Big turnaround sends 49ers to NFC playoffs

For the first time since 1997, the San Francisco 49ers are the top seed in the NFC playoffs, a stunning turnaround for a team that owned the second overall pick in the NFL draft just nine months ago.

After four straight losing campaigns, including only 10 wins in coach Kyle Shanahan’s first two seasons, the 49ers went from 4-12 to 13-3 this season.

They emerged as the top team in the NFC thanks a big-play offense and a vastly improved defense sparked by Nick Bosa, whom they chose with that No. 2 draft pick.

They earned the top seed with a thrilling finale at Seattle when rookie linebacker Dre Greenlaw made a stop inches from the goal line, earning his team a week off and up to two home games in the 49ers’ quest to reach the Super Bowl for the first time in seven years.

“It feels good to get where we’re at,” Shanahan said. “Our goal was to get in the playoffs, it feels much better with being the one seed. By now everyone knows there is only one team that is happy at the end of year.”

The Green Bay Packers secured the other firstround bye.

The Seahawks visit the Philadelphia Eagles on

Sunday and the Minnesota Vikings visit the New Orleans Saints in the other NFC wild-card game.

San Francisco 49ers (13-3). AP Pro32 Ranking: No. 3. Last Lombardi: Super Bowl 29, 49-26 over San Diego Chargers on Jan. 29, 1995. Last year: 4-12. First trip to NFC playoffs since 2013.

The 49ers have won different ways with the defense dominating early and the offense playing better late. The returns of edge rusher Dee Ford and S Jaquiski Tartt should help the defense return to its early season form. If QB Jimmy Garoppolo and the offense can maintain its play from the second half when the team ranked second in plays of at least 20 yards, the Niners should be tough to beat.