Week 8's loss to the Houston Texans was a tough setback for the San Francisco 49ers, who had entered the game atop the NFC West standings. The defeat dropped San Francisco to the seventh seed in the conference playoff picture.
The 49ers returned to the win column in Week 9 with a 34-24 victory over the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium, improving their record to 6-3. The win slightly improved their playoff outlook, moving them up a spot in the projected NFC playoff picture.
Current NFC West standings (after Week 9):
- Seattle Seahawks (6-2)
- Los Angeles Rams (6-2)
- San Francisco 49ers (6-3)
- Arizona Cardinals (2-5 — play Monday night)
Update: The Cardinals beat the Dallas Cowboys on Monday night, improving to 3-5.
Looking ahead, the 49ers have a chance to gain ground in the NFC West with a crucial Week 10 matchup against the Rams. San Francisco won the first meeting between the two teams in Week 5.
San Francisco won't face the Seahawks again until Week 18, a game that could carry huge implications for the division title.
If the NFL season ended today, the 49ers would hold the sixth seed in the NFC, setting up a potential Wild Card showdown against the Seahawks at Lumen Field, where San Francisco secured a Week 1 victory.
NFC playoff picture (after Week 9)
- Philadelphia Eagles (6-2)*
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-2)*
- Seattle Seahawks (6-2)*
- Green Bay Packers (5-2-1)*
- Los Angeles Rams (6-2)
- San Francisco 49ers (6-3)
- Detroit Lions (5-3)
* Denotes division leader