How the 49ers Can Secure the NFC West Title by Week 14

The recent loss of the Seahawks to the Cowboys on Thursday Night Football further solidified the 49ers’ grasp on the NFC West crown. The 49ers were already in control of the division, and the Seahawks’ loss means that the 49ers could clinch the division as early as Week 14 if a few more things go in their favor.

Seattle’s loss was just the first step for the 49ers to clinch the division. There are a few more steps to be taken. Here’s what else the 49ers need to secure their second consecutive NFC West title by Week 14:

49ers
– Week 13: win at Philadelphia
– Week 14: win vs. Seattle
– Record after Week 14: 10-3

Seahawks
– Week 14: loss at San Francisco
– Record after Week 14: 6-7

Rams
– Week 13: loss vs. Cleveland
– Week 14: loss at Baltimore
– Record after Week 14: 5-8

With the Rams falling to 5-8, they would be out of the race since their maximum of 9 wins falls short of the 10 already reached by the 49ers.

For Seattle, although they could theoretically tie with the 49ers at the end of the season, the 49ers would hold the head-to-head tiebreaker in the scenario outlined above.

Last year, San Francisco clinched the division in Week 15 when they beat the Seahawks in Seattle. This year, they could be sealing the division a week earlier by defeating their division rivals once again.

While winning the division may not be the sole goal for the 49ers, it would guarantee them a playoff spot and at least one home playoff game. They can then focus on securing seeding with Detroit and Philadelphia (and Dallas?) down the stretch, rather than just aiming for a playoff spot.

Story originally appeared on Niners Wire