The 49ers squandered a 21-point lead to the Vikings, their backs against the wall in the fight for a playoff berth, but rallied behind quarterback Steve Young and Rice to post their sixth successive victory and clinch a first-round playoff bye Monday.
Rice pushed his NFL record to 155 career touchdown and became the first player ever to post three 100-catch years.
Overshadowed by Rice's performance was Steve Young, who was 30-of-49 for 426 yards and three touchdowns. Young also rushed for a touchdown.
Minnesota's defeat gave the Detroit Lions a playoff berth. It also put the 49ers in control of their own destiny. A win against Atlanta in the final week will give San Francisco home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
There is now only one wild-card berth left open in the NFC, with Chicago having the inside track for it. The Bears (8-7) need to win at home against Philadelphia (10-5), a formidable opponent, but need the least outside help -- only a 49er defeat of Atlanta -- to clinch.
Minnesota has an easier game against Cincinnati (6-9), but in order to advance needs both Chicago and Atlanta to lose.
Atlanta (8-7) and St. Louis (7-8) are both mathematically alive as well, but each would need a win while the rest of the contenders all lost.
Also undecided are divisional titles in the NFC East and Central, with Dallas (11-4) and Green Bay (10-5) having one game leads in their respective divisions. The Cowboys will earn a first-round bye with a win over Arizona (4-11) in their final game.
In the AFC, the division crowns are all decided, but none of the wild-card berths are.
Kansas City (12-3) can clinch home field through the playoffs with a home win over Seattle (8-7). Both Kansas City and Pittsburgh (11-4) will get first-round byes, while Buffalo (10-5) will host a first-round game.
Denver (7-8) and five teams tied with 8-7 records are scuffling for the three wild cards. Indianapolis, which hosts New England (6-9), and San Diego, which plays the Giants (5-10) in New York, can claim two of the open berths with wins.Seattle, Oakland and Miami round out the field. (Reuters, AP, MT)
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