The San Francisco 49ers control the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs after beating the Las Vegas Raiders 37-34 at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday. The Minnesota Vikings, who controlled their playoff fate, stumbled with a 41-17 loss to the Green Bay Packers in Week 17.
The Vikings aren't the only top-seeded team to stumble on New Year's Day. The Philadelphia Eagles lost their second consecutive game, the latest being a 20-10 defeat against the New Orleans Saints. That means the No. 1 seed remains a possibility for San Francisco.
The 49ers need to win and have the Eagles lose in the final weekend of regular-season action to secure that top postseason spot. The Eagles, who own a 13-3 record, will host the New York Giants in Week 18. The 49ers, who own a 12-4 record, will host the Arizona Cardinals.
#49ers updated playoff scenarios:
— Clinch the 2 seed with a win OR Vikings loss next week.
— Clinch the 1 seed with a win AND Eagles loss.
Hard thing for 1 seed is Giants have nothing to play for in Philly.
SF would be 10-2 in NFC with win. Tiebreaker over others.
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) January 2, 2023