When it comes to NFL negotiations https://www.49ersfanshop.com/Pierre-Garcon-Jersey , there’s almost always more than meets the eye. As it relates to the 49ers’ reported interest in free-agent kicker Stephen Gostkowski, it’s hard not to wonder what else may be going on.It’s possible that the 49ers hope to persuade franchise-tagged kicker Robbie Gould to accept a pending offer on a long-term deal. It’s also possible that the 49ers are simply trying to bluff Gould into signing his $4.971 million franchise tender, for fear that it will be rescinded.If the 49ers sign Gostkowski, the 49ers surely will strip the franchise tender from Gould, since it becomes fully guaranteed the moment that it’s accepted. Thus Earl Mitchell Jersey , if the 49ers are serious about Gostkowski, they need to strip the tender from Gould before inking Gostkowski.Of course, maybe Gould would welcome the chance to hit the open market. Maybe he already knows what he’d get on a long-term deal, if he can get free from the 49ers.However it plays out, Gould and the 49ers currently are engaged in a game of equal parts chess Malcolm Smith Color Rush Jersey , checkers, and chicken, with Gostowski serving as a wild card. The San Francisco 49ers are onto the final stretch of their season from hell. They are all but certain to notch a top-five pick in the 2019 NFL draft and it’s less on their performance and more on the performances of other teams. At this point the strength of schedule (SoS) is being factored in. Remember, head to head records do not matter in the event of a tie. Draft positioning is determined by depth in the playoffs, win-loss record https://www.49ersfanshop.com/Robbie-Gould-Jersey , and SoS. So if the Chargers and Washington wound up tied, but the Chargers made the playoffs, Washington would get the better pick. The same would happen if Washington had a better record, but the Chargers made it into the playoffs. Beyond that, it’s the strength of schedule. You have to absolutely suck against crappier teams who in turn have lost to crappy teams to get that coveted No. 1 draft pick. All that said Reuben Foster Jersey , in this final stretch we have a few games that we need to worry about not for the winner to push the W/L record up, but to improve the strength of schedule so the 49ers don’t have any issues when they tie with the Raiders. Below are the games you should care about: Steelers (7-4-1) at Raiders (2-10) — Raiders. But we all know what really happens.Giants (4-8) at Washington (6-6): Washington. The Giants winning helps make their gap on the 49ers grow, but a Washington win helps the strength of schedule tiebreaker and the 49ers are going to need that way more than another win out of the Giants. Panthers (6-6) at Browns (4-7-1): Browns. The Browns were a Raiders opponent so a win from them helps the strength of schedule in the 49ers’ favor. Falcons (4-8) at Packers (4-7-1): Falcons. Green Bay was a 49ers opponent so a win from them helps the strength of schedule in the 49ers’ favor.Lions (4-8) at Cardinals (2-9): Lions —Lions all the way. Considering SoS doesn’t change either way, might as well root against those in the division.Patriots (9-3) at Dolphins (6-6): Dolphins. The Dolphins were a Raiders opponent were a Raiders opponent so a win from them helps the strength of schedule in the 49ers’ favor.Saints (10-2) at Buccaneers (5-7): Saints. The Bucs were a 49ers opponent so a win from them helps the strength of schedule in the 49ers’ favor.Jets (3-9) at Bills (4-8): Jets — Give the Jets their fourth win.Colts (6-6) at Texans (9-3): Colts. The Colts were a Raiders opponent so a win from them helps the strength of schedule in the 49ers’ favor.