San Francisco now faces two daunting road challenges against the Green Bay Packers and Buffalo Bills in Weeks 12 and 13. The two teams boast a combined 16-5 record, making these matchups critical to the 49ers' playoff aspirations.
NBC Sports Bay Area analyst and former NFL safety Donte Whitner believes these games are make-or-break for San Francisco.
"The 49ers are back in panic mode," Whitner said after the loss to the Seahawks. "In 2024, in the first half of this season, the 49ers have already played six one-score games. And in those six one-score games, they're only 2-4."
A win on Sunday would have improved the 49ers' record to 6-4, giving them some breathing room. Instead, two losses in the upcoming matchups would leave them at 5-7, a precarious position that could crush their playoff hopes.
Whitner didn't mince words: "If the 49ers don't win the next two games consecutively, they will not make the playoffs in 2024."
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