NFC Playoff Picture: Why No. 2 Seed Is an Absolute Must for San Francisco 49ers

With a record of 12-3 and an NFC West title under their belts, the San Francisco 49ers have far exceeded anyone's wildest expectations for them this season. With that said, though, the playoff celebration could be short-lived if they don't secure the No. 2 seed.

The Niners take on the lowly St. Louis Rams in Week 17 in a game that may be as important as any one they have played this season. Should San Francisco beat the Rams, as it should, the 49ers will secure the second seed in the NFC and receive a first-round bye.

If the 49ers find a way to lose, however, the New Orleans Saints can nab the No. 2 seed with a victory over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. This would be disastrous for the Niners for several reasons, the first being missing out on the opportunity to mend injuries.

Provided San Francisco can't clinch the No. 2 spot, it will have to play during Wild Card weekend, meaning there will be no extra rest time. That is particularly troubling, since the team's best defensive player in linebacker Patrick Willis is nursing a hamstring injury that has kept him out the past couple of games.

There is no telling how long it will take for Willis to properly heal, but having to play in the first round may force Willis onto the field at partial strength. On top of that major injury, several other players have bumps and bruises, including running back Frank Gore, who can always use a little extra rest.

On top of that, the Niners wouldn't exactly have a cupcake matchup to start the playoffs if they end up in the No. 3 slot. The Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons have clinched wild-card berths, so the 49ers would have to host one of those teams.

While San Francisco would receive home-field advantage in the first round, both the Lions and Falcons possess explosive offenses that could pose major problems for the Niners. Even if San Francisco is able to escape that game, however, things wouldn't get any easier.

The next round would see the 49ers traveling to New Orleans to take on the Saints. Facing the Saints and quarterback Drew Brees anywhere right now is a tall task, but facing them on the road in what is sure to be a raucous Superdome would almost seem like an impossibly tall task.

Weather wouldn't be a factor in San Francisco most likely, but Brees simply plays better indoors. That is particularly true in New Orleans, where he has shredded opposing defenses time and again en route to breaking Dan Marino's single-season record for passing yardage.

Due to the atmosphere and the slower track, I would simply give the Niners a much better chance of upending the Saints at Candlestick Park. Perhaps the only thing that can slow the Saints' offense down at this point is a power outage, and we all know that's a distinct possibility in San Francisco.

On a more serious note, though, securing the No. 2 seed would make things so much easier for the 49ers. Not only would they get a week of rest, but they would be guaranteed home-field advantage until at least the NFC championship game, where they might have to contend with the Green Bay Packers.

The Packers and Saints are currently the favorites in the NFC, but if the Niners can grab that No. 2 spot, then I certainly think they're a team to be reckoned with. If not, though, running the gauntlet will be much more difficult.