Can the 49ers overcome history?

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Quinton Patton during action against the New Orleans Saints during an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, in Santa Clara, CA. The Saints pummeled the Niners 41-23. (Daniel Gluskoter/AP Images for Panini)If the 49ers are going to reach the playoffs this season, they will need to do something the organization has not accomplished since 1972: overcome a 2-3 record to start the season.

Since that season, the worst start that resulted in a playoff birth came in 1985. The defending Super Bowl champions started that season 3-2, but losses to Chicago and Detroit would see them fall to 3-4 after the first seven weeks. San Francisco would win seven of the last…