How 49ers can still make playoffs with losing record

Despite their Week 13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, the 49ers are still well-positioned to earn a spot in the NFC playoffs.

The 49ers are in a solid position because of their victories earlier in the season over the Philadelphia Eagles and Minnesota Vikings, which provide them with the head-to-head tie-breaker advantages over both teams.

But there is still plenty of work to be done.

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The 49ers can almost assuredly earn a spot in the playoffs with three wins in the final five weeks of the season.

And under the realistic scenario listed below, they can also advance to the playoffs with a below-.500 record.

NFC PLAYOFF PICTURE

San Francisco 49ers

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DIVISION LEADERS

(Four automatic qualifiers)

1. NFC West: Arizona (10-2)

2. NFC North: Green Bay (9-3)

3. NFC South: Tampa Bay (9-3)

4. NFC East: Dallas (8-4)

NFC WILD CARD

(Three wild cards qualify for playoffs)

5. L.A. Rams (8-4)

  • Week 14: at Arizona (Mon)
  • Week 15: vs. Seattle
  • Week 16: at Minnesota
  • Week 17: at Baltimore
  • Week 18: vs. 49ers
  • Projection: 3-2

Overall projection: 11-6, No. 5 seed

6. Washington (6-6)

  • Week 14: vs. Dallas
  • Week 15: at Philadelphia
  • Week 16: at Dallas
  • Week 17: vs. Philadelphia
  • Week 18: at N.Y. Giants
  • Projection: 3-2

Overall projection: 9-8, No. 6 seed

7. 49ers (6-6)

  • Week 14: at Cincinnati
  • Week 15: vs. Atlanta
  • Week 16: at Tennessee (Thurs)
  • Week 17: vs. Houston
  • Week 18: at L.A. Rams
  • Projection: 2-3

Overall projection: 8-9, No. 7 seed

8. Philadelphia (6-7)

  • Week 14: Bye
  • Week 15: vs. Washington
  • Week 16: vs. N.Y. Giants
  • Week 17: at Washington
  • Week 18: vs. Dallas
  • Projection: 2-2

Overall projection: 8-9

9. Minnesota (5-7)

  • Week 14: vs. Pittsburgh (Thurs)
  • Week 15: at Chicago (Mon)
  • Week 16: vs. L.A. Rams
  • Week 17: at Green Bay
  • Week 18: vs. Chicago
  • Projection: 3-2

Overall projection: 8-9

10. Carolina (5-7)

  • Week 14: vs. Atlanta
  • Week 15: at Buffalo
  • Week 16: vs. Tampa Bay
  • Week 17: at New Orleans
  • Week 18: at Tampa Bay
  • Projection: 2-3

Overall projection: 7-10

11. Atlanta (5-7)

  • Week 14: at Carolina
  • Week 15: at 49ers
  • Week 16: vs. Detroit
  • Week 17: at Buffalo
  • Week 18: vs. New Orleans
  • Projection: 2-3

Overall projection: 7-10

12. New Orleans (5-7)

  • Week 14: at N.Y. Jets
  • Week 15: at Tampa Bay
  • Week 16: vs. Miami (Mon)
  • Week 17: vs. Carolina
  • Week 18: at Atlanta
  • Projection: 2-3

Overall projection: 7-10

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