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          Kyle Juszczyk scores as 49ers try to play spoiler against Cardinals

          Christian Petersen/Getty Images
          • Nick Wagoner, ESPN Staff WriterDec 26, 2020, 11:30 PM
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              Nick Wagoner is an NFL reporter at ESPN. Nick has covered the San Francisco 49ers and the NFL at ESPN since 2016, having previously covered the St. Louis Rams for 12 years, including three years (2013 to 2015) at ESPN. In his 10 years with the company, Nick has led ESPN's coverage of the Niners' 2019 Super Bowl run, Colin Kaepernick's protest, the Rams making Michael Sam the first openly gay player drafted to the NFL, Sam's subsequent pursuit of a roster spot and the team's relocation and stadium saga. You can follow Nick via Twitter @nwagoner
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          GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The San Francisco 49ers' attempt to play the role of postseason spoiler against the Arizona Cardinals gained steam late in the third quarter Saturday as quarterback C.J. Beathard found fullback Kyle Juszczyk for a 9-yard touchdown.

          That touchdown staked the Niners to a 14-6 lead with 5:13 left in the third quarter. Juszczyk's score was his fifth of the season, a career high for the team's indispensable fullback, who has also lined up at tight end and even quarterback for a snap in Saturday's game.

          Arizona needs a victory to remain in prime position to land an NFC wild-card spot. A win and a Chicago Bears loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday would clinch a postseason berth for the Cardinals.

          But if the 49ers can hang on to defeat the Cardinals, the Bears would suddenly be in the driver's seat for that final spot. According to ESPN's Football Power Index, the Bears would have a better-than- 50% chance to make the playoffs for the first time since they were 5-2 after Week 7 should the Cardinals lose to San Francisco. Arizona's chances would drop to 45% with a defeat.