49ers playoff picture: Scenarios, chances for San Francisco to win NFC West
- - 49ers playoff picture: Scenarios, chances for San Francisco to win NFC West
Tom Viera, USA TODAYJanuary 3, 2026 at 3:03 AM
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The San Francisco 49ers clinched a spot in the NFL playoffs in mid-December, but what seed they will be determined in Week 18.
The 49ers control their own destiny and have a chance to win the NFC West and the No. 1 seed in the NFC in Week 18. San Francisco will battle the Seattle Seahawks for the No. 1 seed on Saturday night in Week 18 at Levi’s Stadium, with the winner getting the first-round bye in the postseason.
The 49ers will enter the playoffs as either the No. 1, No. 5 or No. 6 seed, pending the results in Week 18.
Here's a breakdown of the 49ers' playoff picture and how they could win the NFC West for the third time in four seasons.
makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/fo8okmfdHRvDHl_AjAyGtw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/ece3b009de0e7aba961c9dfc2585f6aa class=caas-img data-headline="Best images of the 2025 NFL season" data-caption="
Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
">Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/fo8okmfdHRvDHl_AjAyGtw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/ece3b009de0e7aba961c9dfc2585f6aa class=caas-img>
1 / 4Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
49ers playoff chances
The 49ers clinched a playoff berth back in Week 16 after the Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Detroit Lions.
49ers playoff scenarios
The 49ers will either win the NFC West and No. 1 seed or earn a wild-card berth. Here's a look at what it will take for San Francisco to win its division in 2025:
49ers win in Week 18 vs. Seattle Seahawks
San Francisco will face Seattle at home in Week 18 with the winner earning the NFC West title and the NFC's No. 1 overall seed. With a win, the 49ers will be the NFC's No. 1 seed and have a bye in the wild card.
A loss in Week 18 would mean they are either the No. 5 or No. 6 seed in the NFC playoff picture, pending the Rams' result against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. If the 49ers lose and the Rams win against the Cardinals, they would each have a 12-5 record.
In that scenario, the tiebreaker goes first to head-to-head record, which is 1-1. Then, it goes to the division record, where both teams would be 4-2. Then, because they are divisional opponents, it goes to common opponent record. The Rams are 6-2 in those games, while the 49ers are 5-3. So, the Rams would get the No. 5 seed, and San Francisco would fall to No. 6.
NFC West standings
The 49ers are currently in second place in the NFC West standings. Below is a look at the pecking order within the division:
Seattle Seahawks (13-3)
San Francisco 49ers (12-4)
Los Angeles Rams (11-5)
Arizona Cardinals (3-13)
The Seahawks won their Week 17 game against the Carolina Panthers. As a result, Seattle remains a game ahead of the 49ers even after San Francisco's "Sunday Night Football" win over the Bears in Week 17.
The Rams are now in third place and a full game behind the 49ers after Los Angeles lost to the Atlanta Falcons on "Monday Night Football" in Week 17.
The 49ers hold tiebreaker advantages over the Seahawks and Rams. San Francisco beat Seattle head-to-head in Week 1 and will play the Seahawks again in Week 18 with the NFC West title on the line.
49ers remaining schedule
Below is a look at the 49ers' final opponent:
Week 18: vs. Seattle Seahawks (13-3)
Seahawks remaining schedule
Below is a look at the Seahawks' final opponent:
Week 18: at San Francisco 49ers (12-4)
Rams remaining schedule
Here's a look at Los Angeles' remaining schedule:
Week 18: vs. Arizona Cardinals (3-13)
Who will 49ers play in playoffs? -
If 49ers defeat Seahawks Week 18: San Francisco earns No. 1 seed and a bye.
If Seahawks defeat 49ers, and Rams win: The Seahawks earn the No. 1 seed, the Rams are No. 5 seed and 49ers are No. 6 seed. San Francisco would play the No. 3 seed on the road, either the Chicago Bears or the Philadelphia Eagles.
If Seahawks defeat 49ers and Rams lose: The Seahawks earn the No. 1 seed. The 49ers are No. 5 seed. San Francisco would play the No. 4 seed on the road, which would be either the Buccaneers or the Panthers.
NFL playoff picture
Here's how the AFC and NFC stack up for Week 18 (subject to change pending Week 18 results):
AFC -
Denver Broncos (13-3, AFC West winners)*
New England Patriots (13-3, AFC East winners)*
Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4, AFC South leaders)*
Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7, AFC North leaders)
Houston Texans (11-5, wild card No. 1)*
Los Angeles Chargers (11-5, wild card No. 2)*
Buffalo Bills (11-5, wild card No. 3)*
In the hunt: Baltimore Ravens (8-8)
NFC -
Seattle Seahawks (13-3, NFC West leaders)*
Chicago Bears (11-5, NFC North winners)*
Philadelphia Eagles (11-5, NFC East winners)*
Carolina Panthers (8-8, NFC South leaders)
San Francisco 49ers (12-4, wild card No. 1)*
Los Angeles Rams (11-5, wild card No. 2)*
Green Bay Packers (9-6-1, wild card No. 3)*
In the hunt: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)
An asterisk (*) denotes teams that have clinched a playoff spot. Teams that have clinched division titles are noted accordingly.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 49ers playoff picture: Who will San Francisco play in playoffs?
Source: “AOL Sports”
