- WHERE: Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, Calif.)
- WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 28 | 8:20 p.m. ET | NBC, Peacock, NFL+
- TOTAL LEVERAGE: 0%
Don’t be fooled by the playoff leverage mark of 0%, which is simply a reflection of the fact that both teams have already clinched a postseason berth. Because the outcome of this game can determine a lot. If the 49ers win on Sunday night, they’re guaranteed a shot at clinching the No. 1 seed (and the division) when they host Seattle in the season finale. If the Niners lose, though, and both Seattle (at Panthers) and L.A. (at Falcons) win, then the 49ers would cede ground in the NFC standings, falling from No. 5 to No. 6. At that point, their best-case scenario in Week 18 would be merely to reclaim the fifth seed, while their worst-case would be a drop to No. 7 (if the Packers also finish 2-0). Chicago has similarly already punched its ticket, but needs another win/tie or Packers loss/tie to lock up the NFC North. Should Green Bay win on Saturday night while the Bears drop this game on Sunday night, then it’d be possible for the Packers — with another win and another Chicago loss — to supplant their rivals atop the division in Week 18.
(EDITOR’S UPDATE: The Bears clinched the NFC North title on Saturday night after the Packers lost to the Ravens.)
