Head coach Kyle Shanahan figured his San Francisco 49ers to have a lot to play for on Sunday when they host the Arizona Cardinals in the regular-season finale. Being able to sweep the NFC West for the first time since the division was realigned in 2002 is just a bonus.
"I want to make sure we win this week because I'm hoping we get the one seed," Shanahan told NBC Sports Bay Area this past week. "But if we don't, I want to make sure we're the two and don't go back to that three seed. So right now, we're doing everything we can to position us for the ultimate goal."
The 49ers needed to win or have the Chicago Bears beat the Minnesota Vikings to secure at least the No. 2 seed in the NFC playoffs, ensuring at least two home games should they win during Wild Card Weekend. The Vikings ended up beating the Bears 29-13, making Sunday's game a must-win for the 49ers if they want to hold onto their playoff spot or possibly move up to the No. 1 seed with a Philadelphia Eagles loss to the New York Giants.
Everything has pretty much played out how the 49ers coach expected up to this point.
"Personally, if I was a betting man, I'd think Minnesota's going to handle their business," Shanahan said. "And then it all comes down to, regardless of Philly, I don't want to go to the three seed. We are in this two seed and we've got to make sure we stay here.
"So if Minnesota takes care of business, I don't think there's really anything else to think about. We've got to make sure we win this game so we can stay at the two. And hopefully, we win the first week in the playoffs, and whoever we play in the next week, at least we know they're coming to us."