The 49ers on Sunday backed into their first postseason berth since 2013. While San Francisco was losing to the Falcons, the Rams were getting blown out in Dallas. The result of the latter punched the 49ers’ ticket to the playoffs.
San Francisco also could’ve clinched with a win or losses by both the Vikings and Packers. Surely they would’ve preferred to clinch with a victory, but they’re officially in the tournament.
Now it’s all about seeding. Their loss to the Falcons, combined with the Seahawks’ win over the Panthers, dropped the 49ers to No. 2 in the NFC West, and No. 5 in the NFC.
It was a dramatic swing that drastically altered the NFC playoff picture. Here’s what it looks like going into Sunday night football:
1. Seahawks (11-3)
2. Packers (11-3)
3. Saints (10-3)
4. Cowboys (7-7)
5. 49ers (11-3)
6. Vikings (10-4)
New Orleans will shake up the standings some depending on the outcome of their game Monday night against the Colts.
The good news for San Francisco is two-fold.
First, they’re in the playoffs. No matter what happens the rest of the season, they’ll at least play on Wild Card Weekend in January. If the season ended Sunday they’d head to Dallas to play the Cowboys.
Second, they can still grab the No. 1 seed with a win over the Rams next week, and a win over the Seahawks in Week 17.
Sunday’s loss for San Francisco was bad, and their spot in the playoff picture is pretty bleak compared to what it was entering the day, but they control their own destiny with two games remaining, and still have a shot at the No. 1 overall seed.