Can the 49ers Use the Rust Excuse if They Have an Early Playoff Exit?

Let me tell you a cautionary tale about rest, rust and the NFL playoffs.

Two years ago, the Packers wrapped up the No. 1 seed for the NFC playoffs before Week 18. So they sat their starters for part of the season finale, then had a bye week. So they were thoroughly rested when they hosted the 49ers, who were playing their third road game in a row and hadn't had a bye week since mid-October.

Naturally, the 49ers won.

Afterward, the Packers complained that they were too rested and therefore were rusty for the crucial playoff game they lost.

Which brings us to the 2023 49ers. They too wrapped up the No. 1 seed before Week 18 and sat their starters for most of the season finale. Now they have another week off before they eventually play their first postseason game, opponent T.B.D.

So if the 49ers lose, can they use the rust excuse, too?

Absolutely freaking not.

To be clear, I don't expect the 49ers to lose their first playoff game -- I expect them to go to the Super Bowl. But if they do indeed lose their first playoff game, rust won't have anything to do with it.

The 49ers starters practiced last week, they're practicing twice this week and they will practice all of next week. They should be ready. And if that's not enough preparation, the 49ers always can schedule more. They can do whatever they want. And they've decided that what they're doing is perfect, so they have to stick with their decision.

No excuses. Win the game.