The 49ers retained the top seed in the NFC despite a Christmas Night bellyflop against the Baltimore Ravens, and a pair of division rivals moved into position to join them in the postseason.
A 33-19 loss to Baltimore was convincing enough that it’s not worth wasting time lamenting what could have been had they won. Not with five turnovers and 10 penalties for 102 yards, including four interceptions from quarterback Brock Purdy.
If the 49ers finish out by beating Washington and the Rams, they’ll get what they desire — a first-round bye and no travel until (hopefully) Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas.
And while coach Kyle Shanahan isn’t looking past Washington on the road in a short week, the Rams have suddenly become the team no one wants to face based on how good they’ve looked of late. Los Angeles has won five of its last six and the only loss was in overtime to the same Baltimore team, on a punt return no less.
The same Ravens team that was crowing about beating up on the 49ers on Christmas night.
Seattle, the 49ers’ first-round opponent in last year’s wild card game, also has remained alive and is currently the seventh and final seed by winning its last two games.
Here’s how the NFC is shaping up heading into Week 17:
IN PLAYOFF POSITION
1. 49ers (11-4): Shanahan and the entirety of the roster realize that five turnovers against a team as good as Baltimore is pretty much a guaranteed loss. The fan base, however, is probably a little nervous.
Next two weeks: at Washington (5-11), vs. L.A. Rams (8-7)
2. Philadelphia (11-4): The Eagles post-49ers malaise is over after a 33-25 win over the New York Giants. Well, sort of. The Eagles led 20-3 in the third quarter, and although they moved the ball at will (465 yards) still managed to make the game closer than it should have been. The 2022 Eagles had a 126-point differential at the end of the regular season. This year’s Eagles are at plus-26 with two remaining.
Next two weeks: vs. Arizona (3-12), at N.Y. Giants (5-10)
3. Detroit (11-4): The Lions figured to be pretty good after a 9-8 season a year ago, but winning their first division title in 30 years ought to give Matt Campbell consideration for the NFL’s Coach of the Year award. Next up? Can Detroit win its first postseason game in 32 years?
Next two weeks: at Dallas (10-5), vs. Minnesota (7-8)
4. Tampa Bay (8-7): Have written in this space for the last three weeks the Buccaneers looked to be the best team in a poor division. And as long as we’re on the topic of awards, if Buffalo’s Damar Hamlin isn’t the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year after recovering from his on-field trauma a year ago (it may not matter that he’s played in just five games with two tackles), then Baker Mayfield ought to get a long look.
Next two weeks: vs. New Orleans (7-8), at Carolina (2-13)
5. Dallas (10-5): If this home/away things goes to form, the Cowboys look great in beating Detroit at Jerry World, then bellyflop in Washington before losing in the first round of the playoffs on the road. Had a shot to win in Miami but a Dolphins final drive for game winning field goal began with a Cowboys facemask and went downhill from there.
Next two weeks: vs. Detroit (11-4), at Washington (4-11)
6. L.A. Rams (8-7): Rams’ resurgence built in part from draft picks the last two years on Day 3. Kyren Williams, a fifth-round pick in 2022, has 1,057 yards rushing and a 5.1 average despite missing four games. Puka Nacua, a fifth-rounder in 2023, has 96 receptions for 1,327 yards and five touchdowns and could challenge Houston’s C.J. Stroud for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. If Cooper Kupp ever gets completely healthy, watch out.
Next two weeks: at N.Y. Giants (5-10), at 49ers (11-4)
Matthew Stafford master class. pic.twitter.com/5rk7tG6SoF
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) December 22, 2023
7. Seattle (8-7): Came back on a short week to beat Tennessee on a 5-yard touchdown pass from Geno Smith with 57 seconds left. The previous Monday, got a the game-winner from Drew Lock to beat Philadelphia with 27 seconds to play.
Next two weeks: vs. Pittsburgh (8-7), at Arizona (3-12)
STILL IN THE HUNT
8. Minnesota (7-8): Nick Mullens’ game against Detroit brought back memories of his tenure with 49ers’ and Kyle Shanahan. He had 411 yards and two touchdowns, but four picks. A quarterback doesn’t need a rocket for an arm unless he attempts throws that call for depth and velocity. Neither of which Mullens has.
Next two weeks: at Green Bay (7-8), vs. Detroit (11-4)
9. Atlanta (7-8): Trampled a playoff-hopeful Indianapolis team with 177 yards rushing and five field goals from Younghoe Koo. Falcons are threatening to move themselves out of position to sign their next quarterback, because it won’t be (or shouldn’t be) Taylor Heinecke or Desmond Ridder.
Next two weeks: at Chicago (6-9), at New Orleans (7-8)
10. Green Bay (7-8): A 33-30 win over Carolina after two consecutive losses didn’t do a lot to inspire confidence in a season that a month ago looked as if it could end in the playoffs. Green Bay defense at least boosted the spirit of Bryce Young, last year’s No. 1 overall draft pick. Young passes for a career-high 312 yards and two touchdowns against the Packers.
Next two weeks: at Minnesota (7-8), vs. Chicago (6-9)
11.New Orleans (7-8): Ever seen this before? Derek Carr throws a bad interception that helps put his team on the wrong side of a 27-7 score, then helps engineer a furious rally, put up some solid stats only to lose 30-22 to the Rams. The Saint were the prohibitive division favorite at the start of the season and are now a long shot.
Next two weeks: at Tampa Bay (8-7), vs. Atlanta (7-8)
JOCKEYING FOR THE DRAFT
12. Chicago (6-9), 13. N.Y. Giants (5-10), 14. Washington (4-11), 15. Arizona (3-12), 16. Carolina (2-13)
SCOPING THE AFC
It’s been a two-way street for the Chiefs in the strangest of years. The supporting cast of Patrick Mahomes has made the NFL’s premiere talent look bad. And to be fair, Mahomes hasn’t done a lot to elevate the level of play of that supporting cast . . . could Joe Flacco, owner of the one of the best postseasons in NFL history with the old incarnation of the Cleveland Browns actually go back to the Super Bowl with the city’s replacement team?
Current seeding for postseason
1. Baltimore (12-3), 2. Miami (11-4), 3. Kansas City (9-6), 4. Jacksonville (8-7), 5. Cleveland (10-5), 6. Buffalo (9-6), 7. Indianapolis (8-7).
Still in the hunt
8 Houston (8-7), 9. Pittsburgh (8-7), 10. Cincinnati (8-7), 11. Las Vegas (7-8), 12. Denver (7-8)
Outside looking in
13. N.Y. Jets (6-9), 14. Tennessee (5-10), 15. L.A. Chargers (5-10), 16. New England (4-11)
Source: www.mercurynews.com