The San Francisco 49ers needed a win over the Seattle Seahawks and some help from other teams to clinch a playoff berth in Week 14. They did their part, beating Seattle at home by a score of 28-16. The 49ers also required a loss by the Green Bay Packers or Minnesota Vikings to ensure they would be playing beyond Week 17.
The Vikings beat the Las Vegas Raiders 3-0 (seriously) on Sunday. That left Monday night's game between the Packers and New York Giants as the only avenue for the 49ers to become the first NFL team this season to secure a playoff spot.
The Giants upset the Packers by a score of 24-22 at MetLife Stadium. Green Bay was a 5.5-point favorite.
The Week 14 results mean the 49ers become the first NFL team this season to clinch a playoff berth and will be headed into the postseason for the third consecutive season and the fourth time in the last five years. While the team has had success beyond the regular-season schedule in recent years, reaching the NFC Championship Game during each playoff run and making a Super Bowl appearance following the 2019 season, it has failed to win a championship under head coach Kyle Shanahan.
San Francisco is currently sitting atop the NFC playoff standings. If the 49ers win out, they will earn the top seed in the postseason and secure home-field advantage.
Boasting one of the league's best rosters, the 49ers hope to win their sixth championship and first since the 1994 season.