The San Francisco 49ers are officially in the playoffs - but with two weeks left in the regular season, they're not just looking to get in. They're eyeing the top spot in the NFC, and their path to that No. 1 seed is now laser-focused on familiar foes: the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams.
After a gutsy win over the Colts pushed their record to 11-4 and extended their win streak to five, the Niners are still very much in the hunt for home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. And for the first time in weeks, the math is straightforward: win out, get a little help, and the road to the Super Bowl could run through Levi’s Stadium.
Here’s what needs to happen for the 49ers to clinch the NFC’s No. 1 seed:
- Win both of their remaining games (including a Week 18 showdown against the Seahawks)
- Seattle must lose at least once
- San Francisco must finish with at least the same record as the Rams
Let’s break it down.
Seattle Seahawks: The Key Piece
This is where things get interesting. If the 49ers and Seahawks are tied heading into Week 18, San Francisco controls its own destiny. They already hold the head-to-head tiebreaker, so if both teams finish with identical records and the Niners beat Seattle in the finale, San Francisco gets the edge.
But if Seattle drops a game before then? That opens the door even wider. A single Seahawks loss - paired with the 49ers winning out - flips the NFC West standings and potentially gives the Niners the top seed in the entire conference.
Bottom line: Seattle is the team to watch. The 49ers don’t need chaos; they just need the Seahawks to slip once.
Los Angeles Rams: No Longer the Main Threat
The Rams are still in the picture, but they’re not the primary concern anymore. Thanks to a better division record, the 49ers already own the tiebreaker over L.A. That means if they match the Rams’ record over the final two weeks, they’ll finish ahead of them in the standings.
So while the Rams could still make noise in the playoff race, they’re not the ones standing in the way of the 49ers’ push for the No. 1 seed. That distinction belongs to Seattle.
What’s at Stake
If the 49ers win out and Seattle stumbles, San Francisco could leapfrog both division rivals and take the top seed in the NFC. That would mean a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs - a massive edge for a team that’s already proven it can dominate when firing on all cylinders.
They’ve done their part so far, especially with the win over Indianapolis. Now, it all comes down to how they close out the season against two divisional opponents. The margin is razor-thin, but the opportunity is right there for the taking.
49ers Pro Bowl Selections: Star Power on Display
The Niners’ success this season has been powered by a roster loaded with talent - and that’s reflected in the 2026 Pro Bowl selections. Six players earned Pro Bowl nods, with one more listed as an alternate:
- LB Luke Gifford (special teams): First career Pro Bowl selection. He’s been a force on special teams, racking up 19 tackles - tied for fourth-most in the league.
- FB Kyle Juszczyk: A model of consistency and versatility, Juszczyk earns his 10th straight Pro Bowl selection, the most ever by a fullback. His 194 receiving yards this season lead all players at his position.
- TE George Kittle: Continues to be one of the most complete tight ends in the game.
- RB Christian McCaffrey: A dual-threat nightmare, McCaffrey’s numbers speak for themselves - over 1,000 rushing yards and nearly 850 receiving yards with 16 total touchdowns.
- LS Jon Weeks and T Trent Williams: Both continue to anchor their respective units with elite-level play.
- WR Skyy Moore: Named as a Pro Bowl alternate.
This kind of recognition doesn’t just happen by accident. It’s a testament to the 49ers’ depth, development, and the high level of execution they’ve maintained all season.
The Final Push
The 49ers are in. But they’re not satisfied with just making the playoffs - they’re playing for the biggest prize the regular season offers. If they can finish strong and get a little help from Seattle, they could be looking at a postseason run that starts and ends at home.
Two games. One goal. The NFC West is the battleground, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.