NFL Power Rankings: 49ers snatch top seed, Patriots lose footing entering playoffs

2. San Francisco 49ers (2)

After letting the game slip away during the first meeting against the Seattle Seahawks, the San Francisco 49ers seemed more determined than ever to make sure the results would be different in Week 17 with playoff implications on the line.

Fort most of the season, the 49ers were considered the team to beat within the NFC since Jimmy Garoppolo was finally healthy and playing on an extremely high level while the defense worked its way into becoming a top unit in the league.

Going on the road to pull off a win in this meaningful of a game is never easy for any team, but this shows just how special of a group San Francisco has this season, and seems ready to make a run at the Super Bowl.

With an extra week of rest, the 49ers should feel confident about their Divisional Round opponent, even if they don’t happen to know which team it may be at this point.

Having the playoffs run through San Francisco should give Garoppolo and company a major advantage if the regular season is any indication of what to expect, as this season has to be feeling all sorts of confidence after that Week 17 thriller.