49ers will clinch NFC West with win over Cardinals

Field Level Media|published: Wed 13th December, 18:48 2023

Dec 10, 2023; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) walks on the field after defeating the Seattle Seahawks at Levi's Stadium. credits: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

The San Francisco 49ers are the only team in the NFL to have clinched a spot in the playoffs, and they can be the first to clinch their division in Week 15.

All the 49ers have to do is beat 3-10 Arizona on the road on Sunday, and they will claim the NFC West title. The Niners (10-3) are 12.5-point favorites to win. If they somehow lost, a loss or tie by the Los Angeles Rams (6-7) would also hand the division to the 49ers.

The 49ers clinched a spot in the postseason with a win and Green Bay's loss last week. San Francisco has sandwiched two five-game winning streaks around a three-game skid from Oct. 15-29.

Four other teams could punch their ticket to the postseason this week, albeit with multiple convoluted scenarios.

The Baltimore Ravens (10-3) are the only team in the AFC that could clinch, and it starts with beating the host Jacksonville Jaguars (8-5) on Sunday night. If they do that, the Ravens still need several other results to fall their way.

In the NFC, the Dallas Cowboys (10-3), Detroit Lions (9-4) and Philadelphia Eagles (10-3) all need to win or tie in order to have a shot at clinching.

Two teams have been eliminated so far — the 3-10 New England Patriots in the AFC and the 1-12 Carolina Panthers in the NFC.

—Field Level Media