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Patrick Willis on Seattle, SF's Road to Super Bowl

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**Joe Staley and Vernon Davis are on the same page.

When the San Francisco 49ers Pro Bowl tight end told NBC Sports Network that his team "must win a Super Bowl," Davis' defensive teammate echoed that desire.

"I absolutely back him up on that," Willis, the seven-time Pro Bowler, said in a sit-down interview on NFL Network on schedule-release Wednesday. "We've been to the Super Bowl in the last three years. We went and lost it.

"We came close to being able to go back last year and this year, we have to do it. We have to. There's no question about that."

  

Both high-profile players will know their path to a Super Bowl with the unveiling of the 2014 regular season schedule.

San Francisco also has a better understanding of what's necessary to overtake the Seattle Seahawks as the NFC West champions and earn home-field advantage.

While most in the media highlighted San Francisco's two matchups with the 2013 Super Bowl champion, Willis wasn't interested in overlooking the 12 weeks of the season that precede his team's Thanksgiving night home game against the division rival.

"To me, it doesn't matter," he said. "I know for our football team, it doesn't matter. Whatever game is up, we'll be ready to play.

"It just happened to be on this kind of a stage. We'll look forward to it when the time comes."

Willis explained that the season is all about handling business to set up the must-see, much-hyped games.

"We just take it one game at a time and it's all about winning," San Francisco's defensive leader said. "It means nothing if we get (to that game) and we're not doing what we're supposed to do. So whenever it is that we play them, Thanksgiving night, we'll be ready."

Willis' NFL Network interview was staged in front of the team's new home, Levi's® Stadium. Although the 49ers open 2014 on the road in Dallas, Willis' favorite childhood team, he bragged about his new home venue.

"It's been a long time coming," the veteran linebacker said. "I remember talking about when everything passed to have the new stadium built here, now to see it, we're right in front of it now, it's amazing.

"I can't wait to have our first game inside."

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