49ers news: Niners 1st to clinch playoff berth, injury updates, Deebo Samuel returner

The 49ers are the first team in the NFL this season to clinch a playoff spot, thanks to some help from the Giants on Monday Night Football.

The San Francisco 49ers claimed the No. 1 team in the NFC over the last two weeks by beating both the previously top-seeded Philadelphia Eagles and then the Seattle Seahawks in respective weeks, while the Dallas Cowboys did their part by beating Philly last Sunday, too.

It's weird to be thankful for what Dallas did, but it at least served the Niners at the right time.

However, Week 14 got a wee bit better for head coach Kyle Shanahan and Co., thanks to some additional help from another team, one that probably wasn't viewed as being of much assistance to San Francisco's playoff hopes.

But, if the scuffling New York Giants defeated the streaking Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football to close out the week, the 49ers would then become the first team in the NFL to clinch a playoff berth.

Well, guess what? It happened.

49ers are 1st team in NFL to clinch playoff spot this season

If Green Bay lost on Monday night, the 10-3 Niners would clinch a postseason berth.

Thanks to the G-Men's 24-22 victory over the Packers, San Francisco is now guaranteed a trip to the playoffs before any other team.

With Week 14 in the books, here are the top seven seeds in the NFC playoff picture:

1. San Francisco 49ers (10-3)*
2. Dallas Cowboys (10-3)*
3. Detroit Lions (9-4)*
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-7)*
5. Philadelphia Eagles (10-3)
6. Minnesota Vikings (7-6)
7. Green Bay Packers (6-7)

If the 49ers win out, they're guaranteed to have that top seed.

But that might require some good news on the injury front.