NFL playoff picture: How the 49ers can clinch the No. 1 seed in Week 18

The San Francisco 49ers close out the 2025-26 regular season with a matchup for all the marbles against the Seattle Seahawks. The division title and No. 1 seed in the NFC conference are on the line, which marks the second such season finale circumstances since 2019. In 2019, the 49ers won that game 26-21, securing the victory with a fourth and goal stop in the closing seconds.

That year, the 49ers entered the game with a one game lead over the Seahawks. This year, Seattle has the one-game lead. Seattle is a 1.5-point road favorite in this matchup.

San Francisco 49ers playoff clinching scenarios

The 49ers have a simple clinching scenario. If they beat the Seahawks, they will win the NFC West and claim the No. 1 seed in the NFC. If they tie or lose to the Seahawks, they will enter the 2026 NFL Playoffs as a wild card team. If the 49ers lose and the Rams beat the Cardinals on Sunday, San Francisco would be the No. 6 seed. If the 49ers and Rams both lose in Week 18, San Francisco would be the No. 5 seed.

NFC standings entering Week 18

Here are the full NFC standings ahead of the weekend:

1. Seattle Seahawks (13-3) – x
2. Chicago Bears (11-5) – xy
3. Philadelphia Eagles (11-5) – xy
4. Carolina Panthers (8-8)
5. San Francisco 49ers (12-4) – x
6. Los Angeles Rams (11-5) – x
7. Green Bay Packers (9-6-1) – x
8. Minnesota Vikings (8-8) – e
9. Detroit Lions (8-8) – e
10. Dallas Cowboys (7-8-1) – e
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)
12. Atlanta Falcons (7-9) – e
13. New Orleans Saints (6-10) – e
14. Washington Commanders (4-12) – e
15. Arizona Cardinals (3-13) – e
16. New York Giants (3-13) – e

x – Team has clinched a playoff spot
y – Team has clinched their division title
e – Team has been eliminated from playoff contention

NFC South standings entering Week 18

Here are the full NFC West standings:

1. Seattle Seahawks: 13-3 – x
2. San Francisco 49ers: 12-4 – x
3. Los Angeles Rams: 11-5 – x
4. Arizona Cardinals: 3-13 – e