The 49ers are back in the NFL playoffs after taking a one-year hiatus. San Francisco’s postseason ticket was punched Sunday when the Detroit Lions lost 29-24 to the Pittsburgh Steelers at Ford Field. The 49ers (10-4) are the third NFC West team to secure a playoff spot, joining the Los Angel es Rams (11-4) and Seattle Seahawks (12-3). Brock Purdy and Co. currently hold one of the NFC’s wild-card spots, but they control their destiny and can win the NFC West and secure the No. 1 seed if they win their final three regular-season games on the road against the Indianapolis Colts on Monday night, at home against the Chicago Bears next week and at home against the Seahawks in the finale. After finishing with a 6-11 record last season, the 49ers have rebounded as many expected them to. And they’ve been able to do it while overcoming season-ending injuries to edge rusher Nick Bosa and linebacker Fred Warner. Purdy also missed eight games after sustaining a turf toe injury in the opener against the Seahawks, but backup quarterback Mac Jones stepped in admirably and kept the 49ers afloat. Since Purdy returned in mid-November, the 49ers are 4-0 entering Monday’s game in Indianapolis. If they can finish the season on a seven-game winning streak, they’ll earn a week to rest while the other six NFC teams battle in the wild-card round. The 49ers are making their fifth playoff appearance under Kyle Shanahan, and while they’ve come up short in Super Bowls under the nine-year NFL coach, they have more incentive to get the job done this year. Super Bowl LX will be played at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday, Feb. 8, giving the 49ers a chance to hoist the Lombardi Trophy on their home field. All the 49ers can ask for is a chance, and they got it Sunday. Download and follow the 49ers Talk Podcast ...read more read less