How Cowboys’ win over Lions helps 49ers in race for NFC No. 1 seed originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
The Dallas Cowboys’ 20-19 win over the Detroit Lions on Saturday night at AT&T Stadium significantly impacted the 49ers’ home-field advantage;elm:context_link;itc:0″>path to securing home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs.
The highly controversial penalty in the Lions’ loss on a highly controversial penalty called on a two-point conversion attempt now leaves an opportunity for the 49ers to clinch the NFC’s No. 1 seed as soon as Sunday.
If San Francisco wins against the Washington Commanders on Sunday at FedExField, and if the Philadelphia Eagles lose to the Arizona Cardinals, the top seed will be secured for the 49ers.
After losing to Dallas, Detroit moved to 11-5, but the 49ers hold a tiebreaker advantage over Detroit because of its superior record in NFC games (9-1 versus 7-4).
Should San Francisco beat Washington and Philadelphia win its matchup with Arizona at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday, the 49ers will secure a first-round bye regardless of the results of Detroit and Philadelphia’s Week 18 games.
Here’s what the updated NFC Week 17 playoff scenarios look like after Dallas’ win Saturday:
Clinched
San Francisco 49ers (11-4): NFC West title
Detroit Lions (11-5): NFC North title
Philadelphia Eagles (11-4): Playoff berth
Dallas Cowboys (11-5): Playoff berth
49ers
Clinch NFC’s No. 1 seed, lone first-round bye and home-field advantage with:
— Win over Washington Commanders + Eagles loss to Arizona Cardinals
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7)
Clinch playoff berth and NFC South title with:
— Win over New Orleans Saints OR
— Tie vs. Saints + Atlanta Falcons loss to Chicago Bears
Seattle Seahawks (8-7)
Clinch playoff berth with:
— Win over Pittsburgh Steelers + Green Bay Packers-Minnesota Vikings tie
Los Angeles Rams (8-7)
Clinch playoff berth with:
— Win over New York Giants + Seahawks loss to Steelers OR
— Win over Giants + Packers-Vikings tie
