The San Francisco 49ers have a great opportunity ahead of them these next few games as they will be playing teams that they should beat on paper. They need to take advantage before a brutal stretch to end the season.
Sitting at 7-4, the Niners [would be the No. 7 seed](https://www.nfl.com/standings/playoff-picture) in the NFC if the season ended today. They have a 85 perent chance to make the playoffs, according to NFL.com, but they could really increase that likelihood if they take care of business these next few weeks.
In Week 12, the Niners will face off against the Carolina Panthers on _Monday Night Football_. Coming into the season, the game against Carolina seemed like it would be an easy one on the schedule after the Panthers were so bad last season.
However, the Panthers are 6-5 on the year and have impressive offensive weapons like Rico Dowdle who could cause big problems for a beleaguered 49ers defense.
Still, the 49ers will be favored against Carolina and should be able to put up points, given they have basically [all of their offensive weapons](https://ninernoise.com/rest-nfc-panicking-49ers-offense-stays-healthy-stretch) back on the field.
After Carolina, they will travel to Cleveland to take on the Browns. This already has the feel of a trap game, given they will have to travel across the country on a short week. But if the Niners play up to their potential, they should be able to handle a struggling Browns team.
They will get a much-needed bye week in Week 14, so they can have a bit of a breather and try to get healthier ahead of a Week 15 matchup with the Tennessee Titans, who have the worst record in the NFL, currently.
None of these three games are easy wins by any stretch since those do not exist in the NFL, but the 49ers have to take care of their next three games because their final three games are going to be tough.
Week 16 will see them travel to Indianapolis to take on the Colts, who are currently the No. 3 seed in the AFC and have arguably the best running back in the NFL in Jonathan Taylor. It is tough to see San Francisco's defense slowing him down at all in that contest.
Then, the Niners will play the surprise Chicago Bears at home, who are currently in first place in the NFC North before wrapping up their season the same way they started it with a game against the Seattle Seahawks, who are also having a great season.
All three of those closing games figure to be tough ones, so the Niners would benefit from entering that brutal closing stretch with a record of 10-4.
If they can do that, then there is a decent chance they would only have to win one of those final three games to secure a spot in the playoffs.