49ers Mailbag: Rest comes with playoff bye

The 49ers have clinched the NFC West, but that is not good enough.In order for the 49ers to have a reasonable chance to make a playoff run, they also have to clinch a first-round bye in the playoffs. That's why the 49ers can't afford to slow down in the regular season until they accomplish that goal.
Linebacker Patrick Willis is not expected to play Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals due to a right hamstring strain. But all other healthy 49ers players must be ready to go for the remainder of the regular season.
With an eye on the playoffs, we open today's 49ers Mailbag . . . Q: How will the Niners treat their starters the rest of the way? Full go or rest them? @aharris916
My response: The 49ers can't afford to rest anyone who might be able to help them win football games. The difference between finishing second and third in the NFC could make a huge difference during the playoffs.That is why the 49ers must play their best players until, at least, they have clinched the No. 2 seed in the NFC behind the Green Bay Packers.
If the 49ers finish with the No. 2 seed, they'll be able to rest their starters during the wild-card round of the playoffs. That's because the top two seeds in each conference is assured a first-round bye. That's the rest the 49ers are eyeing at this point.If the 49ers finish with the No. 2 seed, they can spend two weeks to get ready for a potential divisional playoff game against the New Orleans Saints at Candlestick.If the 49ers are the third seed, they would not get any break. They'd have to beat a wild-card team at Candlestick for the right to play the Saints at New Orleans. And that's a tall order.Q: If Saints win out and 49ers win out (except for Pitt), who gets the bye? @Arkhams_Razor
My response: If the 49ers and Saints finish with the same record, the 49ers would win any tie-breaker. That's because the 49ers would have a better conference record than the Saints.With four games remaining, the 49ers essentially have a two-game lead over the Saints for the No. 2 seed. Any combination of three 49ers victories and Saints defeats clinches the No. 2 seed for the 49ers.And, then, maybe they can talk about resting some of their players.