The defending NFC Champions haven’t been quite as dominant in 2024.
Injuries have played a role in a disappointing season so far for the 49ers, who enter Week 15 just below .500 with a 6-7 record. On the offensive side of the ball alone, running back Christian McCaffrey, his backup Jordan Mason and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk are all out of action after significant injuries.
Even so, San Fransisco isn’t done for yet. It still has a path back to the NFC playoffs, although time is ticking for the 49ers to get things together.
How could the 49ers reach the playoffs? Entering their Week 15 matchup against the Rams, here’s their path to a postseason berth.
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49ers playoff picture
San Fransisco is heading in the right direction for now, coming off a 38-13 win over the Bears last week. Before then, though, the 49ers had lost three consecutive games, putting their playoff outlook in a bad spot.
In the updated NFC playoff picture heading into Week 15, San Fransisco is still on the outside looking in, but does have multiple routes to claim a spot. For one, the NFC West remains competitive from top to bottom. On top of that, a winning streak down the final four-game stretch of the regular season could put San Fransisco in position to claim a wild-card spot.
| Rank | Team | Record |
| 1 | Lions | 12-1 |
| 2 | Eagles | 11-2 |
| 3 | Seahawks | 8-5 |
| 4 | Buccaneers | 7-6 |
| 5 | Vikings | 11-2 |
| 6 | Packers | 9-4 |
| 7 | Commanders | 8-5 |
| 8 | Rams | 7-6 |
| 9 | Falcons | 6-7 |
| 10 | Cardinals | 6-7 |
| 11 | 49ers | 6-7 |
| 12 | Saints | 5-8 |
| 13 | Cowboys | 5-8 |
| 14 | Bears | 4-9 |
| 15 | Panthers | 3-10 |
Despite having the same record as the Falcons and Cardinals, tiebreakers have the 49ers ranked 11th within the conference right now. They’re in last place in the NFC West, but tied with Arizona, one game behind Los Angeles and two games behind Seattle.
A two-game difference could be difficult for San Fransisco to overcome in its division, but no matter how it could potentially reach the playoffs, that’s the deficit it faces. The final NFC wild-card team right now, the Commanders, has a two-game lead over the 49ers.
With the Vikings steamrolling toward one of the wild-card spots and the Packers not far behind, the only position that seems to be up for grabs over the final stretch is the Commanders’ current No. 7 spot. San Fransisco is likely going to have to win at least three of its final four games to get in contention for the final wild-card spot, but it’d still need help from teams like Washington, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Arizona losing down the stretch.
If the 49ers go on a win streak and the Seahawks do the opposite, the NFC West crown could still be in play for San Fransisco as well. But with limited time to make a comeback, the 49ers need to start winning games in order to have an outside chance.
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49ers remaining schedule
The 49ers have two divisional games remaining, including Thursday’s matchup against the Rams. If they’re going to make a last-minute run at the NFC West crown, those two games will be key.
Otherwise, San Fransisco gets two challenging opponents over the final stretch: the Lions and Dolphins. While Detroit has already locked in a playoff spot as a Super Bowl contender, Miami is still in the race for an AFC wild-card spot.
Here’s a full look at San Fransisco’s final four games to end the regular season:
| Date | Matchup | Opponent’s current record | Time (ET) |
| Dec. 12 | vs. Rams | 7-6 | 8:15 p.m. |
| Dec. 22 | at Dolphins | 6-7 | 4:25 p.m. |
| Dec. 30 | vs. Lions | 12-1 | 8:15 p.m. |
| TBD | at Cardinals | 6-7 | TBD |
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49ers updated playoff chances
ESPN’s power index gives San Fransisco a 10.7% chance of making the playoffs entering Week 15, including an 8.6% chance to win the NFC West.
