The former NFL linebacker turned NFL Network analyst, Willie McGinest, made his predictions this week for the NFC playoff picture, and it looks like he is optimistic about the San Francisco 49ers' chances of finishing the season strong.
San Francisco currently sits at the No. 5 seed thanks to Sunday's loss to the Atlanta Falcons but can still win out and end up with home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. That's what McGinest envisions happening, and he has the Seattle Seahawks ending up with the No. 5 seed.
The 49ers and Seahawks will face each other with the NFC West division crown on the line during Week 17.
"The 49ers are not going to go into Seattle and lose with the first-round bye (at stake)," said McGinest. "If they win, they could be the No. 1 seed, and they could push them all the way down to five. Too much on the line, so yes, I'm putting [Seattle] at No. 5."
McGinest added: "it's' really that Week 17 game with the 49ers and the Seahawks that changes everything up, flips everything. And it's so hard because I know Russell (Wilson) plays so well in big games at home, but this is how it's going to end up."
Below is how McGinest envisions the NFC playoff picture looking.
| Rank | Team | Current Record |
| 1 | San Francisco 49ers | 11-3 |
| 2 | New Orleans Saints | 11-3 |
| 3 | Green Bay Packers | 11-3 |
| 4 | Dallas Cowboys | 7-7 |
| 5 | Seattle Seahawks | 11-3 |
| 6 | Minnesota Vikings | 10-4 |