The San Francisco 49ers, despite careening toward the abyss of NFL mediocrity, still have a path to the postseason as they enter their Week 13 showdown against the Buffalo Bills.
Yet, thanks to the rest of the NFC West’s tussle with the .500 mark, there’s a clear way for the 49ers to win the division and punch their ticket to the playoffs.
Here are the Week 13 games that will impact the 49ers’ playoff chances and which team the 49ers need to win:
Cardinals (6-5) at Vikings (9-2)
49ers need: A Vikings win. Every NFC West loss is gold for the 49ers.
Spread: Vikings (-3.5)
Seahawks (6-5) at Jets (3-8)
49ers need: A Jets win. See above.
Spread: Seahawks (-2)
Titans (3-8) at Commanders (7-5)
49ers need: A Commanders loss, although the 49ers can render Washington’s involvement moot by stringing together wins while the other clubs in the division start stacking up a few losses. Washington is the No. 7 seed entering Week 13.
Spread: Commanders (-5.5)
Buccaneers (5-6) at Panthers (3-8)
49ers need: The 49ers have a head-to-head tiebreaker on Tampa Bay, but another 5-6 team getting a loss is helpful, so a Panthers win is ideal for San Francisco.
Spread: Buccaneers (-6)
Rams (5-6) at Saints (4-7)
49ers need: Another NFC West game means another game the 49ers need the NFC West foe to lose. A Rams win wouldn’t be terrible since it would further remove New Orleans from the conversation, but the NFC West loss is preferred.
Spread: Rams (-2.5)
