John Lynch talks 49ers' mentality, home-field advantage, NFC West dominance

The San Francisco 49ers secured a playoff berth this week, marking their fourth postseason appearance in the last five years. Currently leading the NFC playoff standings, the 49ers are the front-runners for home-field advantage, providing a favorable track to the Super Bowl if they maintain their winning streak.

"It's a big deal for a number of reasons," general manager John Lynch told Bay Area radio station KNBR's Brian Murphy and Markus Boucher on Friday morning. "I mean, you love playing your games at home, but over the last few years, we've been a good road team, too, and we travel well as a team.

"So, I don't think that's top of mind, although we love playing here at Levi's. I think it's, quite simply, you want the cleanest track to the big game, and we'll take it whatever way we have to. But when you only have to play two games, and you're there, then that's a great thing."

Nothing comes easily in the NFL. Unless the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles stumble, the 49ers must finish the season strong. They will travel to face the Arizona Cardinals this weekend, following up with a home game against the Baltimore Ravens. The team will close out the season with a road game against the Washington Commanders before hosting the Los Angeles Rams.

The 49ers aren't looking beyond this weekend, though, and the general manager provided a fitting analogy for the team's focused mentality heading into Week 15.

Lynch said, "We're there right now, but the important thing is we focus on each task and almost get that out of our mind, understand what the carrot is. But you don't look for the light at the end of the tunnel. You just keep digging. And we got to dig this week down in Arizona against a team that's confident and playing well."

San Francisco has dominated its division, going 4-0 against NFC West foes. The 49ers have outscored their division opponents 124-68 this season. What's the secret behind the success? Lynch believes the answer to that question is simple.

"I just think we have a good team, and we've got a really good team who works very hard," Lynch stated. "We're coached extremely well, and when you have all those things ... when you have the work ethic that so much of this team has, I think it's about having not just the talent, but the right people, and the right character, and I think we have that."

Lynch acknowledges that the 49ers will need some good fortune to keep things rolling. Health will be a significant factor in the team's continued success.

"Those are all challenges, but our guys take every challenge and face it head on," Lynch continued. "I think the leadership of [head coach] Kyle [Shanahan] is just tremendous; the schematic advantage we get from Kyle and his offensive staff. And then [defensive coordinator] Steve Wilks and the defensive staff doing a great job of putting our players in position to be successful. I think all those things, you throw it together, and we're at a good place.,

"And I think the fact that we never take any of these games for granted. We understand that this is the NFL, and they've got very good players on the other side and we got to go bring it each week. And I think that's a hallmark of this team. We bring it, physically, each and every week, and that's something we're real proud of."