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The 49ers head into the Edward Jones Dome on Sunday looking to get a big divisional road victory against the St. Louis Rams. The 49ers are 8-2-1 and closing in on their second straight division title, and a win over the Rams would be a big step in the right direction. Additionally, the 49ers continue to keep hold on to that No. 2 seed, which they maintain with a 1/2 game lead on the Chicago Bears and a game and a half lead on the New York Giants.
Here is how the NFC playoff picture currently stands heading into Week 13's Sunday matchups:
1. Atlanta Falcons: 11-1
2. San Francisco 49ers: 8-2-1
3. Green Bay Packers: 7-4
4. New York Giants: 7-4
5. Chicago Bears: 8-3
6. Seattle Seahawks: 6-5
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6-5
8. Minnesota Vikings 6-5
9. Washington Redskins 5-6
10. Dallas Cowboys 5-6
The Falcons already took care of their business, holding off the New Orleans Saints on Thursday Night Football. Here is the rest of the NFC schedule for Week 13:
Seahawks (6-4) @ Bears (8-3)
Vikings (6-5) @ Packers (7-4)
Buccaneers (6-5) @ Broncos
Eagles (3-8) @ Cowboys (5-6)
Giants (7-4) @ Redskins (5-6)
Aside from the basics of a 49ers win over the Rams, the rooting interests can get a little complicated. I know plenty of people can't stomach rooting for the Seahawks, but in my mind I'll take a Seahawks win over the Bears any day. If the 49ers keep winning their games, it really won't matter how much Seattle wins. The same applies to the Bears, but it would still be nice to get a little more breathing room in front of them.
Although the Vikings did beat the 49ers earlier this year, I'm still rooting for them over the Packers. I suppose there is not a ton to be gained either way in this game, but it's always fun to root against the Packers. On the other hand, I will be rooting for the Bucs to beat the Broncos. I find myself intrigued by the 2012 Bucs, as they are quietly hanging around the playoff picture. I suppose I should probably prefer they lose because I think if they make the playoffs, they are a very dangerous team.
It's always fun to root against the Cowboys, even if the Eagles are incredibly unlikely to win this one. I'm also rooting for the Redskins to beat the Giants on Monday Night Football. I can always get behind a Giants loss, and even more so because Robert Griffin III is so much fun to watch.