49ers playoff picture: Odds, remaining schedule, NFC West division standings
The San Francisco 49ers entered the 2024 NFL season expected to contend for a Super Bowl. Instead, they are on the outside looking in on the playoff race as Thanksgiving arrives.
San Francisco is sitting at just 5-5 entering Week 12 and is at the bottom of the NFC West. The 49ers' divisional race is crowded enough that they could quickly emerge from the pack and take control of it, but Kyle Shanahan's bunch is running out of time to do so.
The 49ers have been competitive in most games but have a record of just 2-4 in one-score games. This has been thanks to their inability to close out games, a long-term issue for which Shanahan has yet to find an answer.
San Francisco may be better served to do that with running back Christian McCaffrey back, healthy and seemingly ready to take on a full workload. However, the unit generally hasn't been as explosive as usual without Brandon Aiyuk, who was lost for the season to a torn ACL and MCL in his right knee. McCaffrey will help restore some of that playmaking ability, but the 49ers need one more vertical threat to help open up space for their offense.
On the defensive side of the ball, Nick Bosa has been hampered by hip and oblique injuries. San Francisco is significantly better with him on the field, as the team learned the hard way in its Week 11 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, so the 49ers will be hoping he can play through the maladies and remain productive.
Here's what you need to know about the 49ers' playoff odds, their remaining schedule and where they stand in the NFC playoff picture entering Week 12.
49ers playoff odds
The 49ers have odds of +185 to make the playoffs entering Week 12, according to BetMGM Sportsbook. That implied probability gives San Francisco a 35.09% chance to qualify for the postseason.
49ers remaining schedule
It's easy to understand why sportsbooks don't favor the 49ers to make the postseason. Their remaining schedule ranks fifth-hardest in the NFL entering Week 12, as San Francisco's seven remaining opponents have a combined winning percentage of .620, per Tankathon.
Below is a full look at San Francisco's remaining schedule:
- Week 12: at Green Bay Packers (7-3)
- Week 13: at Buffalo Bills (8-2)
- Week 14: vs. Chicago Bears (4-6)
- Week 15: vs. Los Angeles Rams (5-5)
- Week 16: at Miami Dolphins (4-6)
- Week 17: vs. Detroit Lions (9-1)
- Week 18: at Arizona Cardinals (6-4)
NFC West standings
Below is a full look at the NFC West standings entering Week 12:
- Arizona Cardinals (6-4)
- Los Angeles Rams (5-5)
- Seattle Seahawks (5-5)
- San Francisco 49ers (5-5)
The 49ers are just a game back of first place in the division and in a three-way tie for second place. However, San Francisco is in the NFC West cellar because of its 1-3 record against the division. The Cardinals (2-0), Rams (2-1) and Seahawks (1-2) are all ahead of the 49ers in that category.
As such, it will be imperative for San Francisco to win in its remaining games against Arizona and Los Angeles to give itself a better chance at climbing the tightly packed divisional standings.
NFL playoff picture Week 12
AFC
- Kansas City Chiefs (9-1, AFC West leaders)
- Buffalo Bills (8-2, AFC East leaders)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (8-2, AFC North leaders)
- Houston Texans (7-4, AFC South leaders)
- Los Angeles Chargers (7-3, wild card No. 1)
- Baltimore Ravens (7-4, wild card No. 2)
- Denver Broncos (6-5, wild card No. 3)
In the hunt: Indianapolis Colts (5-6), Miami Dolphins (4-6), Cincinnati Bengals (4-7).
NFC
- Detroit Lions (9-1, NFC North leaders)
- Philadelphia Eagles (8-2, NFC East leaders)
- Arizona Cardinals (6-4, NFC West leaders)
- Atlanta Falcons (6-5, NFC South leaders)
- Minnesota Vikings (8-2, wild card No. 1)
- Green Bay Packers (7-3, wild card No. 2)
- Washington Commanders (7-4, wild card No. 3)
In the hunt: Los Angeles Rams (5-5), Seattle Seahawks (5-5), San Francisco 49ers (5-5), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6), Chicago Bears (4-6), New Orleans Saints (4-7).