The 49ers (10-3) are the first team in the NFL to secure postseason football this season; while making the playoffs has become the norm for San Francisco, clinching in Week 14 represents a new high under head coach Kyle Shanahan. The Green Bay Packers’ loss to the New York Giants confirmed the Niners’ spot in the postseason for the fourth time in five seasons. Although San Francisco’s place was virtually already guaranteed, the 49ers have now clinched with four games to spare after Tommy DeVito led a game-winning drive for the Giants.
In fact, since he became head coach in 2017, this is the earliest that they have guaranteed a postseason berth.
Under Shanahan, the 49ers won in Week 15 of 2019 and advanced to the Super Bowl after missing out on the postseason in his first two seasons.
The 49ers were doomed to a losing season in 2020 due to an absurd amount of injuries, but they made a comeback to the playoffs in 2021, winning in the last week of the regular season.
The 49ers won the NFC West title last year in Week 15, thanks to a victory over the Seattle Seahawks in Brock Purdy’s first road game as a starter.
It’s almost a given that the 49ers will win the West for the second straight season. If they defeat the Washington Commanders on Sunday or defeat the Arizona Cardinals, the Los Angeles Rams will have secured the division.
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