NFL Playoff Picture

Two ways the 49ers can clinch NFC West title Sunday

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NBC Universal, Inc. On the latest “49ers Overreactions,” 49ers insider Matt Maiocco discusses how the offense officially surpassed their defense as the team’s lynchpin.

The 49ers secured a playoff spot last week, and now they can clinch their second consecutive NFC West title this week.

The 49ers (10-3) control their destiny Sunday, with a win or tie against the Arizona Cardinals making San Francisco the division champion. However, if the 49ers lose, they still can win the West if the Los Angeles Rams (6-7) lose to or tie the Washington Commanders.

The 49ers are red hot, with five consecutive double-digit wins since their bye week. They also have won 10 consecutive games against NFC West opponents, the third-longest streak in the division's history.

San Francisco throttled Arizona 35-16 behind a monstrous four-touchdown performance from Christian McCaffrey when these teams met at Levi's Stadium in Week 4. However, the Cardinals were without starting quarterback Kyler Murray, who since has returned from an ACL injury that kept him out of Arizona's first nine games this season.

The Cardinals have won two of their last four games since Murray returned, so they offer a far more challenging test to the 49ers than the Arizona squad that San Francisco faced back in September.

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