49ers playoff scenarios: What’s at stake vs Seahawks in Week 15?

Breaking down the San Francisco 49ers playoff scenarios on the line in Week 15 as they face the Seahawks on Thursday Night Football. 

When the San Francisco 49ers lost wunderkind Trey Lance for the season due to injury, some fans were ready to throw in the towel on the 2022 season. Then Jimmy Garoppolo kept in and kept them humming. But when Jimmy G also suffered a season-ending injury, that had to be the end.

And yet, now the team enters Week 15 at 9-4 coming off a dominant win over Tom Brady and the Bucs led by 2022 Mr. Irrelevant Brock Purdy. So call it Kyle Shanahan magic, call it luck, or call it whatever — the 49ers aren’t going anywhere.

On the heels over the win against Tampa Bay, though, San Francisco is banged up as Purdy is listed as questionable, Deebo Samuel is out, Christian McCaffrey is less than 100% and the list goes on. Even worse, now they have a date with the rival Seattle Seahawks on a short week for Thursday Night Football in Week 15.

That game is hugely important for the 49ers playoff destiny, however.

49ers playoff scenarios for Week 15 vs Seahawks

Given the team’s perseverance through all of their debilitating injuries this season, the 49ers playoff scenarios for Week 15 in Seattle might seem crazy, but it’s the reality.

If San Francisco can go on the road and beat the Seahawks on Thursday night after the short week, they will clinch the NFC West and secure one of the top four seeds in the NFC for the 2022-23 NFL Playoffs. Talk about some big stakes.

Obviously, if the 49ers are already in this position as of Week 15, they will be fine for their playoff positioning if they lost in Seattle. But given all of their injuries right now, the team would love to lock up the division and the postseason berth in order to rest several key players and get them healthy for the playoffs.