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Even with their third-string quarterback, the San Francisco 49ers remain a strong threat in the NFC. Their 37-34 win in overtime over the Las Vegas Raiders kept the team in the hunt for the top seed in the conference. This would give them a bye week in the Wild Card Round and a home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
The 49ers have now won nine games in a row on the back of a fantastic defense and excellent play by Brock Purdy, who replaced the injured Jimmy Garoppolo. They're already guaranteed at least the third seed in the playoffs and, with a win in Week 18, they have an outside shot at getting the top seed in the NFC.
Let's break down the NFC playoff picture and analyze whether San Francisco can finish with the top seed for the playoffs.
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San Francisco 49ers' remaining path to the playoffs
At 12-4, the 49ers still have an outside shot at finishing with the top spot in the NFC. They need the Philadelphia Eagles to lose to the New York Giants in Week 18. The Niners themselves need to beat the Arizona Cardinals at home to finish 13-4 and get the bye week and home-field advantage in the tiebreaker criteria.
It's an outstanding job for a team that has dealt with so many injuries throughout the year. San Francisco is in the middle of a winning streak with a rookie quarterback that was - literally - the last pick of the 2022 NFL Draft and also began the season as a third-string quarterback. Brock Purdy has been historic and has won every game he has started so far.
There's the possibility of a four-team tie at 13-4 for first place in the NFC between the Dallas Cowboys, the Philadelphia Eagles, the Minnesota Vikings, and the 49ers. If that happens, then the home-field advantage would belong to San Francisco, as they dominate every team in the tiebreakers.
The first seed is real for San Francisco. The Eagles are favorites, of course, but they have lost their last two games. If you can dream it, you can do it.
