If the season ended today, the 49ers would not make the playoffs.

They currently sit in third place in the NFC West and ninth in the NFC. That’s because they are 4-4 and lost to the Rams and Cardinals. And yet, despite their slow start, the 49ers still have a 57% chance of making the playoffs. according to NFL.com.

Obviously, their easiest path to the playoffs is to win the division. The first-place Cardinals are 5-4, so the 49ers aren’t far behind them. And the Cardinals have a 49 percent chance of making the playoffs, and the Rams have a 22 percent chance, so the 49ers should be out of the division.

But the Cardinals still have a relatively easy schedule. They have two games left against the Seahawks, one against the Patriots and one against the Panthers. These are four potential victories. They also face the Vikings, 49ers and Rams. If the Cardinals win one or two of these games, they will likely win the division.

The 49ers could also make the playoffs as a wildcard team. The Packers, currently seeded seventh, only have a 61 percent chance of making the playoffs, so they’re not a sure thing either. The 49ers will face the Packers in Green Bay on November 24. This game could ultimately determine which team makes the playoffs.

The 49ers certainly have more than enough talent to reach the playoffs, and if Christian McCaffrey returns this Sunday and stays healthy for the remainder of the season, the 49ers could continue a winning streak.

Stay tuned.

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