Dec 1, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) runs with the ball against Buffalo Bills cornerback Taron Johnson (7)during the first half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

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NFC Championship or Nothing: The Weird Saga of the San Francisco 49ers

49ers’ NFC streak and 2024 struggles.

The 49ers have been living in extremes for 22 years. They either miss the playoffs entirely or make it to the NFC Championship Game. No in-between. One user on Reddit broke it down like this:

2003-2010: Missed playoffs
2011: Lost NFC Championship Game
2012: Won NFC Championship Game, lost Super Bowl XLVII
2013: Lost NFC Championship Game
2014-2018: Missed playoffs
2019: Won NFC Championship Game, lost Super Bowl LIV
2020: Missed playoffs
2021: Lost NFC Championship Game
2022: Lost NFC Championship Game
2023: Won NFC Championship Game, lost Super Bowl LVIII
2024: Missed playoffs

It’s wild when you think about it. For over two decades, this team hasn’t just been inconsistent—it’s been dramatically all-or-nothing. Compare that to the dynasty years of 1980-2002, where they made 18 playoff appearances, played in 10 NFC Championships, and won 5 Super Bowls. Those days feel distant now.

With the 49ers being eliminated from playoff contention they will extend their streak of either making the NFC championship game or missing the playoffs to 22 seasons.
byu/SufferingfOrLife in49ers

This season was supposed to be another big run. Instead, injuries gutted them. Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk, and Trent Williams missed stretches, and the offense never found a rhythm. The defense, which used to dominate, looked ordinary. It’s like the team forgot how to be them.

Tough choices ahead for San Francisco

Quarterback Brock Purdy needs a new deal. That’s going to cost. And when your QB gets paid, the rest of the roster usually suffers. San Francisco might lose some big names in the offseason. It’s the cost of staying competitive in today’s NFL.

James Jones on the main reason for the 49ers downfall in 2024:

“For me it’s Dre Greenlaw. I blame him and it started in the Super Bowl. In the Super Bowl game when Dre Greenlaw was in that game the Chiefs had 80 yards and zero points. When he went out of that football game, they… pic.twitter.com/5Yz2dwXFYE
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) December 25, 2024

This fanbase has waited 29 years—nearly three decades—for another Super Bowl win. Every season without a Lombardi Trophy feels heavier. The team hasn’t won it all since 1995, and it’s starting to show in how restless the fans are.

The 49ers are stuck in this weird loop. They’re either all in or completely out. And honestly, nobody knows when they’ll break the cycle. Will it take another star QB? A retooled roster? Or just plain luck? For now, it’s all questions and no answers.

Shanahan still trusts Moody

Amid all this chaos, kicker Jake Moody had a rough second season. He made 76.7% of his field goals, a step down from his 84% as a rookie. Coach Kyle Shanahan is sticking with him, though: “I still feel the same about him, that I believe he is going to be our guy.”

Moody’s ankle injury in Week 5 messed with his rhythm. Since returning in Week 10, he hasn’t looked like himself. All his misses came on the road, including some brutal ones in Buffalo’s blizzard and against Miami.

But Shanahan believes in his kicker. “He’s made of the right stuff just from a mental standpoint,” he said. Moody knows it’s been tough: “You’ve got to pick up where you left off, which can be hard after time off.”

Image: Imagn images

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Natasha Bose

I write about sports because, well, it brings in the big bucks! I’m not some lifelong analyst or stats guru, truth being told, you’ve probably never heard of me!—I just know how to research, write, and make things sound good. That’s the job!
Got into sports media the same way most people do: by (fortunate) accident. Started with SEO writing, took on a few sports gigs, and now here we are! I cover games, trades, player drama—whatever needs words.
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