The 49ers clinched a playoff berth Sunday courtesy of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
When the Steelers held on to beat the Detroit Lions 29-24 Sunday, it punched the 49ers’ ticket for the postseason with three games remaining.
The 49ers (10-4) visit the Indianapolis Colts (8-6) Monday night, then finish the season with games against Chicago (11-4) and Seattle (12-3) at Levi’s Stadium.
The Seahawks lead the NFC West and own the top seed virtue of their 38-37 win over the Los Angeles Rams Thursday night.
Wins in all three games would give the 49ers the top seed, assuring them a first-round bye and home field throughout the playoffs. And since Super Bowl LX will be played at Levi’s Stadium, that means the 49ers could make an unlikely run at a championship without ever leaving the comforts of home.
Detroit had a chance to score the winning touchdown from the Steelers’ 9-yard line, but the game ended on an offensive pass interference call against the Lions with no time remaining.
Coach Kyle Shanahan deflected playoff talk to talk about the importance of the Indianapolis game.
“I mean, getting into the playoffs was our first goal, so we have an opportunity this week to do it,” Shanahan said Thursday. “I talked to the team and the only thing we talked about was the Colts.”
It is the fifth time in 10 seasons under Shanahan and general manager John Lynch the 49ers have made the playoffs, and also one of the most unlikely.
The 49ers go into the Colts game having won their last three straight against teams with a 15-41 record. But making the playoffs is remarkable accomplishment considering the loss of edge rusher Nick Bosa and middle linebacker Fred Warner for the season, plus extended absences of quarterback Brock Purdy, tight end George Kittle and wide receiver Ricky Pearsall Jr.
LIke Shanahan, Purdy wasn’t looking past the game directly in front of him.
“Yeah, I mean obviously it’s nice, but we really do have to take it one day at a time,” Purdy said Saturday before the 49ers left for Indianapolis. “So for us, it’s how can we continue to get better just even this week at practice, handle business on Monday and make that everything right now. So, that’s where we have to be.”