Schedule favors 49ers for No. 2 seed

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The 49ers enter the day with a one-game lead in the loss column in the NFC for a first-round playoff bye. And that's the way they'll end the day, too.The 49ers (9-2) are two games behind the Green Bay Packers (11-0) for home-field advantage. The top two teams in both conferences earn first-round byes and a guaranteed home playoff game.The 49ers enter their final five games in good position to nail down the second seed in the NFC.The 49ers have the edge over the New Orleans Saints (7-3). The Saints play the New York Giants (6-4) on Monday night. The Dallas Cowboys are two games back, but the Cowboys hold a tie-breaker over the 49ers based on their Week 2 head-to-head victory.The 49ers currently are in the No. 2 position after negotiating the most difficult schedule among the other serious contenders for that spot. And the 49ers' remaining schedule is far easier than the Saints and Cowboys.
49ers (9-2)
Strength of schedule (games played): .496 (56-57)
Remaining SOS: .360 (18-32)
Remaining games: vs. St. Louis, at Arizona, vs. Pittsburgh, at Seattle, at St. LouisSaints (7-3)
Strength of schedule (games played): .455 (46-55)
Remaining SOS: .459 (28-33)
Remaining games: vs. N.Y. Giants, vs. Detroit, at Tennessee, at Minnesota, vs. Atlanta, vs. CarolinaCowboys (7-4)
Strength of schedule (games played): .460 (52-61)
Remaining SOS: .460 (23-27)
Remaining games: at Arizona, vs. N.Y. Giants, at Tampa Bay, vs. Philadelphia, at N.Y. GiantsHere is a look at the complete NFC playoff picture (updated following morning games):Division leaders
1. Green Bay (North) 11-0. (NFC record: 9-0)
2. 49ers (West) 9-2. (NFC record: 7-1)
3. New Orleans (South) 7-3. (NFC record: 4-3)
4. Dallas (East) 7-4. (NFC record: 5-2)Wild card
5. Chicago (North) 7-3. (NFC record: 6-3)
6. Detroit (North) 7-4. (NFC record: 5-4)Next in line
7. Atlanta (South) 7-4. (NFC record: 5-4)
8. N.Y. Giants (East) 6-4. (NFC record: 3-4)
9. Seattle (West) 4-6. (NFC record: 3-3)
10. Philadelphia (East) 4-6. (NFC record: 4-5)
11. Arizona (West) 4-7. (NFC record: 4-5)
12. Tampa Bay (South) 4-7. (NFC record: 3-6)
13. Washington (East) 3-7. (NFC record: 3-5)
14. Carolina (South) 3-8. (NFC record: 1-7)
15. Minnesota (North) 2-9. (NFC record: 2-6)
16. St. Louis (West) 2-9. (NFC record: 1-8)

Tie-breakers
Head-to-head, if applicable.
Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the conference.
Best won-lost-tied percentage in common games, minimum of four.
Strength of victory.
Strength of schedule.

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