Thread by @NFL

Injuries and a 3-5 start had the @49ers seeing deja vu at the start of the 2021 season.

But with a relentless pass rush and the emergence of explosive players on offense, they finished 7-2 and are back in the #NFLPlayoffs.

Here’s how they got there. #FTTB (THREAD 1/9)

Their run started when the offense got back to what it does best: long, sustained drives.

An 18-play, 11-minute drive set the tone in a 31–10 victory over the Rams. (2/9)

Deebo Samuel’s threat as a pass catcher AND a runner put defenses on notice. He led the @49ers in rushing in Week 11.

Remember, this man’s a WR. More on @19problemz later. (3/9)

Could Dec. 12 have been the day the @49ers became a contender?

A road trip to Cincinnati saw a huge 151-yard performance from @gkittle46 and an overtime game-winner by Air Aiyuk (@THE2ERA). (4/9)

Having his best season yet, @nbsmallerbear recorded his 15th sack in a Week 15 win over the Falcons. The defense was humming.

Sitting at 8-6 with three games to go, SF was squarely in the postseason race. (5/9)

But a heart-breaker at TEN made things clear: The Niners could not lose again.

Enter rookies @treylance09 and @EliMitch15. Eli ran for 119 yards and Trey threw for 249, including this laser to Deebo (see, we said he’d come up again) to win in Wk 17. (6/9)

It all came down to a Week 18 tilt against the Rams. Win or go home.

Deebo decided he was going to be a QB that day, threw a sick TD pass to Jauan Jennings and the 49ers erased a 17-point deficit. (7/9)

Despite a painful thumb injury, @JimmyG_10 put together a clutch drive that sent the game into OT where rookie Ambry Thomas (@Tavonn_) made the play of his career (so far).

The Niners were back in the #NFLPlayoffs. Insane! (8/9)

So, can the 49ers keep the momentum and make it to their second Super Bowl in three years?

We’ll find out. #SBLVI

📺: #SFvsDAL - Sunday 4:30PM ET on CBS
📱: NFL app (9/9)