NFL playoff picture: What does Bears-49ers mean for NFC standings in Week 17

The San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears square off on Sunday Night Football in a Week 17 matchup that could be a playoff preview. The 49ers and Bears are both headed to the 2026 NFL Playoffs, and they could very well end up as the top two seeds in the NFC.

Both teams enter the game with an 11-4 record. The 49ers are a 3.5-point favorite at home in this matchup. Below is a look at what it means for the 2026 NFL Playoffs.

Chicago Bears playoff picture

The Bears clinched the NFC North title on Saturday without even playing. The Packers had a chance at the division title heading into Week 17, but their loss to the Ravens ended that opportunity and clinched the division for Chicago.

Chicago heads into Week 17 Sunday guaranteed no worse than the No. 3 seed. If they beat the 49ers or the Eagles lose to the Bills on Sunday, Chicago is guaranteed no worse than the No. 2 seed. If they beat the 49ers, they have a shot at the No. 1 seed. They are a game back of the Seahawks in the NFC and tied with the 49ers and Seahawks. If they beat the 49ers on Sunday and beat the Lions in Week 18, they would claim the No. 1 seed if the Seahawks lose one of their two remaining games to the Panthers or 49ers.

San Francisco 49ers playoff picture

The 49ers clinched a playoff berth last week after the Lions lost to the Steelers. The 49ers are a game back of the Seahawks and tied with the Rams in the NFC West. If the 49ers beat the Bears and the Seahawks, they will win the division and also claim the No. 1 seed. If they lose to the Bears, they could still win the division, but would need help in Week 17 with a Seahawks loss to the Panthers and a Rams loss to the Falcons, and then they would need to beat the Seahawks in Week 18.

Tiebreaker implications

This game will settle the head-to-head tiebreaker between the 49ers and Bears.