The NFC playoff field is filled with reunions and opportunities for atonement, led by the top-seeded 49ers.
The San Francisco 49ers were on the verge of winning their first Super Bowl in a quarter-century when Patrick Mahomes led Kansas City to three touchdowns in the last six minutes, propelling the Chiefs to a 31-20 victory.
The Niners (12-5) fell one step shy of returning to the big game for a chance at redemption the last two years, falling on the road to the Rams and Eagles in the NFC title games.
They’re in a better position this time.
“We’re right where we want to be,” left lineman Trent Williams of the Niners stated. “We’re the No. 1 seed.”
So, like the rest of us, they’ll get to enjoy wild-card weekend, and with one playoff win, they’ll get to host the conference championship game on Jan. 28 for a chance to play in Super Bowl 58 in Las Vegas next month.
A caveat: the 49ers finished 5-3 at home this season, including a Christmas Day 33-19 loss to Baltimore, the AFC’s top seed.
