“Lock and Load: Seahawks’ Thrilling Victory Over Eagles Shifts NFC Playoff Landscape in 49ers’ Favor”

It’s fair to assume that the Seattle Seahawks touchdown won’t be celebrated as much in the Bay Area as Jaxon Smith-Njigbaa’s 29-yard reception against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday.

A brilliant catch by Seahawks rookie receiver Drew Lock gave the Seahawks an impressive 20-17 victory over Philadelphia that not only kept their playoff hopes alive, but also greatly strengthened the 49ersand#039; NFC single seed extract.

As the Eagles fall to 10-4, the 49ers (11-3) now hold a one-game lead over Philadelphia and the Dallas Cowboys. The Niners basically have a two-game lead with the two having back-to-back games. The Detroit Lions are also 10-4, but the Niners have a clear advantage over Detroit in breaking conference records.

San Francisco also holds the tiebreaker based on strength of schedule and strength of wins. Seattle’s win gives the 49ers a major break in the one-seed race, meaning they can afford a Christmas loss against the Baltimore Ravens, one of the AFC’s top seeds going into Week 15, and still sit atop the conference .

San Francisco hopes it won’t need that breathing room, and while in theory the Niners could clinch the first seed now with a win against the Ravens if they get some unexpected extra help, the more likely outcome is that they put it together in the New Year and #039. s Eve after their win against Baltimore over the Washington Commanders. If the Cowboys meet the Lions in Week 17, the 49ers will clinch the one seed by winning their next two games, even if Dallas and the Eagles do the same.

After securing their second straight NFC West title on Sunday, the Niners are one regular-season goal away from clinching the top seed and, as a result, a first-round bye and home-field advantage. They are within touching distance after some huge assists from the Seahawks.