As you will see below, the 49ers can still get a playoff bye week. However, things can go badly and they can also be a wildcard team and play a game on the road.
Best case scenario for week 17
The 49ers can still secure a bye week and the second seed in the NFC with a little help during week 17. Get ready to cheer on Adrian Peterson and his Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. In addition to a 49ers win against the Arizona Cardinals, which is no longer a guarantee considering how they played against the Seahawks, the Vikings would have to beat the Green Bay Packers in Minnesota. This would jump San Francisco past Green Bay and then the 49ers would await the strongest victor from the wildcard round.
Another scenario for week 17
If the 49ers beat the Cardinals and the Vikings were to lose to the Packers, San Francisco would still win the NFC West, no matter what the Seahawks do during week 17. They would then host a wildcard game in San Francisco. A win there would then send them on another trip to Green Bay (the 49ers won the week 1 matchup) for the divisional playoffs. This would be a tough playoff road.
Worst case scenario for week 17
Colin Kaepernick is winless against the NFC West. A week 17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals and a Seahawks win against the St. Louis Rams in Seattle would give the Seahawks the NFC West crown. The 49ers would then have a much tougher playoff road. The 49ers would then play a wildcard game on the road. A win, depending on the result of the other wildcard game, would send them to either Atlanta or Green Bay for the divisional playoffs.
Summary
San Francisco clinches NFC West division with: 1) 49ers win or tie OR 2) Seahawks loss or tie
San Francisco clinches a first-round bye with: 1) 49ers win + Packers loss or tie OR 2) 49ers tie + Packers loss
Since the 49ers play at the same time as the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, the first priority is to win their game against the Arizona Cardinals and win the NFC West, at minimum securing a home wildcard game. We'll have to let the playoff picture in Minnesota work itself out.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers playoff picture: Where San Francisco stands after win over Colts
The San Francisco 49ers extended their winning streak to five games with a 48-27 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Monday night, building momentum as they head into the postseason. San Francisco had already clinched a playoff berth Sunday when the Pittsburgh Steelers... -
49ers playoff picture: Where San Francisco stands heading into Week 18
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... -
49ers CB Deommodore Lenoir denies accusation that he skipped holiday event for special needs kids
According to TMZ Sports, San Francisco 49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenoir is being accused of skipping a charity event for children. The function, which was held on December 15, was a holiday toy drive in which Lenoir was expected to collect toys for children with special... -
49ers reflect on difficult journey to the postseason, look ahead to the playoffs
There have been multiple moments over the past several months where the thought of this San Francisco 49ers team being a number one seed in the playoffs would have seemed far-fetched at best, but that's exactly where they are with two games left to play. The expectations for...