It would have been preposterous a month ago to envision a scenario in which the 49ers could avoid the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL playoffs. That would have seemed like the dream situation for the 49ers during a time, not long ago, when it looked as if those three teams were the best in the NFC. But it has happened, and maybe the 49ers are not so lucky, after all.
The 49ers will not have an opportunity to end the Cowboys' season for a third consecutive season. The Green Bay Packers took care of that Sunday with a beatdown of Jerry Jones' beleaguered team. On Monday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers dispatched the Eagles, 32-9, from the postseason.
And while the 49ers are the decisive favorites to represent the NFC in Las Vegas, the three remaining teams - Green Bay, Detroit and Tampa Bay - should not be taken lightly. Each of those teams looked as if they were peaking with their playoff victories.
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