The 49ers Control Their Destiny-And Possibly the NFC
For the San Francisco 49ers, the playoff math is finally simple: win one game, and you’re in. That’s it.
No need to break out the tiebreaker flowcharts or worry about strength of victory. One more win over their final four games, and they’ll hit the 10-win mark and punch their ticket to the postseason.
And the first shot at that win? It comes against the Tennessee Titans-a team that, at this point in the season, has become a soft landing spot for offenses trying to get back on track. If the Niners take care of business after their bye week, they’ll clinch a playoff spot with three games still to play.
But here’s the thing: this team didn’t fight through months of injuries, lineup shuffles, and identity questions just to sneak into the postseason. Not after everything they’ve endured.
This is no longer about survival. This is about seizing an opportunity-one that’s suddenly very real.
Because if the 49ers win out, they’re not just playoff-bound. They’re in serious contention for the NFC’s No. 1 seed.
Yes, you read that right.
After spending much of the season grinding through adversity, San Francisco is now in position to potentially host every playoff game up to the Super Bowl. The path to Las Vegas could run straight through Levi’s Stadium.
To get there, the Niners have to treat the next month like the playoffs have already started. And while nothing in the NFL is ever easy, let’s take a look at the road ahead.
The Final Four: Manageable, But No Gimme
The 49ers’ remaining schedule is as follows: Titans, at Colts, Bears, and Seahawks. That’s a four-game stretch that’s far from a gauntlet-especially compared to what other contenders are facing-but it’s not without its traps.
The Titans are first up, and while their season has spiraled, no team in this league is a guaranteed win. Still, if you’re a playoff-caliber team-and the 49ers absolutely are-you handle business in that matchup.
Next is a Monday night showdown in Indianapolis. The Colts have been hot and cold all year, and depending on which version shows up, this could be the toughest game left on the schedule. But the Niners will likely be favored, even on the road.
Then it’s two home games to close the season: the Bears and Seahawks. Both teams are in the playoff mix, and both will be fighting for seeding or survival. But San Francisco has already beaten Seattle once this year, and the Bears, while currently sitting atop the NFC, haven’t been tested in a stretch run like this before.
Week 18 against Seattle could end up being a winner-takes-all for the division-and maybe even the conference. Sound familiar? The NFC West always seems to come down to the wire, and this year looks no different.
What Needs to Happen Elsewhere
While the 49ers can control their own win-loss record, they’ll need some help to lock up the top seed. Specifically, they need the Packers and Eagles to lose again, and for Seattle to beat the Rams on December 18.
That might sound like a tall order, but it’s not exactly far-fetched.
The Eagles have been teetering for weeks. They’ve got the talent, sure, but the cohesion?
The chemistry? That’s been missing.
They’ve looked like a team more likely to implode than surge.
As for the Bears, they’ve been a great story and have earned their spot at the top-for now. But with two games remaining against the Packers and a looming showdown with the 49ers, their grip on the No. 1 seed is anything but secure.
Why the Top Seed Matters
Let’s not forget: when Kyle Shanahan’s 49ers have made Super Bowl runs, they’ve done it as the NFC’s top seed. Home-field advantage matters for this team.
The bye week matters. And with how beat up they’ve been this season, an extra week of rest could be the difference between a deep playoff run and an early exit.
This team has shown all year that it can take a punch and keep moving. They’ve won ugly, they’ve won short-handed, and they’ve won games they probably shouldn’t have. That kind of resilience doesn’t just get you to the postseason-it gives you a shot to dominate it.
The National Narrative Hasn’t Caught Up Yet
There’s still a perception out there that the 49ers are banged up and barely hanging on. That narrative hasn’t kept pace with reality. San Francisco has quietly stacked wins and righted the ship, even if the national spotlight hasn’t caught up.
That’s fine. Let the talking heads sleep on them. The standings-and the tape-tell a different story.
This is a team trending in the right direction at the most important time of the year. And while the margin for error is slim, the opportunity is massive.
Bottom Line: It’s All Right There
The 49ers don’t need help to make the playoffs. One more win, and they’re in. But they’ve got a shot at something much bigger-and it’s not out of reach.
Four games. Four wins. And possibly the road to the Super Bowl running through Levi’s Stadium.
It won’t be easy. But it’s possible.
And after everything this team has been through, that’s all they need.