After nine games and 10 weeks of NFL play, the San Francisco 49ers finally suffered their first loss of the season. As if the defeat wasn't enough heartache for the Niner Faithful, it had to come against the division-rival Seattle Seahawks in an instant classic of a game that came down to the final seconds of overtime.
While 49ers fans would like to forget about the game itself, it will probably be spoken of for years to come.
San Francisco falls to 8-1 while Seattle improves to 8-2. The 49ers still maintain a slight lead over the rest of the NFC but missed an opportunity to widen the gap with a win on Monday night.
Coming up behind the 49ers in the conference standings are the division-leading Green Bay Packers (8-2) and New Orleans Saints (7-2). The Dallas Cowboys also lead their division but sit at 5-4.
That lead may not last, though, if San Francisco doesn't return to its winning ways. The 49ers will face the Packers in Week 12 and the Saints in Week 14 before a Week 17 rematch against the Seahawks — this time, in Seattle.
Below is how the NFC playoff picture currently looks. If the season ended today, which it does not, the first two teams would have bye weeks while the first four would host at least one playoff matchup. The last two would enter the postseason as Wildcards and be forced to play on the road during the first round.
- San Francisco 49ers (8-1)
- Green Bay Packers (8-2)
- New Orleans Saints (7-2)
- Dallas Cowboys (5-4)
- Seattle Seahawks (8-2)
- Minnesota Vikings (7-3)
Here are the NFC West standings following the 49ers' first loss of the season.
- San Francisco 49ers (8-1)
- Seattle Seahawks (8-2)
- Los Angeles Rams (5-4)
- Arizona Cardinals (3-6-1)