He said two obvious but easily overlooked things: It's a long season. The injury bug can bite any place, any time.
We can still peak at the right time, and they can still fold. McCaffery, much as I like him as a player, is a hothouse plant that may not be in the lineup for any given game.
We lost 2 starting backs, 1 starting WR, 4 starting OL (every position except RT and some going 3-4 deep,) 3 starting DB, have 1 starting DT playing as a shadow of his former self, another likewise not showing as we'd expect, and our best rusher is also playing below capability - all with walking wounded-type injury. If even half that many injuries hit the Niners late in the season they'll fold.
We still don't know what our starting OL will look like with current personnel. We still don't know how RB's Rivers and Williams will contribute during the second half of the season.
At full strength the Rams D could STILL hold a full-strength Niner O to a reasonable number of points - low enough fot the Ram O, at full strength against the Niner D, to pull out a win. Gaines at full strength, not playing with one wing, is a wrecking crew. So is Ashawn. Deebo asked for assignment changes last year after being clocked by Scott - remember that? I'm sure Deebo does.
At full strength we'd overwhelm Jimmy G, and Stafford has this ineffable quality of playing at his peak during peak moments of peak games. Ultimately, he's the difference maker.
That's enough to play a helluva playoff game against the Niners.
This coming game, after the bye, we're still not there yet and shouldn't expect to be. Unrealistic expectations pave the road to disappointment. But we'll see... as Jalen says, the bounce of the ball, the opportunity to mke plays...
