The San Francisco 49ers didn't play a game in Week 8 but still managed to come away with a significant victory—thanks to the Detroit Lions.
Detroit knocked off the Minnesota Vikings 19-15, handing Minnesota its first loss of the season. The Vikings had been the NFL's last remaining unbeaten team entering the matchup.
The loss leaves the 49ers and Vikings with matching 6-1 records. However, according to NFL.com, San Francisco currently holds the playoff tiebreaker over Minnesota.
If the season ended today, the 49ers would claim the NFC's No. 1 seed, with the Vikings occupying the No. 2 spot. That would give San Francisco a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.
The 49ers and Vikings will meet in Week 11 in Mexico City, which could be a crucial matchup with major playoff implications.
Interestingly, the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams, among the preseason favorites to win the NFC West, are currently on the outside looking in. The Seahawks, however, still have their Week 8 matchup remaining, hosting the Chicago Bears on Monday night.
Elsewhere in the NFC West, the Rams defeated the Los Angeles Chargers over the weekend, while the Arizona Cardinals picked up a win over the Dallas Cowboys.
San Francisco, coming off its bye week, will host the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 9. The 49ers are currently 9.5-point favorites.
Current NFC standings
- San Francisco 49ers — 6-1*
- Minnesota Vikings — 6-1*
- New York Giants — 4-2-1*
- Carolina Panthers — 3-4*
- Detroit Lions — 5-2
- Chicago Bears — 5-2
- Green Bay Packers — 5-3
* Division leaders
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