Regular Season

1. Week Five, at Los Angeles– Although the San Francisco 49ers were a perfect 5-0 currently, I was still trying to buy into them. It was a divisional showdown with the team that’s claimed the division the last two seasons, the Los Angeles Rams. This was the perfect opportunity to show the non-believers who they were. They did just that. The 49ers punished the Rams behind a solid defensive performance. This was the game that sold me on them. To win the division, you must win in your division.

2. Week Seven, vs Carolina– I was looking forward to this game. The Panthers hadn’t lost a game with Kyle Allen as their quarterback. The 49ers returned home after two straight road games. The zero remained in the loss column. It was another dominant performance from San Francisco. Tevin Coleman ran for four touchdowns. Rookie Nick Bosa recorded three sacks and an acrobatic interception. San Francisco scored 51 points in another win to improve to 7-0.

3. Week Eight, at Arizona– Divisional games are always a challenge no matter who the opponent is. The 49ers and Cardinals opened week eight on Halloween night. This was Jimmy Garoppolo’s best game of the season. He threw four touchdown passes. The Cardinals did make things interesting in the fourth quarter outscoring the 49ers 11-0, but the San Francisco defense came to the rescue as they have all season long. They were 8-0 for the first time since 1990.

4. Week Nine, vs Seattle– I was so happy that this rivalry was getting the primetime recognition once again. The Seahawks were off to a quick start and the 49ers of course were the surprise atop the division. This game was close all the way through. Overtime was needed to decide this one. It would come down to the final seconds of the overtime period. The Seahawks handed the 49ers their first loss of the season. What a game this was. By far one of the best I’ve seen all year.

5. Week 11, vs Green Bay– Heading into this game, the Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers both had the two best records in the NFC. It was only fitting this game was flexed to Sunday night. This was the 49ers most complete game of the year. They physically dominated the Packers so badly that Green Bay couldn’t recover until the third quarter. This was the beginning of a three-game stretch against division leaders for the 49ers. They passed one portion of the test. Let’s see what was next in store.

6. Week 12, at Baltimore– Was this a preview of this year’s Super Bowl? Both teams were the talk of the league. It was the best record in the NFC facing the hottest team in the league in the Baltimore Ravens. These were the two most physical teams in football this season. It was a low scoring battle in the rain which meant both were going to try and run the ball. It was a close game throughout. The 49ers gave the Ravens such a tough test. In the end, the Ravens prevailed to see their winning streak continue. The close losses are the toughest ones.

7. Week 14, at New Orleans– As soon as I saw this game on the schedule, I knew I’d get my hands on it. This could be a preview of the NFC title game or even a showdown in the playoffs in January. What a game this ended up being! It was a shootout! Which plays perfectly into the hands of Drew Brees who had a big game. Jimmy G didn’t shy away. They were looking to make a statement. George Kittle made the play of the game when Jimmy connected with him on a pass that put the 49ers in field goal position. San Francisco shocked the world and came away with a huge win in New Orleans.

8. Week 15, vs Atlanta– Ah, the perfect trap game. After a big win, some teams feel they only need to show up because it’s a subpar opponent coming in. Any team can be defeated on Any Given Sunday. That was exactly the case in this home against the Atlanta Falcons. They let their guard down and it hurt them in the end. They fell short to the Falcons by a touchdown. The struggles caught up with them in the fourth quarter.

9. Week 17, at Seattle– So here’s how this scenario went: The NFC West division title was on the line. If the 49ers won, they would win the division and clinch the top seed in the NFC. If they lost, they would begin the playoffs on the road. I know for a fact they were seeking revenge. The finale seemed like the perfect game to do so. They dominated Seattle. Pushed them around and made things rough for Russell Wilson. This game would end up being decided by five points and Seattle fell short of scoring.

Postseason

10. Divisional Round, vs Minnesota– It was the 49ers first playoff game at Levi’s Stadium. This was also Jimmy’s first career playoff game as a starting quarterback. How would he do? I was in awe of the game plan that Kyle Shanahan drew up. Jimmy did just enough to keep the Niners in the game. He only threw the ball 18 times. They were able to run the ball and the defense handled the rest. They sent Minnesota home. It was the NFC title game next.

11. NFC Championship, vs Green Bay– Another rematch. When they first met, the 49ers were so dominant. They made life miserable for Aaron Rodgers. What was in store for the second game? I seriously thought I was watching the regular season showdown again. The 49ers dominated the Packers once again behind four rushing touchdowns from Raheem Mostert. They’ve won the NFC for the first time since 2012.