead 17-13. The defense did its job by making the Skins go 4 and out with 1:52 left on the clock. All the Niners' offense had to do was get a 1st down on 3 plays to close out the game BUT they were unable to do that. So, the Skins got the ball again w/1:27 left to play and the defense had to come back on the field to save the day again.

NOT pretty but, as they say, a win is a win. However, this sets up a MUST WIN game against the Seahawks at home on TG. Both the Niners and Hawks are 7-4 but the Hawks are the 6th seed over the Niners at 8th because of a better divisional record at 1-1 vs the Niners at 1-2. The Niners would be the 6th seed if they had not fumbled the ball at the goal line to lose to the Rams 10-13 in the their last meeting. A Niners win over the Hawks on TG will move them into 2nd place in the division at 8-4 over the Hawks 7-5 and, depending on how the Lions (who are currently the 7th seed) do this week, will move them into the 6th or 7th seed position in the NFC playoffs.

So, despite how bad the Niners have looked this year they actually still have a chance to make the playoffs.

However, in order to do it they'll have to beat the Hawks on TG at home OR beat them in Seattle 2 weeks later, where they haven't been able to win in a LONG time. If they lose 2 to the Hawks, it's pretty much all over BUT, if they spit w/the Hawks and are able to beat the Raiders and Chargers in the interim, they'll be 10-5 thru week 15 and then will probably be faced w/another MUST WIN game in the final week against Arizona in order to have any chance to make into the playoffs with a 11-5 record, because it doesn't look right now like 10-6 will be enough secure them a playoff spot.

Let's hope that they have what it takes to do it. GO NINERS!