Potential NFC Divisional Round opponents for the 49ers

With the Philadelphia Eagles’ loss to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 17, the San Francisco 49ers have officially clinched the top spot in the NFC. But who they could face in the postseason remains a question.

The 49ers clinch of the NFC means they will be on a Bye the first week of the 2023 playoffs. And with several starters banged up, the three-week gap between meaningful games is a welcome sight for SF.

San Francisco has also stated that Week 18 will include a number of starters, with several of them anticipated to appear in some way against the Los Angeles Rams. This is due to two factors: 1. Staying fresh with such a long time between contests. And 2. anticipating a probable matchup in the future.

Unlike other NFC contenders, the Rams might face the 49ers in the divisional round of the playoffs. LA is now ranked sixth in the conference, and a victory on a wild-card weekend would almost certainly pit them against their rivals.

However, other conflicts are possible; this is how the first game of the 49ers 2023 playoffs could play out.

The No. 7 seed: Green Bay Packers (current), Seattle Seahawks, New Orleans Saints

Anything is possible in single-elimination playoffs right? It would certainly be a shock, but in the NFC, nothing is ruled out.

The Packers currently hold the last spot in the 2023 playoffs at 8-8. Green Bay has a 60% chance to clinch the postseason currently, needing to beat the Chicago Bears in Week 18. If they beat the Bears, and then win on wild-card weekend, it’s very likely the 49ers will host them a week later.

Teams can still play spoiler however, with the Seahawks and Saints still in play.

The No. 6 seed: Los Angeles Rams

The 49ers’ rivals to the south, the Rams have already clinched the No. 6 seed with their win over the New York Giants Week 17. And while their Week 18 clash with the Red & Gold may be meaningless, could they see each other again in Round 2?

It’s very possible, especially with how hot the Rams have been the last month. LA will see either the Dallas Cowboys (No. 2) or the Detroit Lions (No. 3) on wild-card weekend. But both teams have been inconsistent in recent weeks.

If they beat the higher seed on the road in Round 1, they could be heading to Santa Clara for another NFC West showdown.

The No. 5 seed: Philadelphia Eagles

Could we see a rematch of the 2022 NFC Championship Game in Round 2? It’s possible, very possible.

The Eagles currently have the five-seed, looking like a shell of themselves the last six weeks of the regular season. Week 17 was an indictment of that, losing to the Arizona Cardinals, 35-31, at home.

To simply put it: Philly is reeling at the moment, with the unhappy franchise sticking out like a sore thumb.

But, with their playoff position they would face the winners of the NFC South on wild-card weekend. That is currently the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a team that just got demolished by the New Orleans Saints in a must-win contest.

The Eagles, objectively, have more talent than Tampa Bay, and that could be the deciding factor in the postseason. If Philadelphia is the lowest seed in the NFC in Round 2, a trip out West awaits them.

The No. 4 seed: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (current)

Someone has to win the NFC South right? Currently, that’s the Buccaneers at 8-8.

Tampa Bay has a 69% chance of making the postseason, only needing to beat the Carolina Panthers on the road in Week 18. Anything is possible, but this is pretty much set in stone.

The Bucs will face the No. 5 seed in the NFC in Round 1, likely hosting the Eagles in Florida. If they take care of Philly the first week, (and no lower seed wins), they travel to the Bay Area for the divisional round. The 49ers took care of them in Week 11 with a 27-14 victory.

But again, anything is possible, especially with star players on both offense and defense for Tampa Bay.