49ers still No. 3 in NFC playoff picture despite beating Commanders

The 49ers did everything they needed to in order to climb in the NFL playoffs, but unfortunately, the NFC seeding remains the same after Week 16.

For two weeks in a row, the San Francisco 49ers haven’t exactly received much help from other friends from around the league.

At least friends who’d like to help the Niners improve their playoff standing.

On a positive note, head coach Kyle Shanahan’s squad pulled off its eighth victory in a row by beating the playoff-hopeful Washington Commanders 37-20 on Saturday afternoon at Levi’s Stadium. And in doing so, San Francisco improved to 11-4 on the season.

However, the 49ers remain in the No. 3 spot in the NFC playoff picture despite that victory.

49ers playoff picture: Vikings retain No. 2 spot, Eagles lose but still at No. 1

It might be weird for Niners fans to root for the Dallas Cowboys at any given moment, but Dallas actually helped both San Francisco and the 12-3 Minnesota Vikings out a little bit by beating the top-seeded Philadelphia Eagles in a back-and-forth thriller in Week 16.

With Philly now 13-2, the hold on the No. 1 seed in the conference is a little precarious.

And both the 49ers and Vikings would love to claim that spot and all the benefits that come with it, including a first-round bye during the Wild Card round and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Except Minnesota is first in line.

The Niners nearly got some help from the New York Giants in their bid to beat the Vikings, except a last-second Minnesota field goal ensured the Vikings would stay in the No. 2 seed while keeping San Francisco at No. 3.

Still trailing Minnesota by one game, at least the 49ers would own the tiebreaker if both teams somehow finish the regular season with the same record, based on conference record.

For now, though, the NFL playoffs would see the following in the NFC:

1. Philadelphia Eagles
2. Minnesota Vikings
3. San Francisco 49ers
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
5. Dallas Cowboys
6. New York Giants
7. Washington Commanders

Read More: 49ers stay hot amid punching their playoff ticket

There are two weeks left in the regular season. And while hoping for Philadelphia to lose two more games is a bit of a pipe dream for the Niners, pulling for just one more Minnesota loss is a bit more reasonable.

Provided San Francisco can emerge victorious over its final two games, however.