49ers are not NFL playoff team after loss to Packers, according to Donte Whitner – NBC Sports Bay Area & California

The 49ers haven’t looked like a Super Bowl contender for most of the 2024 NFL season and previously left San Francisco safety Donte Whitner to fear that the writing is on the wall.

On the latest episode of NBC Sports Bay Area’s “Hitner’s Hot Take,” Whitner explained why the faithful might have to temper high expectations for the rest of the 49ers’ campaign.

“I’m sorry to inform everyone, but the 49ers are not going to make the playoffs this year,” Whitner said. “After Sunday’s debacle in Green Bay, the 49ers will be going home early this year, and it’s not (because) they just lost to Green Bay, but it’s the case they lost in.”

Whitner cited the 49ers’ 38-10 loss to the Green Bay Packers and the collective performance as the main reasons he doesn’t see San Francisco making the postseason.

In Week 12 at Lambeau Field, San Francisco had just 241 yards to Green Bay’s 325, and the 49ers held possession for 23:17 compared to the Packers’ 36:43.

The 49ers were flat against the Packers and are now 5-6 because of it. San Francisco is also last in the NFC behind the 5-6 Los Angeles Rams, 6-5 Arizona Cardinals and 6-5 Seattle Seahawks, who are all 3-1 against the 49ers.

“Now, I’ve been wrong before,” Whitner said. “And I hope I’m wrong about this 49ers prediction. But this is not a championship team. This is not a playoff team. Until they return to their dominant championship ways and execution, this is a below-average football team.”

Things don’t look bright for San Francisco. The 49ers next have a date with the 9-2 Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium and have a few more NFL playoff contenders on their schedule after that.

Plus, 49ers quarterback Brock Purdyamong other things, being beaten up.

Whitner has tried to keep faith in San Francisco all season. But even he couldn’t find any bright spots after the 49ers’ embarrassment on Sunday.

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