The San Francisco 49ers endured a difficult Christmas Day with their defeat to the Baltimore Ravens, but the odds of them ringing in the new year in style have improved.

San Francisco will clinch the number one seed in the NFC if it wins its final two games. The 49ers could seal the top seed with a road victory over Washington on New Year's Eve if the Dallas Cowboys beat the Detroit Lions and the Arizona Cardinals stun the Philadelphia Eagles.

Heavy favorites to prevail at FedEx Field, the Niners have no room to get complacent and risk suffering a defeat that could rob them of a first-round bye and homefield advantage, but the potential equalizers that could give Washington more of a chance are fewer after head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed the Niners' injury report.

49ers injury report

Injury report observations

Crucially for Brock Purdy and the 49er offense, All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams does not carry an injury designation having suffered a groin injury in the loss to the Ravens.

Aaron Banks being questionable is also a huge boost for the offensive line, the starting left guard having missed the week's first two practices with a toe injury. If he is healthy enough to go, the 49ers will have their entire starting offensive line available for a game in which they will face a pair of formidable defensive tackles in Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne. With Jaylon Moore out, Matt Pryor should deputize at swing tackle.

Shanahan said rookie safety Ji'Ayir Brown had been pushing to play, suggesting there is hope he will recover from a knee sprain in time for the Niners' regular-season finale with the Los Angeles Rams despite a knee sprain. Logan Ryan will almost certainly be the starter next to Tashaun Gipson in his absence.

Provided Ambry Thomas can play, the secondary will otherwise be in good shape for the final road game of the regular season. Up front, however, Arik Armstead is unsurprisingly set to miss a fourth straight game, with Sebastian Joseph-Day likely to see action at defensive tackle after signing with the 49ers this week.

Deebo Samuel (neck) and Javon Hargrave (hamstring) were limited in practice earlier this week but do not carry a designation.

Asked if there was concern for Jauan Jennings' concussion, Shanahan said the wide receiver had taken "positive steps" this week.

Linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles is a new addition to the injury report with an illness. However, him missing out would not be a huge issue as starting SAM linebacker Oren Burks (knee) does not carry an injury designation.

Similarly, Elijah Mitchell does not have a designation and his return from a knee injury makes Jordan Mason's potential absence through illness less of an issue.

49ers-Commanders broadcast map: Will you be able to watch on TV?

They could clinch the one seed.