The season starts on Sunday for the 49ers. Sitting at 4-4, the 49ers currently behind the Bears and ahead of the Rams and Bucs for the ninth seed in the NFC. Of course, every game is critical, but out of the bye week against an NFC opponent, it might prove to be the most important game remaining on the schedule for the 49ers.
NFL.com’s playoff predictions have the 49ers at a 57 percent chance of making the playoffs, and a win against Tampa Bay raises those chances to 63 percent. However, a loss drops the probability to 39 percent.