NFC playoff picture: How the 49ers compare

SANTA CLARA — Three games remain between the 49ers and a likely playoff return. They remain in the NFC'S No. 6 playoff spot, though they're not locked into a wild-card berth just yet.

Nor is the division clinched by either the Los Angeles Rams (94) or Arizona Cardinals (10-4).

Sunday's over the Atlanta Falcons pushed the 49ers to an 8-6 record, so the NFC West is likely out of reach.

In other divisions, the Green Bay Packers (11-3) clinched the NFC North, while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-4) and the Dallas Cowboys (10-4) are closing in on NFC South and East titles, respectively.

So where do things stand with the 49ers and their competitors for wild-card spots? Here are some tiebreaker factors if it's down to two teams (more convoluted scenarios exist but this is as streamlined as it looks):

Cardinals (10-4) — current

No. 4 seed

Remaining schedule: vs. Colts (Saturday); at Cowboys (Jan. 2); vs. Seahawks (Jan. 9)

Head-to-head wins: 49ers (two), Vikings; Seahawks (Jan. 9 rematch awaits); split with Rams

Conference record: 6-4 Strength of victory: .452 Strength of schedule: 466

Rams (9-4) — No. 5 Remaining schedule: vs. Seahawks (Tuesday); at Vikings (Sunday); at Ravens (Jan. 2); vs. 49ers (Jan. 9)

Head-to-head wins: Seahawks (Tuesday rematch awaits); split with Cardinals

Conference record: 6-3

Strength of victory: .391 Strength of schedule: 481

49ERS (8-6) — No. 6 Remaining schedule: at Tennessee Titans (Thursday); vs. Houston Texans (Jan. 2); at Rams (Jan. 9; could flex to Jan. 8)

Head-to-head wins: Falcons, Eagles, Vikings, Rams (Jan. 9 rematch awaits)

Conference record: 6-5 (two NFC games left)

Common games: They'd lose this category to the Rams and the Cardinals; they'd either tie or lose to the Saints and Washington.

Strength of victory: .403 Strength of schedule: .487

Saints (7-7) — No. 7 Remaining schedule: vs. Dolphins (Dec. 27); vs. Panthers (Jan. 2); at Falcons (Jan. 9)

Head-to-head wins: Washington, Buccaneers (twice, if it comes down to NFC South title) Conference record: 5-5 Strength of victory: .563 Strength of schedule: .528

Washington (6-7) Remaining schedule: at Eagles (Tuesday); at Cowboys (Sunday); vs. Eagles (Jan. 2); at Giants (Jan. 9) Head-to-head wins: Seahawks Conference record: 5-3 Strength of victory: .439 Strength of schedule: .539

Eagles (6-7) Remaining schedule: vs. Washington (Monday); vs. Giants (Sunday); at Washington (Jan. 2); vs. Cowboys (Jan. 9)

Head-to-head wins: Saints, Falcons

Conference record: 4-4 Strength of victory: .363 Strength of schedule: .478

Vikings (6-7)

Remaining schedule: at Bears (tonight); vs. Rams (Sunday); at Packers (Jan. 2); vs. Bears (Jan. 9)

Head-to-head wins: Seahawks Conference record: 4-4 Strength of victory: .470 Strength of schedule: 514

Falcons (6-8) Remaining schedule: vs. Lions (Sunday); at Bills (Jan. 2); vs. Saints (Jan. 9) Head-to-head wins: Saints Conference record: 3-7 Strength of victory: .333 Strength of schedule: .474

Seahawks (5-8) Remaining schedule: at Rams (Tuesday); vs. Bears (Sunday); vs. Lions (Jan. 2); at Cardinals (Jan. 9)

Head-to-head wins: 49ers (two) Conference record: 2-6 Strength of victory: .414 Strength of schedule: .528\