49ers control the NFC playoffs after huge favor from division rival
The race for the one seed in the NFC looked like it would go to the wire after the San Francisco 49ers lost to the Baltimore Ravens on Christmas Day. Instead, the 49ers will have the benefit of a week off in the postseason after getting a lot of help in addition to their comfortable […]
The race for the one seed in the NFC looked like it would go to the wire after the San Francisco 49ers lost to the Baltimore Ravens on Christmas Day.
Instead, the 49ers will have the benefit of a week off in the postseason after getting a lot of help in addition to their comfortable 27-10 win over the Washington Commanders on New Year's Eve.
The Dallas Cowboys provided assistance on Saturday with their controversial win over the Detroit Lions, and the Niners then got a stunning and hugely unexpected favor from their NFC West rivals the Arizona Cardinals.
Arizona stunned the Philadelphia Eagles on the road 35-31, meaning none of the 49ers' three rivals for the one seed can catch them in the final week of the regular season. San Francisco will have a first-round bye and homefield advantage in the NFC playoffs.
The Niners could not hide their delight as they huddled round screens at FedEx Field following the end of their game to watch the finale at Lincoln Financial Field.
Indeed, several 49ers were seen leaping for joy in the tunnel as the Cardinals denied a last-ditch Hail Mary attempt from the Eagles.
"We were all in there watching, those final seconds, thank you Cardinals," said linebacker Fred Warner afterwards.
The 49ers last had the one seed in 2019, when they went to the Super Bowl, but clinched it on the final play of the final regular-season game in Seattle.
While Kyle Shanahan said the 49ers will rest some starters in the Week 18 game with the Los Angeles Rams, they don't want their level to drop even with nothing riding on the regular-season finale.
"The fact we were able to get it with one week left in the season is big," added Warner.
"We've got to continue to get better. We've got to make sure we're at our best when our best is needed when our moments comes."
Brock Purdy achieves a 49ers first as they clinch NFC one seed
Plenty of reasons for him to celebrate.
