Seems like a fair poll result, right now for both teams.
Our D can't stop anyone right now. Won't stop the Rams, probably won't stop Kyler Murray and the Cards. Don't see any improvement on the way, near-term. Our D consistently looks bad, with the exception of one half against Jimmy G, then getting torched by Nick Mullens.
Other teams seem to be figuring out our Offense well enough to stop a few drives a game, primarily by getting pressure on Russell. We don't seem to have a running game to speak of without Carson or Penny. This impacts Russell greatly, and leads to more pressure. Schotty doesn't seem to be able to dial up adjustments on offense, more screens, shorter routes,
Our only hope against the better teams is our D getting more turnovers than they get stops, and playing turnover-free Offense.
I'd expect that SF fans have lowered their expectations, and are measuring their optimism against those lowered expectations. SF has a better defense than we do at present, even with their injuries. The drop from Jimmy G to their backup QBs doesn't seem as big a drop as other teams have. At last check, Niners still had a running game. With that, Shanahan will find a way to scheme Mullins (or even Beathard) into at least game-manager-success.
Niners have a decent shot at sneaking into the playoffs, and once in the playoffs, defense + running game + timely passing gives them a shot against playoff teams.
Right now our dismal Defense plus our struggles-under-pressure Offense make yet another early-round Seahawks playoff exit seem likely. I'd love to be wrong, to see our D turn it around, to see our running game come back to life (Carson + Penny return?), to see Schotty + Russell make better adjustments. It's just that it hasn't been the trend lately.
