SB Nation Bay Area - 2012 NFL Playoffs: 49ers Look To Improve Playoff Positioninghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48817/bayrea-fave.png2012-01-01T05:01:45-08:00http://bayarea.sbnation.com/rss/stream/23811312012-01-01T05:01:45-08:002012-01-01T05:01:45-08:00NFL Playoff Picture: 49ers Look To Lock Up No. 2 Seed
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">49ers</a> playoff positioning scenario is fairly simply in Week 17. At 12-3, the 49ers are tied with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">New Orleans Saints</a> for the second best record behind the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a>. If the 49ers beat the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams">St. Louis Rams</a> or the Saints lost to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/">Carolina Panthers</a>, the 49ers claim the number two seed. If the reverse happens, the 49ers drop to the number three seed.</p>
<p>Both games will be airing at 10:00am PT, so neither team will have an advantage in terms of resting players. However, if the 49ers are blowing out the Rams in the second half, it is possible Saints might make a move to start resting some of their starters since a bye would be unlikely at that point. It makes for an intriguing chess match on Sunday.</p>
<p>The rest of the NFC is close to set, but there is still some drama left. The big game is Sunday Night Football between the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Dallas Cowboys</a>. The winner goes to the playoffs as NFC East champion and the loser goes home with nothing. It should make for a hotly contested game.</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Lions</a> currently hold the number five seed and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Falcons</a> are sitting at number six with a chance to climb past the Lions. Detroit travels to Green Bay in the morning and Atlanta hosts Tampa Bay in the afternoon. The Packers have nothing to play for having clinched the number one seed and lost their first game two weeks ago. It will be interesting to see how many players they try and rest and how soon that happens. If Detroit gets the victory, Atlanta will have nothing to play for in the afternoon and could end up resting several starters.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2012/1/1/2673560/nfl-playoff-picture-49ers-look-to-lock-up-no-2-seedDavid Fucillo2011-12-29T05:02:17-08:002011-12-29T05:02:17-08:00Week 17 NFL Picks And Predictions: 49ers Look To Lock Up No. 2 Seed
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a> head into Week 17 of the 2011 NFL season with the number two seed right there for the grabbing. The 49ers can secure the two seed and accompanying first round bye if they defeat the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams">St. Louis Rams</a> or the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">New Orleans Saints</a> lose to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/">Carolina Panthers</a>. Given the injuries that the 49ers are now dealing with (<span>Delanie Walker</span>, Kyle Williams, <span>Ted Ginn Jr.</span>), a bye week would be quite fortuitous.</p>
<p>This final weekend of the regular season features games that primarily will impact some of playoff positioning within the NFC. The NFC East remains to be decided, but five of the other six playoff spots are secured. The two wild card teams, Atlanta and Detroit, are shuffling for fifth and sixth seed positioning, but otherwise, the slate is fairly set in the NFC.</p>
<p><b>San Francisco 49ers @ St. Louis Rams</b>: The 49ers could head into this game with a receiving corps of <span>Michael Crabtree</span>, Brett Swain and <span>Joe Hastings</span>, but they remain heavy favorites against a Rams team that is trying to figure anything out. The 49ers will go with a heavy dose of <span>Frank Gore</span>, <span>Kendall Hunter</span> and their dominant defense in hopes of putting this game away early. <b>PICK: 49ers</b></p>
<p><b>Carolina Panthers @ New Orleans Saints</b>: The Panthers are playing solid football lately and Cam Newton should run away with Offensive Rookie of the Year. However, the Saints are playing dominant football at home this season. This could be a really fun game to watch. <b>PICK: Saints</b></p>
<p><b><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Dallas Cowboys</a> @ <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a></b>: A week or two ago it seemed like the Cowboys were going to lock the NFC East up. Instead, they find themselves in position for a minor collapse. I've got a feeling the Giants pull this one out at home. <b>PICK: Giants</b></p>
<p><b><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsnation.com/">Tampa Bay Buccaneers</a> @ <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a></b>: The Bucs are in the midst of a 2011 collapse that has been unbearable to watch. At the same time, if the Lions beat a Packers team that has nothing to play for, this becomes a toss-up since Atlanta would have nothing to play for due to being a game back of Detroit. <b>PICK: Falcons</b></p>
<p><b><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a> @ <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a></b>: Green Bay is more than likely going to give their starters some rest time this week. At the same time, a single half could be all they need to put together a decent sized lead against the Lions. This game is a toss-up and one you should avoid when it comes to wagering. <b>PICK: Packers</b></p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2011/12/29/2667765/week-17-nfl-picks-and-predictions-49ers-look-to-lock-up-no-2-seedDavid Fucillo2011-12-27T04:00:34-08:002011-12-27T04:00:34-08:00NFL Playoff Picture: Saints Win Means 49ers Can't Rest Against Rams For No. 2 Seed
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a> will have to play this season out to its end, at least if they want a first round bye in the 2012 NFL Playoffs. First, they had their hopes at a potential No. 1 seed extinguished on Sunday Night Football, when <span>Aaron Rodgers</span> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a> locked it up by beating the tar out of [insert any team in the NFL not from Kansas City here]. Then on Monday Night Football, <span>Drew Brees</span> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">New Orleans Saints</a> abused the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a> from start to finish.</p>
<p>That brought the Saints to match the 49ers at 12-3, and it means San Francisco will have to complete a sweep of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams">St. Louis Rams</a> to maintain the No. 2 seed, a first-round bye and home-field advantage unless a match against Green Bay happens. San Francisco holds the tiebreak over New Orleans and there's no way that can change in Week 17, so it's a pretty simple thing for San Francisco: win and they get the No. 2 seed.</p>
<p>It likely changes a lot of how San Francisco was going to approach the game. Had New Orleans lost, it's likely that Alex Smith would have either not played or been taken out of the game early. <span>Frank Gore</span> probably would have rested, along with several defensive players such as <span>Carlos Rogers</span> and <span>Justin Smith</span>.</p>
<p>New Orleans will take on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.catscratchreader.com/">Carolina Panthers</a> in Week 17. Judging by the way Drew Brees efficiently destroyed the Falcons on Monday, it will be very tough for Cam Newton to lead the Panthers to a win. The Saints just seem near unstoppable right now. San Francisco will likely need to beat the Rams to lock up a bye week. That being said, they might get to rest some starters anyway.</p>
<p>Because, you know, it's the Rams.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2011/12/27/2663010/nfl-playoff-picture-saints-falcons-49ers-rams-seedingJames Brady2011-12-26T05:00:50-08:002011-12-26T05:00:50-08:00NFL Playoff Picture: Packers Secure No. 1 Seed; 49ers, Saints Battle For No. 2
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<p>It was a short-lived dream for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a>, but when the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Kansas City Chiefs</a> pulled off the upset and ended the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a>' undefeated streak, it became possible for Jim Harbaugh's team to take over the No. 1 seed in the playoffs. All they needed was the Packers to completely tank the remaining games, while winning out their own, and they'd hold the tiebreak by way of a Green Bay loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a>.</p>
<p>But on Sunday Night Football, Green Bay not only beat the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a> to secure to No. 1 seed, they dominated. As far as Green Bay domination in 2011 goes, it was rather pedestrian, but domination nonetheless (after the first few possessions, that is). I suppose if you had, say, the entirety of the Chicago Bears rushing attack on your fantasy teams this week, you came out alright, but other than that, the Bears were effectively eliminated from the playoffs.</p>
<p>Still, it's significant for the 49ers. That means that, if they make it far enough, they'll have to take on the Packers at Lambeau Field. One of the TV announcers (I don't remember which) remarked that San Francisco was the one team that he felt could go to Green Bay and play well, so take that for what it's worth.</p>
<p>It now means the 49ers will shoot for a first-round bye via the No. 2 seed, so they'll be watching the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">New Orleans Saints</a> on Monday Night Football as they take on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a>. If the Saints win, the 49ers will need to win their Week 17 matchup against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams">St. Louis Rams</a> to get the No. 2 seed, but if New Orleans loses, then the 49ers guarantee themselves a first-round bye and a divisional round home game. If the Packers happen to be eliminated in the divisional round and the 49ers get past their opponent in that scenario, then they'd be hosting a championship game, as well.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2011/12/26/2661320/nfl-playoff-picture-2012-packers-49ers-saintsJames Brady2011-12-25T06:00:44-08:002011-12-25T06:00:44-08:00NFL Playoff Picture: 49ers Closing In On No. 2 Seed
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a> clawed and battled their way to victory on Saturday as they held off the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a> in a 19-17 victory at CenturyLink Field in Seattle. It was not pretty, but it was effective as the 49ers improved to 12-3, ensuring their first 12-win season since 2001.</p>
<p>The 49ers moved a half game ahead of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">New Orleans Saints</a> for the second seed in the NFC playoff race. The Saints play the Falcons on Monday Night Football looking to maintain pace with the 49ers at 12-3. The 49ers hold the tiebreaker due to conference record, which means if the 49ers defeat the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams">St. Louis Rams</a> next week, they clinch the two seed. The same holds true with a Saints loss on Monday or next week.</p>
<p>The 49ers actually have a shot at the number one seed as well. They currently sit a game and a half back of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a>, who will be hosting the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.windycitygridiron.com/">Chicago Bears</a> on Sunday Night Football. If the Packers lose to the Bears and next week to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a>, a 49ers win over the Rams would actually lock up the number one seed for the 49ers. The odds are slim, but it remains in play for the time-being.</p>
<p>In other playoff news, the Detroit Lions locked up one of the two wild card slots as they improved to 10-5 with a big win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/san-diego-chargers">San Diego Chargers</a>. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/atlanta-falcons">Atlanta Falcons</a> are closing in on the other wild card berth and maintain the edge even if the lose to the Saints on Monday. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">Giants</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bloggingtheboys.com/">Cowboys</a> will square off on Sunday Night Football next week with the winner taking the NFC East and the winner going home for the offseason.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2011/12/25/2660516/nfl-playoff-picture-49ers-closing-in-on-no-2-seedDavid Fucillo2011-12-24T06:00:41-08:002011-12-24T06:00:41-08:00NFL Playoff Picture: 49ers Continue Pursuit Of Top Seed
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a> will travel to Washington to face the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fieldgulls.com/">Seattle Seahawks</a> on Saturday. Although the Niners clinched a postseason spot weeks ago, the combination of a <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a> loss and a dominant win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Pittsburgh Steelers</a> on Monday Night Football has the San Francisco squad thinking about the possibility of taking the top seed in the playoffs and guaranteeing home field advantage throughout the postseason.</p>
<p>As unlikely as it may seem, if the Packers should happen to lose the last two games of the season and the Niners win their final two, San Francisco would claim the top overall seed. As things currently stand, the 49ers are sitting in the No. 2 overall seed. Despite the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">New Orleans Saints</a> holding an identical 11-3 record, the Niners hold tiebreak advantage over the Saints based on a better winning percentage in conference games. So if both teams win their final two games, combined with either one or two Packers wins, the 49ers would take the No. 2 seed in the playoffs.</p>
<p>As things currently stand, the only thing that would have the Niners finishing lower than No. 2 would be the Saints holding a better record over these last two games. You can be sure that the squad is determined to finish out the season without dropping another game and grabbing that first-round bye.</p>
<p><i>For all news and information regarding the San Francisco 49ers, please visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ninersnation.com/">Niners Nation</a>.</i></p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2011/12/24/2658865/nfl-playoff-picture-49ers-postseason-2012-packers-seahawks-saintsBill Hanstock2011-12-18T14:23:23-08:002011-12-18T14:23:23-08:00NFL Playoff Picture: Saints, Packers Create All Sorts Of 49ers Intrigue
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a> find themselves in an interesting position as Week 15 rolls along and the NFL playoff picture clears itself up. The short explanation is that if the 49ers win out, they will claim at least the number two seed. They have a shot at the number one seed, but it would take a fairly unexpected occurrence these next couple weeks. They are also in a position where a single loss could drop them down the the third seed and no first round bye.</p>
<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">New Orleans Saints</a> handled their business on Sunday as they blew out the Minnesta <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Vikings</a> 42-20. <span>Drew Brees</span> had a monster day throwing for 412 yards and five touchdowns as he continues his pursuit of Dan Marino's single season passing yardage record. Brees needs only 304 yards over the next two games to match Marino's 1984 record.</p>
<p>The victory moves the Saints a half game ahead of the 49ers for the number two seed. If the 49ers defeat the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Pittsburgh Steelers</a> on Monday Night Football, they will move back into a tie with the Saints. The 49ers hold the conference record tiebreaker and also the tiebreaker for record against common opponents.</p>
<p>The playoff picture also grew murkier in the battle for the number one seed. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/">Green Bay Packers</a> lost a shocker to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/">Kansas City Chiefs</a> and now sit at 13-1. If the 49ers win out and the Packers lose their remaining two games, the 49ers would actually claim the number one seed courtesy of the common opponents tiebreaker. The likelihood of the Packers losing their remaining two games is slim, but Week 15 is showing that crazy things can happen.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2011/12/18/2645077/nfl-playoff-picture-saints-vs-vikings-packers-vs-chiefs-49ersDavid Fucillo2011-12-18T05:01:43-08:002011-12-18T05:01:43-08:00NFL Playoff Positioning: 49ers Look To Move Closer To First Round Bye
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.ninersnation.com/">San Francisco 49ers</a> are off until Monday when they face the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/">Steelers</a>, but they can still move closer to a possible first round bye on Sunday. The 49ers are tied with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/">New Orleans Saints</a> at 10-3 and if the 49ers win their final three games they secure the bye courtesy of the conference record tiebreaker. However, given how close they are in the standings, the 49ers will be rooting for optimal results on Sunday.</p>
<p>The Saints will head on the road to face the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a> in a game in which <a target="_blank" href="http://oddsshark.com/nfl/new-orleans-minnesota-odds-december-18-2011">the Saints are favored by nine points</a>. While the Saints offense would appear to benefit from playing inside the Metrodome, they showed in losing the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams">St. Louis Rams</a> that anything is possible. They should roll through Minnesota, but the NFL has featured some crazy results this season.</p>
<p>Other than that, the 49ers are simply waiting to see what the postseason will bring them. If they drop out of the number two spot, they are likely going to finish no worse than the three seed. At this point that means a return engagement with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.prideofdetroit.com/">Detroit Lions</a>, but the wildcard is far from cleared up. The Lions finish the season at Oakland, home against San Diego and at Green Bay. That is a tough stretch to wrap things up and could very well cost them a playoff spot.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/san-francisco-49ers/2011/12/18/2643979/nfl-playoff-positioning-49ers-look-to-move-closer-to-first-round-byeDavid Fucillo