NFC playoff picture: How 49ers compare to other wild-card hopefuls
SANTA CLARA — Three games remain between the 49ers and a likely playoff return. They remain in the NFC’s No. 6 playoff spot, though they’re not locked into a wild-card berth just yet.
Nor is the division clinched by either the Los Angeles Rams (9-4) or Arizona Cardinals (10-4).
Sunday’s 31-13 home win over the Atlanta Falcons pushed the 49ers to an 8-6 record, so the NFC West is likely out of reach.
In other divisions, the Green Bay Packers (11-3) clinched the NFC North, while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-4) and the Dallas Cowboys (10-4) are closing in on NFC South and East titles, respectively.
So where do things stand with the 49ers and their competitors for wild-card spots? Here are some tiebreaker factors if it’s down to two teams (more convoluted scenarios exist but this is as streamlined as it looks):
* * *
Cardinals (10-4) — current No. 4 seed
Remaining schedule: vs. Colts (Saturday); at Cowboys (Jan. 2); vs. Seahawks (Jan. 9)
Head-to-head wins: 49ers (two), Vikings; Seahawks (Jan. 9 rematch awaits); split with Rams
Conference record: 6-4
Strength of victory: .452
Strength of schedule: 466
* * *
Rams (9-4) — No. 5
Remaining schedule: vs. Seahawks (Tuesday); at Vikings (Sunday); at Ravens (Jan. 2); vs. 49ers (Jan. 9)
Head-to-head wins: Seahawks (Tuesday rematch awaits); split with Cardinals
Conference record: 6-3
Strength of victory: .391
Strength of schedule: 481
* * *
49ERS (8-6) — No. 6
Remaining schedule: at Tennessee Titans (Thursday); vs. Houston Texans (Jan. 2); at Rams (Jan. 9; could flex to Jan. 8)
Head-to-head wins: Falcons, Eagles, Vikings, Rams (Jan. 9 rematch awaits)
Conference record: 6-5 (two NFC games left)
Common games: They’d lose this category to the Rams and the Cardinals; they’d either tie or lose to the Saints and Washington.
Strength of victory: .403
Strength of schedule: .487
* * *
Saints (7-7) — No. 7
Remaining schedule: vs. Dolphins (Dec. 27); vs. Panthers (Jan. 2); at Falcons (Jan. 9)
Head-to-head wins: Washington, Buccaneers (twice, if it comes down to NFC South title)
Conference record: 5-5
Strength of victory: .563
Strength of schedule: .528
* * *
Washington (6-7)
Remaining schedule: at Eagles (Tuesday); at Cowboys (Sunday); vs. Eagles (Jan. 2); at Giants (Jan. 9)
Head-to-head wins: Seahawks
Conference record: 5-3
Strength of victory: .439
Strength of schedule: .539
* * *
Eagles (6-7)
Remaining schedule: vs. Washington (Monday); vs. Giants (Sunday); at Washington (Jan. 2); vs. Cowboys (Jan. 9)
Head-to-head wins: Saints, Falcons
Conference record: 4-4
Strength of victory: .363
Strength of schedule: .478
* * *
Vikings (6-7)
Remaining schedule: at Bears (tonight); vs. Rams (Sunday); at Packers (Jan. 2); vs. Bears (Jan. 9)
Head-to-head wins: Seahawks
Conference record: 4-4
Strength of victory: .470
Strength of schedule: 514
* * *
Falcons (6-8)
Remaining schedule: vs. Lions (Sunday); at Bills (Jan. 2); vs. Saints (Jan. 9)
Head-to-head wins: Saints
Conference record: 3-7
Strength of victory: .333
Strength of schedule: .474
* * *
Seahawks (5-8)
Remaining schedule: at Rams (Tuesday); vs. Bears (Sunday); vs. Lions (Jan. 2); at Cardinals (Jan. 9)
Head-to-head wins: 49ers (two)
Conference record: 2-6
Strength of victory: .414
Strength of schedule: .528