NFC playoff picture: 49ers take over No. 2 seed, 1 game back of No. 1 seed
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The 49ers got everything they needed in Week 17. They knocked off the Raiders, then got losses from the Vikings and Eagles to give them maximum help in the NFC playoff picture.
San Francisco is now tied with the Vikings, but their better conference record gives them the tiebreaker over Minnesota. Philadelphia’s second-consecutive loss also keeps the door open on the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
Here’s what the playoff picture looks like after Sunday’s action:
1. Eagles (13-3)
2. 49ers (12-4)
3. Vikings (12-4)
4. Buccaneers (8-8)
5. Cowboys (12-4)
6. Giants (9-6-1)
7. Seahawks (8-8)
8. Lions (8-8)
9. Packers (8-8)
The 49ers can clinch the No. 1 seed with a win and an Eagles loss next week. San Francisco hosts the Cardinals, while the Eagles will host he New York Giants.
If the Eagles win, the 49ers can clinch the No. 2 seed with a win or a Vikings loss.
At the second seed, they’d play the No. 7 seed. That could be the Seahawks, Lions or Packers depending on how Week 18’s action shakes out.
Getting the No. 2 seed would mean the 49ers host a home game on wild card weekend, and then host a divisional playoff game if they win their first-round matchup.
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