Seahawks playoff standings: How 49ers-Colts on Monday Night Football impacts Seattle’s quest for NFC’s top seed

The Seattle Seahawks entered Week 16 in second place in the NFC West and as the No. 5 seed and exited with the division lead and control of the coveted No. 1 seed. While the easiest way for the Seahawks to confirm their home-field advantage throughout the playoffs is to win their remaining two games, the Monday Night Football matchup between the San Francisco 49ers and Indianapolis Colts does affect what’s on the line for Week 17.

Current NFC playoff picture

1. Seattle Seahawks 12-3 (clinched playoff spot)
2. Chicago Bears 11-4 (clinched playoff spot)
3. Philadelphia Eagles 10-5 (clinched NFC East)
4. Carolina Panthers 8-7
5. Los Angeles Rams 11-4 (clinched playoff spot)
6. San Francisco 49ers 11-4 or 10-5 (clinched playoff spot)
7. Green Bay Packers 9-5-1
8. Detroit Lions 8-7
9. Carolina Panthers 8-7

If 49ers win: Seahawks can clinch NFC West in Week 17, but not No. 1 seed

The bad news is the Seahawks would have to play their starters in Week 18 if they want the No. 1 seed. The good news is that Seattle still can wrap up the NFC West if the following results happen:

• Seahawks beat the Carolina Panthers AND;
• Chicago Bears beat or tie the 49ers AND;
• Atlanta Falcons beat or tie the Los Angeles Rams

That would be enough for Seattle to win the NFC West for the first time since 2020, but Week 18 would be exclusively about fending off the Bears for the No. 1 seed. Chicago would hold a conference record tiebreaker on the Seahawks should the teams finish with identical records at the end of the season.

If 49ers lose: Seahawks can clinch NFC West, No. 1 seed in Week 17

San Francisco’s loss was step one for Seattle’s unlikely but not impossible path to securing the division and a first-round bye for the playoffs with a week to spare. One wrinkle? The Seahawks would prefer the 49ers not lose in Week 17.

The NFC West/No. 1 seed double clinch scenario consists only of the following:

• Seahawks beat the Panthers AND;
• 49ers beat or tie the Bears AND;
• Falcons beat or tie the Rams

Of course, if the Seahawks lose to Carolina then the Falcons vs. Rams game holds all of the importance for Seattle in terms of the division. A Rams win just about locks up the NFC West given their final game is at home to the 3-12 Arizona Cardinals, whereas a Rams loss or tie still keeps Seattle in first place entering Week 18.

And as we all expected, Philip Rivers (4-0 lifetime against the 49ers) will have a major say in what’s at stake for the Seahawks in Week 17.