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The 49ers hit rock bottom against Arizona in Week 9, but that loss is long forgotten. The Niners have won three in a row and four of their past five, and they now sit at the No. 6 spot in the NFC playoff picture. Given their schedule and the way things are breaking around them, it would be a surprise if they don't make the postseason, which means this confidence rating should only continue to rise. -- Nick Wagoner

The 49ers received huge contributions from unexpected places in a gutty win over the Vikings. Azeez Al-Shaair was a star at linebacker, first on the weak side and then in the middle calling plays once Fred Warner went out with a hamstring injury. Elijah Mitchell, playing with that steel pin in his finger, piled up 133 yards and a touchdown. And when Deebo Samuel was lost to a groin injury, it was Trent Sherfield who stepped up with a huge third-down catch that allowed San Francisco to burn precious seconds in the final quarter. The victory moved the Niners into playoff position in the NFC and reaffirmed what's become increasingly apparent as the month has progressed: Kyle Shanahan's team has found itself and is ready to make some noise.

They are surging heading into December and have the look of a playoff team. They ran it right at the Vikings last week, which is their ideal way of winning.

In the event you suffer from East Coast bias, the franchise that popularized the West Coast offense is suddenly up to sixth place in the NFC. They're averaging nearly 180 rushing yards during three-game win streak but must carry on in short term without top weapon Deebo Samuel.

Problem area: Injuries. Few teams in the playoff hunt seem as susceptible to collapsing after key injuries than the 49ers, who have endured more than their share of big ones over the past season and a half. That's why it was scary to see receiver Deebo Samuel, who has been the 49ers' best offensive player in recent weeks, crouched over in pain and being helped off the field Sunday. Or to watch the defense lose not one, but two, starting linebackers (Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw) in the same game. The 49ers have clawed their way back into the NFC wild-card race with three straight wins, and it would be a shame if injuries slow their progress.