A look at the race for the No. 2 seed between Vikings, 49ers
San Francisco fans were probably licking their chops when they saw the Vikings trailing the Colts 33-0 at halftime on Saturday, but the largest comeback in NFL history kept Minnesota ahead of the 49ers in the race for the NFC's No. 2 seed.
The 49ers improved to 10-4 with a win Thursday night over Seattle. They're one game behind the 11-3 Vikings, who have clinched the NFC North and have the inside track to the No. 2 seed, though avoiding a tie with the 49ers is a must because Minnesota probably won't own that tiebreaker.
The tiebreaker, since they don't play head-to-head, goes to the team with the better conference record. The 49ers are 8-2 in the NFC and the Vikings are 6-3, so there's a good shot that a tie between the two would go to the 49ers and leave the Vikings with the No. 3 seed.
Final three for the Vikings...
- Dec. 24: vs. New York Giants (7-5-1)
- Jan. 1: at Green Bay Packers (5-8)
- Jan. 8: at Chicago Bears (3-10)
Final three for the 49ers...
- Dec. 24: vs. Washington Commanders (7-5-1)
- Jan. 1: at Las Vegas Raiders (5-8)
- Jan. 8: vs. Arizona Cardinals
The 49ers definitely have a more favorable schedule. The Commanders are good and the Raiders could be tough in Vegas, but the Cardinals are without Kyler Murray and fading fast.
The Vikings have to play a faltering-but-solid Giants team and then play cold-weather games at Lambeau Field and Soldier Field, and anything goes in those games – especially if the temperature and wind chill become a factor as it normally does in January.
Related: Vikings clinch NFC North with biggest comeback in NFL history
Related: Kirk Cousins rocking Vikings jacket: 'My wife dresses me'
