The 49ers are clinging to hope amid a tumultuous season, but it could all come to an end in Week 16.
San Francisco needs a win and some help to keep itself in playoff contention for one more week, setting up a tense day for an organization that entered the year with Super Bowl expectations.
In many ways, it feels like this just might not be the 49ers’ year. Injuries have affected both sides of the ball, and a touchdown-less performance against the Rams in Week 15 left the team with a distant path to the playoffs.
For now, though, there is a path for the 49ers. Here’s a look at San Francisco’s updated playoff chances and elimination scenarios for Week 16.
49ers playoff picture
The 49ers were nearly eliminated from NFC West contention in Week 15, but the Seahawks’ loss to the Packers kept San Francisco’s hopes alive. Their outlook is still bleak, however.
A loss for San Francisco or a win by any of the other three NFC West teams in Week 16 would end the 49ers’ divisional hopes. That means four different results would have to go their way just for their NFC West chances to survive to Week 17.
The 49ers’ wild-card chances are also slim, and there are a handful of scenarios that could eliminate them from playoff contention entirely in Week 16.
A loss would mark the end for the 49ers, as would wins by both the Seahawks AND Rams. Other combinations that could eliminate San Francisco are wins by the Seahawks AND Commanders, wins by the Cardinals AND Commanders, and wins by the Falcons AND Buccaneers along with a win by any of the other three NFC West teams.
More simply, it would take a major stroke of luck for the 49ers just to make it to Week 17 with their postseason odds still alive.