A Vikings loss will guarantee the 49ers the No. 2 seed in the NFC. A Vikings win means the 49ers would need to beat the Cardinals to secure that spot.
San Francisco also has a shot at the No. 1 seed in the NFC. They would need to beat the Cardinals and get help from the New York Giants, who play the Philadelphia Eagles. The bad news is that the Giants have little to play for. A win or loss won't impact their playoff position.
The other bad news is that the 49ers won't know the outcome of the Eagles-Giants game before their own kickoff. Both games begin simultaneously.
If the Eagles are losing in the second half of Sunday's game, could that impact how Shanahan uses his personnel against the Cardinals, assuming they are beating Arizona handily?
"We'll see how it plays out, and we'll see what the situation is," Shanahan told reporters on Wednesday. "I know one thing: We would love to be the one seed, but right now, we've got the two seed, and we want to make sure we stay the two seed. In order to do that, we need to win.
"Maybe if Minnesota lost before us, that wouldn't be the case, but I'm counting on us having to win to get that, and we're not going to know until the game's over whether we have a chance at the one seed. So the way it plays out, to me, there's only one thing that guys should be worried about, and our team should be talking about, and that's beating Arizona."
Shanahan added that he does not like getting score updates for other games in these situations.
"I might look at the scoreboard here and there for a replay and following the score, but we'll see," Shanahan admitted.
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
NFC scout: 49ers' draft plan is clear—if Kyle Shanahan can resist temptation
With the 2025 NFL Draft approaching, many experts expect the San Francisco 49ers to focus early on rebuilding the trenches. However, general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan recently downplayed the team's offensive line needs during the NFL's annual meeting. "We... -
Embracing the chaos: PFF tabs Tyler Warren as 49ers' out-of-left-field draft pick
With the 2025 NFL Draft just a week away, analysts and writers are getting creative with their mock drafts. R.J. White of CBS Sports recently leaned on sportsbook prop odds to predict how teams might approach the first round, projecting Michigan cornerback Will Johnson to the... -
49ers 2025 local pro day roster: 46 players will work out for coaches
The San Francisco 49ers are hosting their 2025 local pro day today at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, giving prospects with regional ties a chance to showcase their skills in front of team decision-makers. Local pro days give teams a closer look at nearby talent. Participants... -
PFF: Why the 49ers' Super Bowl window remains open
The San Francisco 49ers endured significant offseason losses, leaving many fans questioning the team's direction—and whether contending for a championship is still the plan. Key departures have thinned the roster, and the front office appears focused on reducing future...