
NFC playoff : 49ers in driver thanks to Seahawks Seattle’s win over Philadelphia on Monday night gives the 49ers the offense to maintain home field advantage. Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) reacts after a field goal against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 18, 2023, in Seattle. The Seahawks won 20-17. Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) reacts after receiving a field goal during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, Dec. 18, 2023, in Seattle. The Seahawks won 20-17. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) Author By Jerry Mcdonald | jmcdonald@bayareanewsgroup.com | Bay Area News Group PUBLISHED: December 19, 2023 at 5:40 a.m. | UPDATED: December 19, 2023 at 5:41 a.m. Loading your audio article A margin for error. Something the Faithful probably never anticipated in late November when the reigning NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles were 10-1 and the 49ers were 8-3. Yet here we are, after the division rival Seattle Seahawks stole a 20-17 win Monday from a reeling Eagles team that is suddenly 10-4. Both No. 2 seeded Dallas and No. 5 Philadelphia are a game behind the 49ers (11-3). The 49ers beat both teams handily so in a tiebreaker sense, life is good. A month ago, who would have considered the 49ers could wrap up their bye and home-field advantage by winning two of the last three games? If the 49ers, winners of six straight, beat the Baltimore Ravens on Christmas night and follow that up with a road win against the currently 4-10 Washington Commanders, their home finale against the Los Angeles Rams becomes moot. Imagine that. The top seed and home field wrapped up before they even take the field against the Rams. It would take a major slowdown for the 49ers to give up the bye and home-field advantage based on how well they’ve played over the last five games. Here’s how things start in week 16. PLAYOFF POSITION 1. 49ers (11-3): Now comes the balance of winning enough to retain the No. 1 seed and a bye while making sure their key players are as healthy and accurate as possible for the postseason. If we learned anything from Week 8 against Cincinnati, it’s that the 49ers need a first-round bye. Last three games: vs. Baltimore (11-3), Washington (4-10), vs. L.A. Rams (7-7) 2. Dallas (10-4): The Cowboys retained the number 2 seed despite Buffalo’s loss to the Eagles’ loss to Seattle. Let’s face it, the Cowboys are going to be suspect until they do something extra. It’s hard to remember the last time this happened. Last three games: Miami (10-4), vs. Detroit (10-4), Washington (4-10) 3. Detroit (10-4): Any thoughts of the Lions returning to the division title were erased when they completely ambushed a Denver team that played well — especially on defense. Jared Goff threw five touchdown passes as Detroit rushed for 185 yards and averaged 7.0 yards per game. Last three games: Minnesota (7-7), Dallas (10-4), vs. Minnesota (7-7) 4. Tampa Bay (7-7): With the Jaguars (possibly without Trevor Lawrence) and the Saints and a season finale at Carolina, Baker Mayfield is ready to turn his back on his critics and deliver. division title in the NFC South. Mayfield had one of his best games, passing for 381 yards and four touchdowns in a win over rival Green Bay. Last three games: against Jacksonville (8-6), vs. New Orleans (7-7), Carolina (2-12) 5. Philadelphia (10-4): Don’t discount the Eagles, who will settle for the NFC East winners on the schedule. The division hasn’t had a champion since 2005. Philly is a weak copy of last year, but it’s not exactly a day for those who play the Eagles in the playoffs. Last three games: vs. N.Y. Giants (6-8), vs. Arizona (3-11), N.Y. at giants (6-8) 6. Minnesota (7-7): The Vikings suffered a tough overtime loss at Cincinnati, but the way Kevin O’Connell has held this team together since losing Kirk Cousins has been impressive, first with Joshua Dobbs and then with Nick Mullens. . . He can do better as a coach this year than when Minnesota went 13-4 a year ago. Last three games: vs. Detroit (10:4), Green Bay (6:8), Detroit (10:4) 7. LA Rams (7-7): The Rams are a different team with Kyren Robinson chewing up yards on the ground. With 953 yards in four games, he would help pace Christian McCaffrey for a title if he wasn’t on injured reserve. Robinson can lead the Rams to the postseason and they are dangerous. Last three games: New Orleans (7-7), N.Y. Giants (6-8), 49ers (11-3) STILL IN THE FOREST 8. Seattle (7-7): Heroic enough for the Seahawks to come back and beat Philadelphia despite being shut out in the first half. Pete Carroll is the best. How can someone be so optimistic and energetic at the age of 72? However, the Seahawks always followed his leadership. Last three games: Tennessee (5-9), Pittsburgh (7-7), Arizona (3-11) New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) passes during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, in New Orleans. The Saints won 24-6. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) A. P. Photo Derek Carr (4) leads the Saints into the playoffs at 7-7 with three games to play. 9. New Orleans (7-7): Derek Carr will have a long offseason if the Saints don’t finish strong and win their division. It took a few years for some Raiders fans to separate from Carr supporters. This has already happened in New Orleans. Last three games: L.A. At Rams (7-7), Tampa Bay (7-7), Atlanta (6-8) 10. Atlanta (6-8): The Falcons looked destined for a double-digit loss from the start, and then
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