After all the injuries and fill-ins, the 49ers are 12-4 and facing their toughest test of the season vs. the Seahawks.

The Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers face off in a high-stakes game on Saturday night. The winner secures the top seed in the NFC playoffs, earning a first-round bye and home-field advantage.

The 49ers Sacramento Faithfuls fan club is hosting a watch party at Stoney’s Rockin Rodeo. Tom’s Watch Bar at the Downtown Commons is another option for Sacramento football fans. Location: 414 K Street, Suite 180, Sacramento, CA 95814

One area where the 49ers have been able to make up ground is by playing sound football . The 49ers rank 32nd in the NFL in expected points added allowed by their defense. Their defense has under 14 expected points allowed due to penalties, while the highest defense is up over 51.

Week 18 battle-tested as John Lynch details why tough late-season matchups prepare San Francisco for a playoff run and a shot at the NFC's top seed.

If the 49ers had made a push for Phillips or some other edge rusher in November, they might have lost a third-round pick in April. Meh. That seems like a tiny price to have a modicum of an edge pass rush in a postseason in which any team can realistically win the Super Bowl.

Teams that have started Sam Darnold have gone 27-6 in the past two seasons. However, the Minnesota Vikings saw Darnold start to fade before his worst two games closed out the season and the San Francisco 49ers are hoping to get the same outcome in Week 18 this year.

The 49ers gave up 38 points Sunday night and still won a wildly entertaining and crucial game against the Chicago Bears. Purdy accounted for five touchdowns, including a 38-yard score to Jauan Jennings with 2:15 remaining to give the 49ers the lead.

Jauan Jennings is closing in on a rare franchise milestone as the 49ers prepare for a pivotal Week 18 matchup.