The San Francisco 49ers can theoretically clinch the number one seed in the NFC in their Week 16 matchup with the Baltimore Ravens.

San Francisco would need a lot of help to do so. The 49ers would need to win and hope the Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles all lose.

While the Niners clinching in their next game might be a long shot, a franchise first will be achieved if they defeat the Ravens on Christmas Day.

The 49ers have played only one other time on Christmas, doing so back in 1993.

That game ended in 10-7 defeat to the Houston Oilers at Candlestick Park in a game that took place the week after the 49ers clinched the NFC West.

San Francisco was a 7.5-point favorite but Steve Young was picked off twice in a defensive struggle, the defeat dropping the Niners to 10-5 and essentially ending their hopes of claiming the one seed.

There are obvious parallels to be drawn with Monday's game with the Ravens. The 49ers won the division last Sunday and are five-point favorites to prevail at Levi's Stadium.

Both the Ravens and Niners are 11-3 and Baltimore is undoubtedly capable of springing an upset. However, with the 49ers holding a one-game lead in the race for the one seed and having tiebreakers over the Cowboys, Lions and Eagles, a loss would not be as costly as it was back in 1993.

Still, a win would at give the 49ers a chance to clinch the one seed by beating the Washington Commanders on New Year's Eve, so the Niners will not lack motivation do what Young and Co. couldn't and record the franchise's first Christmas Day win.

NFC Playoff Picture: The 49ers are on the cusp of the one seed

They could clinch it on Christmas