The 49ers embraced the spotlight on Sunday night, in front of a raucous San Francisco faithful en route to a 42-38 win over the Bears.
The result was a momentous one for Kyle Shanahan's bunch. Not only did it cement the 49ers as true NFC contenders. But it also pushed San Francisco one step closer to NFC West and conference supremacy.
Brock Purdy dazzled against Chicago's highly-touted defense, producing five touchdowns — and even more highlights — in an epic showcase. With a game against the NFC-leading Seahawks in Week 18, the Niners will need him to pull a rabbit out of his hat once more.
Here's what you need to know about San Francisco's playoff prospects following its win over the Bears.
MORE: How Seahawks, Bears and more can clinch NFC's No. 1 seed
49ers playoff picture
The Niners' win on "Sunday Night Football" confirms that the NFC West crown and the NFC's No. 1 seed will be up for grabs in Week 18.
The result sets up nicely for hardcore observers and casual viewers alike. San Francisco is set to take on NFC pace-setters the Seahawks on Saturday night. The win effectively freezes the Rams out of NFC West contention as Los Angeles falls short of both the 49ers and Seahawks in tiebreakers.
Simply, the winner of next weekend's duel will hoist the NFC West title. They'll get quite the reward as a result — home-field advantage throughout the postseason.
| Seed | Team | Record |
| 1 | Seahawks* | 13-3 |
| 2 | Bears* | 11-5 |
| 3 | Eagles* | 11-5 |
| 4 | Panthers | 8-8 |
| 5 | 49ers* | 12-4 |
| 6 | Rams* | 11-4 |
| 7 | Packers* | 9-6-1 |
| 8 | Vikings | 8-8 |
| 9 | Lions | 8-8 |
| 10 | Cowboys | 7-8 |
| 11 | Buccaneers | 7-8 |
| 12 | Falcons | 6-9 |
| 13 | Saints | 6-10 |
| 14 | Commanders | 4-12 |
| 15 | Cardinals | 3-13 |
| 16 | Giants | 2-13 |
*indicates a team has clinched a playoff berth.
NFC wild-card standings
The 49ers' win keeps them in the top spot among wild-card teams. They're currently slated to travel to Carolina to take on the Panthers in the first round of the postseason, although that could change depending on the results of their duel with Seattle.
| Seed | Team | Record |
| 1 | 49ers | 12-4 |
| 2 | Rams | 11-4 |
| 3 | Packers | 9-6-1 |
MORE WEEK 17 NEWS:
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- How Giants-Raiders Week 17 matchup likely decides No. 1 overall pick
- Texans, Packers among latest teams to clinch spot in NFL postseason
NFC West standings
San Francisco sits in second-place in the NFC West standings upon the conclusion of Sunday night's contest. The Niners are one game short of division-leading Seattle, although it can turn back that disadvantage with a victory against the Seahawks on Saturday.
Los Angeles, meanwhile, will have to settle for third-place in the division at the end of Week 17. The Rams can still surpass San Francisco should the 49ers lose to Seattle in Week 18 (and Los Angeles beats the Falcons in Week 17). However, if they finish with an identical record to their divisional counterparts, they'll fall short as a result of tiebreakers.
| Seed | Team | Record |
| 1 | Seahawks | 13-3 |
| 2 | 49ers | 12-4 |
| 3 | Rams | 11-4 |
| 4 | Cardinals | 3-12 |
49ers remaining schedule
San Francisco has one game left in its regular season slate: a home clash with the Seahawks. Suffice to say, that matchup will have a major impact on the postseason bracket — the winner will win the NFC West and claim the NFC's top seed.
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV Channel |
| Sat., Jan. 3 | vs. Seahawks | 8 p.m. | ABC, ESPN |