The San Francisco 49ers boosted their chances of claiming the NFC West title and securing home-field advantage in the NFL playoffs with Sunday night's 42-38 win over the Chicago Bears at Levi's Stadium. A victory in Week 18 against the Seattle Seahawks would catapult San Francisco to the top of the NFC playoff standings and lock in the top seed.
Week 17 concluded with the Atlanta Falcons edging the Los Angeles Rams 27-24, handing San Francisco's NFC West rival a second straight loss. The Rams were already out of the race for the division title after the 49ers defeated Chicago this past weekend.
NFC West standings (after Week 17):
- Seattle Seahawks (13-3)
- San Francisco 49ers (12-4)
- Los Angeles Rams (11-5)
- Arizona Cardinals (3-13)
If the season ended today, the 49ers would enter the postseason as the No. 5 seed, setting up a Wild Card trip to face the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte. Meanwhile, Seattle holds the No. 1 seed and would await the lowest-remaining Wild Card winner.
The Seahawks need a win over the visiting 49ers to hold onto the No. 1 seed.
For now, the focus is squarely on Saturday night at Levi's Stadium, where the 49ers will look to complete a season sweep of Seattle. San Francisco defeated the Seahawks at Lumen Field back in Week 1.
NFC playoff picture (after Week 17)
- Seattle Seahawks (13-3)
- Chicago Bears (11-5)
- Philadelphia Eagles (11-5)
- Carolina Panthers (8-8)
- San Francisco 49ers (12-4)
- Los Angeles Rams (11-5)
- Green Bay Packers (9-6-1)
Bold: clinched division
Italics: clinched playoff berth