The San Francisco 49ers are playing out the string following the end of their playoff aspirations, but they can still have a decisive say in the NFC West race.

Following their victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday, the Los Angeles Rams are on the brink of winning the division, which was claimed by the Niners in each of the previous two seasons.

And the 49ers can do the Rams a favor in helping them secure the division.

The Rams are all but certain to win the West and will do so in Week 17 courtesy of a strength of schedule tiebreaker over the Seattle Seahawks if three of the following five teams prevail: Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, Minnesota Vikings, Washington Commanders, and the 49ers.

San Francisco faces the Detroit Lions in primetime on Monday and, though there is a scenario in which the Rams do not need help from the Niners, there is also the distinct possibility the 49ers’ NFC Championship Game rematch with Detroit is the game that determines whether Los Angeles wins the West in Week 17.

Of course, the 49ers will have no interest in whether their game helps a division rival. They are playing to salvage pride from a hugely disappointing year. However, the possibility of the matchup settling an NFC playoff spot adds some intrigue to a game otherwise lacking it with the Niners out of contention.