There are a few criteria by which an NFL franchise can legitimately boast it has the It factor.
It could come out of the gate winning, say, the way the 49ers did this season.
Or it could knock a geographical or emotional rival that has proven to be a bully in recent seasons, say, the way the 49ers beat the Rams (on the road!) and the Packers.
But the surest indicator that a team has captured the fancy of its fan base is to have its fan base join it on the road.
Sunday’s 48-46 scoreathon over the New Orleans Saints was enlivened by unseen 49er Faithful that could be plainly representing on the telecast.