In earning an easy 37-24 victory over the two-win Tennessee Titans this past Sunday, the San Francisco 49ers improved to 10-4 on the season and got one step closer to returning to the NFL playoffs after missing out a season ago.
Unfortunately for the Niners, they were unable to gain any ground in the NFC West, as the Los Angeles Rams overcame a 10-point deficit to take a 41-34 win over the Detroit Lions, thus improving to 11-3 and becoming the first team in the NFC to punch a postseason ticket, while the Seattle Seahawks also fought back from 10 points down to sneak away with an 18-16 victory over the Indianapolis Colts.
As such, San Francisco currently sits in the No. 6 slot in the NFC playoff picture, which breaks down as follows heading into Week 16:
- Los Angeles Rams (11-3, 1st NFC West)
- Chicago Bears (10-4, 1st NFC North)
- Philadelphia Eagles (9-5, 1st NFC East)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7, 1st NFC South)
- Seattle Seahawks (11-3, 2nd NFC West)
- San Francisco 49ers (10-4, 3rd NFC West)
- Green Bay Packers (9-4-1, 2nd NFC North)
- Detroit Lions (8-6, 3rd NFC North)
- Carolina Panthers (7-7, 2nd NFC South)
- Dallas Cowboys (6-7-1, 2nd NFC East)
The 49ers, of course, will spend their Week 16 in Indianapolis for a battle with that same Colts team that nearly knocked off Seattle. But as that matchup doesn't take place until Monday night, Kyle Shanahan and Co. can sit back and watch the rest of the week's action play out.
And there are certainly several games San Francisco will be keeping a close eye on, obviously starting with Thursday night's NFC West clash.
Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks
This critical Thursday Night Football battle between the Rams and Seahawks will obviously play a big part in how the NFC West ultimately ends up.
As far as the 49ers are concerned, it's in their best interest if the Seahawks emerge victorious here, as that outcome simply betters San Francisco's odds of winning the division with how certain tiebreakers could end up playing out. The Niners, of course, have already finished their season series with the Rams, with each team winning on the other's home field.
But San Francisco, already with a win over Seattle in Week 1, still has a Week 18 date with the Seahawks at Levi's Stadium, a matchup that could very well decide the NFC West depending on how the next two weeks play out.
Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Commanders
The Philadelphia Eagles are all but guaranteed to win the NFC East at this point. The only way they can lose the division is if they lose all three of their remaining games, two of which are against the Commanders, and the Cowboys win all three of theirs. And that's just not happening.
As such, the 49ers will want to keep an eye on the Eagles, as they could end up fighting them for seeding among the top four.
Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears
With the Packers losing to the Broncos this past Sunday (and also losing Micah Parsons to a season-ending ACL injury) and the Bears beating the Browns, Chicago is back in first place in the NFC North. But if Green Bay wins this second matchup between the two longtime rivals in the last three weeks, it'll be the Packers back atop the division.
The Niners are going to be battling one of these teams for seeding somewhere, whether as a division winner or a Wild Card team, as both are likely going to get into the tournament. San Francisco will literally battle the Bears in Week 17, which could very well be a preview of a playoff game.
As for the outcome of this particular matchup, it really doesn't matter, but the Niners are probably best served if the Packers come out on top.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers
This first-place battle for the NFC South doesn't actually matter one bit to San Francisco, at least not this week.
The winner of this division, which might not be decided until these two teams meet up again in Week 18, is going to be the No. 4 seed, and the other team is going to be out. There's certainly the possibility of the 49ers being the No. 5 seed, so they might as well pay attention.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Detroit Lions
Last and certainly not least, we come to the Steelers and Lions, a matchup the Niners will be watching very closely. And the reason for that is because if Detroit loses, San Francisco automatically wraps up a postseason spot before ever taking the field on Monday night.
If the Lions happen to win, the 49ers can clinch with a win over the Colts, but they'll undoubtedly be pulling for Aaron Rodgers to take down his former NFC North rival one last time.