Playoff picture: 49ers clinging to final NFC spot after Week 8 loss

The San Francisco 49ers have slipped from the top of the NFC West standings following Sunday's 26-15 loss to the Houston Texans, dropping their record to 5-3. While the rest of the division enjoyed a bye week, both the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams benefited from San Francisco's stumble.

Entering Week 8, the 49ers, Seahawks, and Rams each held matching records. San Francisco previously owned the tiebreaker, having defeated both teams earlier in the season. However, Sunday's loss dropped the 49ers' winning percentage to .625, putting them behind Los Angeles and Seattle, both at .714.

Current NFC West standings (after Week 8):

1. Seattle Seahawks (5-2)
2. Los Angeles Rams (5-2)
3. San Francisco 49ers (5-3)
4. Arizona Cardinals (2-5)

The 49ers will have a chance to regain ground in the division when they host the Rams at Levi's Stadium in two weeks—provided they handle business against the New York Giants this coming weekend.

San Francisco doesn't meet Seattle again until the regular-season finale, a matchup that could carry significant playoff implications.

If the NFL season ended today, the 49ers would hold the seventh and final NFC playoff seed, setting up a potential Wild Card showdown against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field.

NFC playoff picture (after Week 8)

1. Green Bay Packers (5-1-1)*
2. Philadelphia Eagles (6-2)*
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-2)*
4. Seattle Seahawks (5-2)*
5. Detroit Lions (5-2)
6. Los Angeles Rams (5-2)
7. San Francisco 49ers (5-3)

* Denotes division leader