In preparation for their upcoming playoff run in January, the San Francisco 49ers are focused on getting their players healthy and keeping them sharp. With the number one seed secured, there are discussions about how much rest is too much and how to maintain the team's competitive edge heading into the divisional round.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan and wide receiver Deebo Samuel have emphasized the importance of maintaining practice habits, even though players may not see extensive game time. This approach becomes crucial as the team deals with injuries, such as Christian McCaffrey's, who will be sitting out the game against the Rams.

Deciding how long to play the starters on Sunday is a challenging question for the 49ers. Whether it's a quarter, a drive, or a half, game day rosters limit the number of players who can participate, meaning some starters may need to play longer than others.

Looking ahead, the team is hopeful that Arik Armstead and Ji'Ayir Brown will be back in the defensive lineup after the bye week, while Javon Hargrave and Christian McCaffrey recover and regain full strength.

Reflecting on the history of number one seeds making it to the Super Bowl, recent seasons have seen a few instances where both top seeds faced off. Last year, the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs reached the championship game, marking the 14th time in NFL history.

Statistics show that since 1990, 18 out of 64 top seeds have lost in the divisional round, with 21.9 percent of them losing in the championship round. However, half of the top seeds have successfully made it to the Super Bowl. Over the past four decades, 52 percent of top seeds have ultimately secured the Lombardi Trophy, with 16 coming from the NFC and nine from the AFC before the Kansas City Chiefs' victory last season.

As the 49ers carefully plan their strategy for the playoffs, the debate continues about how much playing time the starters should receive on Sunday. There may not be a perfect scenario, and striking the right balance to keep everyone satisfied will be a challenge for the coaching staff.

In the meantime, the team remains focused and determined to make a deep playoff run, leveraging their status as the number one seed. The San Francisco 49ers are poised to compete for the ultimate prize once again.