49ers Insider Matt Maiocco breaks down the Niners “business-like approach” in their Week 15 win over the Atlanta Falcons
The 49ers remain in the No. 6 slot in the NFC playoff picture with three games remaining in the regular season.
Three teams are one game behind the 49ers (8-6), and the 49ers have the head-to-head tie-breaker edges over two of them: Minnesota and Philadelphia.
The New Orleans Saints’ upset victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday night pulled them to 7-7 on the season.
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Currently, the 49ers sit with an 81-percent chance to earn a spot in the NFC playoffs, according to FiveThirtyEight.
A victory Thursday night over the Tennessee Titans would increase the 49ers’ playoff chances to 94 percent, according to the site. A loss would drop the 49ers to a 69-percent chance with games remaining against the Houston Texans and Los Angeles Rams.
Here is a look at the teams battling for the NFC’s seven postseason spots at the beginning of Week 16 of the NFL schedule:
NFC PLAYOFF PICTURE
San Francisco 49ers
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DIVISION LEADERS
(Four automatic qualifiers)
1, NFC North: Green Bay Packers (11-3)
2, NFC East: Dallas Cowboys (10-4)
3, NFC South: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-4)
4, NFC West: Arizona Cardinals (10-4)
NFC WILD CARD
(Three wild cards qualify for playoffs)
5. Los Angeles Rams (10-4)
Week 16: at Minnesota Vikings
Week 17: at Baltimore Ravens
Week 18: vs. 49ers
6. 49ers (8-6)
Week 16: at Tennessee Titans (Thurs)
Week 17: vs. Houston Texans
Week 18: at Los Angeles Rams
7. Minnesota Vikings (7-7)
Week 16: vs. Los Angeles Rams
Week 17: at Green Bay Packers
Week 18: vs. Chicago Bears
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8. Philadelphia Eagles (7-7)
Week 16: vs. New York Giants
Week 17: at Washington Football Team
Week 18: vs. Dallas Cowboys
9. New Orleans Saints (7-7)
Week 16: vs. Miami Dolphins (Mon)
Week 17: vs. Carolina Panthers
Week 18: at Atlanta Falcons
10. Washington Football Team (6-8)
Week 16: at Dallas Cowboys
Week 17: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Week 18: at New York Giants
11. Atlanta Falcons (6-8)
Week 16: vs. Detroit Lions
Week 17: at Buffalo Bills
Week 18: vs. New Orleans Saints
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