It wasn't pretty, but the 49ers slid past Washington in Week 7 to get to 6-0.
With the New England Patriots still to play on Monday night, the 49ers currently are the only team that surely will enter Week 8 with an undefeated record. The 49ers have played the easiest schedule in the NFL thus far, with their six opponents combining for an 11-28 record to this point.
Still, you only can control what's in front of you, and Kyle Shanahan's club has taken care of business at every turn. On the back of a stingy defense led by Nick Bosa, DeForest Buckner and a dominant defensive line, the 49ers are holding opponents to 223.5 yards per game and 10.7 points per game. While the defense has been impossible to score on, Jimmy Garoppolo and the offense has done what's been needed to get wins.
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After the 9-0 win over Washington, Garoppolo now has back-to-back games with zero touchdowns and one interception, but it didn't cost them against either the Rams or Washington.
But just how legitimate are the 49ers? Are they Super Bowl contenders or paper tigers?
Well, based on NFL history, a Super Bowl run could indeed be in the future for the red and gold. The 49ers are the fifth team in NFL history to start a season 6-0 after winning less than five games in the previous season. Two of the first four teams to achieve the feat made an appearance in the Super Bowl.
The 49ers return home in Week 8 to face a Panthers team that has won four games in a row and is in the thick of the NFC South race. Quarterback Kyle Allen will get the nod for the fifth straight game as Cam Newton continues to rehab.
After that duel with the Panthers, the 49ers will take on Kyler Murray and the Cardinals before a massive NFC West showdown with the Seahawks in Week 10.
San Francisco 49ers
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At 6-0, the 49ers appear to be flying toward the playoffs. With an elite defense, efficient running attack and innovative coach, a Super Bowl run certainly could be in the cards.