The San Francisco 49ers have made sure they head into Week 18 with their playoff scenarios in their own hands. Three wins in their last four have left the 49ers with a simple scenario — in theory — when it comes to playoff qualification. However, rarely are things as simple in reality as they are in theory. With the NFL playoff picture finalizing in Week 18, let’s examine the 49ers’ potential scenarios.
San Francisco 49ers playoff scenarios in Week 18
Three wins in their last four have left the 49ers in control of their own destiny when it comes to the playoffs. However, that one loss is the difference between the 49ers simply fighting for seedings and them needing to win to clinch their playoff spot in Week 18. This all means that the 49ers know that a victory over the Rams will see them play in the postseason for the second time in three years.
Unfortunately, the Rams are also still playing for their own playoff scenarios in Week 18. The Rams need to win this week to clinch the NFC West, meaning the 49ers are not going to have it all their own way. If the 49ers do slip up, then the Saints could yet steal that final NFC playoff spot. Let’s examine what the 49ers need to do to clinch their spot in the playoffs and their possible seeding combinations.
What are the 49ers’ clinching and elimination scenarios in Week 18?
To keep it basic, if the 49ers win, they are in. There is nothing the Saints can do to stop the 49ers from making the playoffs if San Francisco wins. Additionally, if the Saints lose, the 49ers are in regardless of their result.
Where things get troublesome for the 49ers is if they lose and the Saints win. In that scenario, the Saints would make the playoffs and the 49ers would miss out due to the NFL playoff tiebreaker rules and procedures.
Here are the 49ers Week 18 playoff-clinching scenarios:
- 49ers win
- Saints lose
Here is the scenario that would see the 49ers miss the playoffs:
- 49ers lose and Saints win
Which seeds can the 49ers finish if they do clinch a playoff spot?
This is almost as simple as the 49ers’ clinching scenarios. If they clinch a playoff spot, they will be the NFC’s No. 6 seed. That will mean they would travel to face the three seed on Wild Card Weekend.
The reason is that the 49ers cannot finish above either the Rams or Cardinals. Therefore, regardless of who wins the division, the other will be the fifth seed. Equally, the 49ers cannot finish below the Eagles and be in the playoffs following Philadelphia’s loss to the Cowboys on Saturday.