ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 16: Micah Parsons #11 of the Dallas Cowboys attempts to tackle Deebo Samuel #19 of the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter in the NFC Wild Card Playoff game at AT&T Stadium on January 16, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
All 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan wants is a chance to get into what he calls “the tournament.”
Even with a 4-4 record, the 49ers are already in position with the No. 7 and final seed in the NFC. And while catching the unbeaten Philadelphia Eagles may be problematic, the NFC West and a home playoff berth remain very much in play.
A look at how the NFC is currently seeded near the midway point of the season:
1. Philadelphia Eagles (8-0)
Ranks: Third in scoring offense (28.1), fourth in scoring defense (16.9)
Outlook: Looks like smooth sailing for the NFC East leaders to 14-3 or 13-4 at worst. Key games include at Dallas in Week 16 and home vs. Giants in Week 18. A good chance they won’t have to go on the road in the playoffs. Turnover margin of plus-15 is far and away the best in the NFL and a remarkable total through eight games.
Quarterback: Jalen Hurts has 12 touchdown passes and just two interceptions and has rushed for 326 yards and six touchdowns. He’s a viable MVP candidate along with Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes.
Concerns: Regarding that massive turnover differential, what happens against a playoff-quality team who takes care of the ball?
The 49ers’ matchup: Coach Kyle Shanahan would take dead aim at Philadelphia’s run defense, which has given up 5.1 yards per attempt.
2. Minnesota Vikings (6-1)
Ranks: Ninth in scoring offense (24.7), 14th in scoring defense (20.6)
Outlook: In command of the NFC North under rookie coach Kevin O’Connell as the other three teams each have five or more losses. Za’Darius Smith has added a badly needed pass rush element with 8 ½ sacks defensively.
Quarterback: Kirk Cousins is at his best when not asked to carry the offense with his arm. The better running back Dalvin Cook plays, the better Cousins plays. Has elite 1-2 receiving punch in Justin Jefferson and Adam Theilen.
Concerns: Schedule indicates Vikings could be paper tigers. Lost a one-sided game to Philadelphia in Week 1. Win over Dolphins without Tua Tagovaiola was their only victory over team with a winning record.
The 49ers’ matchup: Vikings are giving up a whopping 383.1 yards per game on defense. Cousins is 2-1 in the regular season vs. 49ers but 0-1 in the playoffs.
3. Seattle Seahawks (5-3)
Ranks: Fourth in scoring offense (26.3), 26th in scoring defense (24.9)
Outlook: Surprise leaders of the NFC West in a year where they were expected to finish fourth. Through eight games, one of the finest coaching jobs by Pete Carroll. Have won last three vs. Cardinals, Chargers and Giants.
Quarterback: None other than Geno Smith, who against all odds has actually been an upgrade over Russell Wilson. Smith is completing 72.7 percent of his passes with 13 touchdowns and just three interceptions.
Concerns: Loss of Rashad Penny after five games could show up later in terms of strong running game especially if rookie Kenneth Walker III falters. Giving up 4.7 yards per carry on the ground defensively.
The 49ers’ matchup: Rematch in Seattle is on Thursday night, Dec. 15 after the 49ers prevailed 27-7 in Week 2 in the game Trey Lance was lost for the season to a broken fibula.
4. Atlanta Falcons (4-4)
Ranks: Sixth in scoring offense (25.0), 29th in scoring defense (25.6)
Outlook: A game up on Tampa Bay and New Orleans in the NFC South standings, the division could be there for the taking with nine wins. Atlanta’s power running and ball control help compensate for a defense that gives up too much.
Quarterback: Marcus Mariota is back a starter after two seasons as Derek Carr’s backup with the Raiders and has acquitted himself well within the confines of what the Falcons ask him to do as a passer and occasional runner.
Concerns: Extremely narrow formula of power football and time of possession will make things difficult if Atlanta falls behind against anyone.
The 49ers’ matchup: Successfully played bully-ball against the 49ers in a 28-14 win on Oct. 15, though the 49ers were missing several key players on both sides of the ball.
5. Dallas Cowboys (6-2)
Ranks: 14th in scoring offense (22.9), third in scoring defense (16.6)
Outlook: Second in the NFC East, the Cowboys owe a big debt of gratitude to backup quarterback Cooper Rush. He won four of five starts, taking care of the ball with the Cowboys winning on defense. Defense alone should get the Cowboys into the tournament. Micah Parsons is a game-wrecker.
Quarterback: Dak Prescott is back and could be the better for his absence with the Cowboys realizing he doesn’t need big stats to win as much as a balanced attack.
Concerns: Anyone else concerned with some kind of incomprehensible collapse? Especially with Mike McCarthy as coach and Sean Payton available.
The 49ers’ matchup: Lost to Jimmy Garoppolo a year ago with a bad thumb and a bum shoulder. The Cowboys are ranked 25th against the run and could have their hands full with Christian McCaffrey, Elijah Mitchell and Deebo Samuel.
6. New York Giants (6-2)
Ranks: 21st in scoring offense (20.4), seventh in scoring defense (19.6)
Outlook: Third in the NFC East, the Giants are a threat to make the playoffs under rookie coach Brian Daboll after five straight seasons of 10 or more losses and could be 8-2 heading into a Dallas rematch with upcoming games against Houston and Detroit.
Quarterback: Daniel Jones has taken to Daboll’s offense as a safe passer with the ability to run the ball. He had three offensive coordinators in his first three seasons with the Giants – Mike Shula, Jason Garrett and Freddie Kitchens.
Concerns: A huge amount of the Giants’ attack rests with running back Saquon Barkley (779 yards rushing). Good defensive teams can have their way with a one-trick pony.
The 49ers’ matchup: Another team that is challenged when it comes to run defense, giving up 5.5 yards per attempt. That’s a weakness that plays into a 49ers’ strength.
7. 49ers (4-4)
Ranks: 18th in scoring offense (22.0), fifth in scoring defense (18.4)
Outlook: After the trade for Christian McCaffrey and an eighth straight regular-season win over the Rams, all is right with the world. The 49ers also appear to be getting more healthy.
Quarterback: Jimmy Garoppolo is coming off his best game of the season against the Rams and presumably will have both McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel at his disposal in the near future.
Concerns: Injuries are always lurking where the 49ers are concerned. McCaffrey has a history of injury as does Elijah Mitchell, who is coming back from an MCL strain. The 49ers’ strength is running the ball.
8. Washington Commanders (4-4)
Ranks: 17th in scoring offense (17.8), 15th in scoring defense (21.5).
Outlook: Don’t look now, but this mess of a Daniel Snyder franchise is one spot shy of playoff position but has three NFC East teams ahead of them. The offense is shaky, but defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne and edge rusher Montez Sweat can get after the quarterback.
Quarterback: Taylor Heineke has taken over for the injured and much-maligned Carson Wentz and is 2-0. It remains to be seen if Wentz, with a fractured finger on his throwing hand, will get his job back.
Concerns: The Commanders have no discernible offensive strength outside of wide receiver Terry McLauren.
The 49ers’ matchup: The 49ers have had issues on third down offensively. Washington is giving up just 31.5 percent conversions defensively on third down.
9. Los Angeles Rams (3-4)
Ranks: 28th in scoring offense (16.9), 18th in scoring defense (22.4)
Outlook: Third in the NFC West, the Rams haven’t looked the part of a Super Bowl champion in a single game this season and scored 34 points total in decisive losses against Buffalo, Dallas and the 49ers. Any team with Aaron Donald and Bobby Wagner on defense can have its moments.
Quarterback: Matthew Stafford has his moments but his supporting cast isn’t performing nearly at the level it did a year ago.
Concerns: The Rams have Cooper Kupp and little else in terms of consistency on offense.
The 49ers matchup: Last year’s NFC title game aside (and the 49ers had a 10-point fourth-quarter lead), it’s clear the Rams want no part of San Francisco.
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-5)
Ranks: 25th in scoring offense (18.3), sixth in scoring defense (18.9)
Outlook: Still a threat in the NFC South, in second place in a division where no team is above .500. The Buccaneers defensively remain strong but haven’t produced enough offensive and have lost five of six.
Quarterback: Tom Brady at age 45 still avoids interceptions – he has only one in 340 attempts. But his targets have been less than reliable in terms of both route running and drop too many passes.
Concerns: Leonard Fournette is averaging just 3.4 yards per carry and it’s a big ask for Brady to be carrying this offense with his right arm.
The 49ers’ matchup: We’ll find out on Dec. 11 when the Buccaneers visit Levi’s Stadium in Week 14.
11. Green Bay Packers (3-5)
Ranks: 26th in scoring offense (18.1), 16th in scoring defense (21.6)
Outlook: The Packers are in second in the NFC North and could still win the division if the Vikings fall back to earth. Giving up 316.0 yards per game would indicate a playoff defense which means it’s on the shoulders of the quarterback.
Quarterback: It’s been a scorched teammate campaign for Aaron Rodgers, who can’t seem to get in sync with receivers now that Davante Adams is gone. Don’t put it past Rodgers to have better second half and get the Packers in postseason position.
Concerns: Aside from receivers, the Packers’ offensive line has been “consistently inconsistent” in the words of offensive coordinator Aaron Stenavich.
The 49ers’ matchup: No one ever really wants to have to face Aaron Rodgers – except maybe the 49ers based on some of his recent games against them.
12. Arizona Cardinals (3-5)
Ranks: 15th in scoring offense (22.8), 30th in scoring defense (26.3)
Outlook: Currently in last place in the NFC West, the Cardinals basically have fallen and haven’t gotten back up after beginning last season with seven straight wins. We’ll know if they’re contenders or pretenders after facing division foes Seattle, the Rams and 49ers in their next three games.
Quarterback: Kyler Murray continues to do Kyler Murray things, looking like a game-changing playmaker one minute and a gimmick quarterback the next. Murray should be better now that DeAndre Hopkins is back with 22 receptions in two games following a six-game suspension.
Concerns: Murray remains the Arizona top running threat – never a healthy proposition. The best defensive player is 33-year-old end J.J. Watt. That’s not ideal either.
The 49ers’ matchup: The 49ers have laid some of their biggest eggs against Arizona, and hope to avoid that with a Nov. 21 date in Mexico City and a Week 18 game at Levi’s.
13. New Orleans Saints (3-5)
Ranks: Eighth in scoring offense (24.9), 28th in scoring defense (25.0)
Outlook: Hard to know what to think after posting a shutout of the Raiders despite missing key players. The defense had been a sieve before then. Alvin Kamara and Taysom Hill are two of the more versatile backfield weapons in the league.
Quarterback: Andy Dalton has nine touchdown passes and four interceptions in five starts subbing for the injured Jameis Winston and it’s unclear if he’ll keep the job when Winston is healthy.
Concerns: Even with their favorable ranking in scoring offense, the Saints first lost Drew Brees to retirement then Sean Payton because he had a pretty good idea what was coming.
The 49ers’ matchup: We’ll see who’s at quarterback by the time New Orleans pays a visit to Levi’s Stadium in Week 12.
14. Chicago Bears (3-5)
Ranks: 23rd in scoring offense (19.4), 19th in scoring defense (22.6)
Outlook: Defense appeared overmatched in a 49-29 loss to Dallas and it was a bad look when the Bears dealt Roquan Smith, their best defensive player, to the Baltimore Ravens. It sure looked like a white flag.
Quarterback: The Bears of late have tweaked their offensive system to better suit the passing/running skills of Justin Fields. Fields cannot carry a game with his arm, with just seven TD passes in eight games. His 424 yards rushing keep defensive coordinators up nights, however.
Concerns: Simply not enough of a passing offense to be a playoff team in the modern NFL.
The 49ers’ matchup: The 49ers would love another shot at the Bears given their 19-10 loss in Week 1 with Lance at quarterback and a second-half monsoon.
Originally published at Jerry McDonald