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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
Read More: Who are the possible contenders to stop a Chiefs 3-peat?
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