The San Francisco 49ers saw their playoff chances diminish after back-to-back losses to the Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers.
While the 49ers are technically still in the playoff hunt, their season may be better defined by whether they can be a spoiler for other teams. That's what they're aiming for Sunday while trying to keep their own playoff hopes on life support.
Buffalo dominated a relatively weak AFC East entering Week 13 a simple clinch scenario. They needed the Miami Dolphins to lose to the Packers on Thanksgiving night. Green Bay took care of Buffalo's business in this game, defeating the Dolphins 30-17 at Lambeau Field.
Now the Bills can clinch the AFC East title and a playoff spot by defeating the 49ers at Highmark Stadium on Sunday night.
Even if it's far from certain that the Bills will ultimately finish the division, the 49ers should at least get some motivation from preventing it from happening against them. Not to mention, their own small playoff hopes are based on winning some games they probably wouldn't win on paper. That starts Sunday in Buffalo, where a win would improve the 49ers' postseason chances and delay the Bills' celebration for at least another week.
