The 49ers’ record is 3-4. Following the Rams’ victory over the Vikings, the team is in the cellar of the NFC West with two divisional losses to Los Angeles and Arizona. The team will have to get into their bye week with a record of 4-4 at least to instill confidence that the 49ers can make a run to the playoffs. Dallas on Sunday night is a good place to start for the 49ers as they have taken care of business against the Cowboys three straight times including two straight wins at Levi’s Stadium.

Fifty-two percent of 49ers fans believe the team will finish with nine to ten wins by the end of the season. When the survey was presented, I laid out the path to ten wins including losses to Buffalo, Green Bay, and Detroit. Right out of the bye week, the 49ers will face Tampa Bay who will be without Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. The 49ers will have to sweep the three divisional matchups that remain on the schedule.

The path is made more difficult with the number of playoff teams from 2023 remaining on their schedule. The only three teams on the schedule who didn’t qualify last season are Chicago, Seattle, and Arizona. The Bears are much improved with a winning record currently. That matchup could prove to be as difficult as other matchups with the playoff teams from last season even with a rookie QB under center.

A win on Sunday will go a long way to determine the rest of the season for the 49ers. Beating Dallas will give the 49ers brass the information they need on whether they should be buyers at the NFL trade deadline or stay put. Reinforcements could be on the way also, which could change the trajectory of the team and how they are viewed. The goal is to be the team that NFC playoff teams want to avoid. Record be damned, just be as healthy as possible, make the playoffs, and let the chips fall where they may.

While things can get positive fast with a win on Sunday, 49ers fans have never been less confident in the team’s direction. From 68 percent, the vote plummeted 40 percent to 28 percent. The Chiefs’ loss was frustrating, but that feels excessive. 49ers fans will be elated with a victory over Dallas on Sunday night. I guarantee that number rises after the team takes care of business.