The San Francisco 49ers just wrapped up a dream Week 16-and they didn’t even need to play a full slate of games to come out on top.
It all started on Thursday night, when the Seattle Seahawks took down the Los Angeles Rams. That result alone gave the Niners a golden opportunity: win out, and they don’t just take the NFC West-they claim the No. 1 seed in the entire conference. That’s home-field advantage and a first-round bye, all within reach.
Then came Sunday, and another gift: the Pittsburgh Steelers knocked off the Detroit Lions. That result officially punched San Francisco’s ticket to the postseason.
And just to put a bow on it, the Niners handled their own business on Monday, lighting up the scoreboard in a 48-27 win over the Indianapolis Colts. Brock Purdy was at the center of it all, delivering a performance that will be talked about for a long time in the Bay Area-historic, efficient, and dominant.
So yes, Week 16 was about as good as it gets for Kyle Shanahan’s squad. But now the focus shifts to the final two weeks, where the stakes couldn’t be higher.
NFC Playoff Picture After Week 16
Here’s how the NFC is stacking up heading into Week 17:
- Seattle Seahawks (12-3, 1st NFC West)*
- Chicago Bears (11-4, 1st NFC North)*
- Philadelphia Eagles (10-5, 1st NFC East)**
- Carolina Panthers (8-7, 1st NFC South)
- San Francisco 49ers (11-4, 2nd NFC West)*
- Los Angeles Rams (11-4, 3rd NFC West)*
- Green Bay Packers (9-5-1, 2nd NFC North)
- Detroit Lions (8-7, 3rd NFC North)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8, 2nd NFC South)
(* = Clinched Playoff Berth, ** = Clinched Division)
What does this mean for the 49ers? Simple: win their final two games-against the Bears in Week 17 and the Seahawks in Week 18-and they’ll leapfrog everyone to take the top spot in the NFC. That would give them their 23rd division title and the coveted No. 1 seed.
But that’s easier said than done. The Bears and Seahawks are no pushovers, and the Niners can’t afford to stumble.
That’s why they’ll be keeping a close eye on several other key matchups around the league this week. Let’s break down the games that could have a ripple effect on San Francisco’s playoff path.
Games the 49ers Will Be Watching in Week 17
Ravens at Packers
Green Bay is in a strong position after Detroit’s loss last week. All the Packers need is one win-or one more Lions loss-and they’re in. That next Lions loss could come as soon as Christmas Day when they face the Vikings.
As for the 49ers, they can actually help the Packers by beating the Bears. But here’s where it gets interesting: if the Packers don’t win the division, they’re still lurking in the wild-card mix-and could potentially catch San Francisco in the standings if things go sideways. So while the Niners are mostly focused on their own road, a Packers loss to Baltimore wouldn’t hurt.
Seahawks at Panthers
This one’s straightforward. The Niners need to beat Seattle in Week 18, but if the Seahawks drop this game to the Panthers first, it gives San Francisco a bit more breathing room. A Carolina win would be a welcome bonus, especially if the Niners slip up against Chicago.
Eagles at Bills
The Eagles have already clinched the NFC East, but their seeding is still very much in flux. If the 49ers, Seahawks, and Rams all end up in a tiebreaker scenario, things could get complicated.
A Philadelphia loss here would help San Francisco in any potential seeding battle. So yes, the Niners will be rooting for Buffalo in this one.
Rams at Falcons
While not explicitly detailed, this game still holds weight. The Rams are right there with San Francisco and Seattle in the NFC West logjam. Any stumble by L.A. could give the 49ers a clearer path to the division crown or higher playoff positioning.
What’s Next for the 49ers?
It’s all right in front of them. Two more wins, and the 49ers control their own destiny: division champs, No. 1 seed, and a first-round bye.
But the margin for error is razor thin. Every game matters from here on out-not just the ones they play, but the ones unfolding across the NFC.
So buckle up. The final stretch of the regular season is here, and the Niners are in the thick of it. Week 16 was great-but Week 17 might just be decisive.