Tag: 2024 NFL Playoffs

A look at Bengals’ easiest path to playoffs

Here’s how the Bengals can still reach the playoffs.

The Cincinnati Bengals aren’t done yet. Cincinnati has very slim playoff odds — ESPN’s Football Power Index gives them just a 5.1% chance — but they’re still above zero.

But how exactly can the Bengals make the playoffs? The easiest scenario was laid out by NFL Playoff Scenarios. That scenario is as follows:

1. The Bengals must win out. This one seems pretty obvious. The Bengals have to get to 9-8. Not only are two of the Wild Cards already at nine wins, the third (Chargers) is at 8-6 and has the head-to-head tiebreaker on the Bengals, so Cincinnati has to get ahead of Los Angeles. We’ll dive more into that shortly.

2. The loser of Thursday’s Broncos-Chargers game has to then lose their last two games. As mentioned before, the Bengals have to get above the Chargers because of the Week 11 loss. So if the Chargers lose Thursday, they then would have to lose their last two games. Unfortunately for the Bengals, L.A.’s last two games are against the 3-11 New England Patriots and the 2-12 Las Vegas Raiders. Probably not happening.

The Broncos, however, are a different story and much more realistic. If Denver loses Thursday, the Bengals would need the Broncos to then also lose their last two games. The first of those two games just so happens to be against the Bengals, meaning the Bengals can play themselves into a playoff-clinching scenario in Week 18 against the Steelers by taking care of business against their biggest obstacle.

The Broncos then finish the season against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Bengals would have to hope the Chiefs are still needing to play for the No. 1 seed, otherwise they may rest starters and that would be bad news for the Bengals. But if the Bengals catch the Broncos at nine wins, they would beat out Denver for the final spot…if one more scenario also plays out.

3. The Colts and Dolphins each have to lose one of their final three games. If the Bengals and Broncos are tied at 9-8 or if the Bengals are the only 9-8 team among the teams we’ve listed, they make the playoffs. We’ve already touched on the Chargers and why the Bengals would need them to finish 8-9 to beat them. So why are the Colts and Dolphins relevant here?

The reason is that the Bengals lose tiebreakers to both the Colts and the Dolphins. The Bengals are 3-6 in conference games, an inferior record to both the Colts and Dolphins, both 5-5. The Bengals didn’t play either team, so it next goes to conference record. If either or both teams also get to 9-8, they’d be 7-5 in conference while the Bengals would be 6-6. That knocks the Bengals out.

So, for example, if the Bengals, Broncos and Colts all get to 9-8, the Bengals would be out due to their inferior conference record. Same if we swap the Colts for the Dolphins. So this is why the Bengals need those two to lose once to get them out of the way.

The Colts finish the season against the Titans at home, Giants on the road and the Jaguars at home. Miami has the the 49ers home, then they visit the Browns and Jets.

Just for fun, since the odds are severely against it, if all the Wild Card contenders finish 9-8, it would be the Colts, Dolphins and Ravens getting in while the Chargers, Bengals and Broncos would be left out.

Division tiebreaks eliminate the Bengals (swept by the Ravens) and the Broncos (swept by Chargers in this scenario). Then, between the Colts, Dolphins, Ravens and Chargers, the Ravens and Chargers drop out on conference record (IND 7-5, MIA 7-5, BAL 5-7, LAC 6-6). The Colts beat the Dolphins head-to-head which would give them the No. 5 seed.

Repeat the process to fill in the rest of the spots. Miami would win the three-way tie over the Ravens and Chargers on conference record for the No. 6 seed and then the Ravens would get the No. 7 seed via their Week 12 win over the Chargers (division tiebreaks eliminate the Bengals and Broncos in both cases).

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The Lions are the first NFC team to clinch postseason berth

The Lions are the first NFC team to clinch postseason berth with their win over Green Bay in Week 14

The Detroit Lions will be in the postseason following the 2024 regular season. Detroit ensured that with an exciting 34-31 win over the visiting Green Bay Packers on Thursday Night Football in Week 14.

Now 12-1 after winning their 11th game in a row, the Lions are the first team in the NFC to clinch a postseason berth this season. That’s the first time in the Super Bowl era the Lions have been the first team to clinch, and the Week 14 timeframe is the earliest Detroit has clinched a playoff spot.

Detroit will end Week 14 as the No. 1 seed in the NFC. The Philadelphia Eagles and Minnesota Vikings are both right behind at 10-2, but the Lions control their own destiny for the top seed and the first-round bye.

Breaking down the NFC playoff picture entering Week 14 and what lies ahead

Breaking down the NFC playoff picture entering Week 14 and what lies ahead for the Lions and the other teams competing for postseason slots

The Detroit Lions enter Week 14 in unprecedented territory. The 11-1 Lions, winners of 10 games in a row, are the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoff ladder if the season ended today.

Alas, there are still five more weeks of games. The Lions technically haven’t even clinched a postseason berth yet, though that could happen this week — even if the Lions lose to the Packers on Thursday night.

Here’s how the Lions and their foes in both the NFC North and the overall NFC stand in the playoff stretch run entering Week 14.

Detroit Lions

Record: 11-1

Remaining schedule

Packers (9-3)
Bills (10-2)
at Bears (4-8)
at 49ers (5-7)
Vikings (10-2)

Minnesota Vikings

Record: 10-2

Remaining schedule

Falcons (6-6)
Bears (4-8)
at Seahawks (7-5)
Packers (9-3)
at Lions (11-1)

Green Bay Packers

Record: 9-3

Remaining schedule

at Lions (11-1)
at Seahawks (7-5)
Saints (4-8)
at Vikings (10-2)
Bears (4-8)

The NFC North is still very much up for grabs, though the Lions have a golden opportunity to help seal the deal with a win over Green Bay in Ford Field on Thursday night. That would put the Lions at 4-0 in the division. Green Bay and Minnesota playing one another in Week 17 guarantees a loss to one of the two teams chasing Detroit for the NFC North title.

The Seattle Seahawks will play a big role in the NFC North outcome. Seattle is in first place in the tightly-packed NFC West, where all four teams currently have between five and seven wins. Green Bay and Minnesota head to Seattle in back-to-back weeks starting in Week 15. The Seahawks have won three games in a row, though they are just 3-4 at home for the season.

NFC overall

While it’s still technically possible for the division winner in the NFC West to catch the Lions in the seeding race, it would take Seattle (7-5) winning out and the Lions losing out because Detroit owns a head-to-head victory from Week 4. The Rams and Cardinals (each 6-6) cannot pass the Lions in the NFC standings due to Detroit beating each, even if the Lions lose out and finish 11-6.

The NFC South currently features Tampa Bay and Atlanta tied at 6-6. Because the Buccaneers beat the Lions in Week 2, Tampa Bay winning out and Detroit losing out would result in the Bucs jumping the Lions in the NFC ladder. The Falcons winning out and the Lions losing their final five games would also lift Atlanta over Detroit on the conference record tiebreak.

The NFC East is still a big threat to the Lions, however…

Philadelphia Eagles

Record: 10-2

Remaining schedule

Panthers (3-9)
Steelers (9-3)
at Commanders (8-5)
Cowboys (5-7)
Giants (2-10)

Washington Commanders

Record: 8-5

Remaining schedule

Bye
at Saints
Eagles
Falcons
at Cowboys

The Eagles have won eight games in a row after a 2-2 start. Both of their losses are in the NFC, and that’s important if the Lions and Eagles wind up in a tie; conference record is the first tiebreaker in that scenario.

That Week 16 game in Washington between the Commanders and Eagles is a big one for both the NFC East (the Eagles would clinch with a win) and also the entire NFC playoff picture. Philadelphia won the first meeting, 26-18.

Updated Vikings playoff and division odds following Week 11

ESPN has released its updated playoff predictors, and the Vikings are starting to feel comfortable about the playoffs. 

The Minnesota Vikings sit on the season with an 8-2 record through 11 weeks of the season. The team is playing like one of the best in the NFL, not just the NFC, but what are their chances for the playoffs and winning the division?

ESPN has released its updated playoff predictors, and the Vikings are starting to feel comfortable about the playoffs.

ESPN currently has the Vikings’ playoff chances at 95% to make them. Barring a collapse of epic proportions; they are set for the playoffs. However, their odds of winning the division sit at just 10% so that is a bit of an uphill climb for Minnesota.

Some other interesting odds that they included were for the team to earn a Bye Week (7%) and to make the Super Bowl (11%). Both are pretty far-fetched for the team, but they are fun to monitor. With so many division games down the stretch for this team, starting this weekend with the Bears, things are likely to change.

NFC playoff picture after Week 9 Sunday games: Everyone looking up at the Lions

NFC playoff picture after Week 9 Sunday games: Everyone looking up at the Lions

With one game left in Week 9, the NFL regular season is just about halfway in the books. As it stands coming out of Week 9, the road to Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans runs through Ford Field.

The 7-1 Detroit Lions remain with the best record in the NFC following their 24-14 victory over the Green Bay Packers. They come out of Week 9 with a one-game lead over the Minnesota Vikings, who defeated the Indianapolis Colts to move to 6-2. The Lions own a head-to-head victory over the Vikings. The second meeting comes in Week 18.

Green Bay sits in third place in the division at 6-3, a testament to how strong the division still is. All four teams are at least .500. The Chicago Bears fell to 4-4 following their 29-9 loss to the Arizona Cardinals Sunday.

Current NFC North standings

1. Detroit Lions 7-1
2. Minnesota Vikings 6-2
3. Green Bay Packers 6-3
4. Chicago Bears 4-4

Looking at the full playoff picture, the Lions hold the No. 1 seed by a half-game over the 7-2 Washington Commanders, arguably the biggest surprise of the first half of the season thanks to Rookie of the Year frontrunner Jayden Daniels.

In total, six teams have at least six wins through nine weeks. In addition to the three NFC North teams and the Commanders, the Atlanta Falcons (6-3) and Philadelphia Eagles (6-2) also have six wins. The Cardinals are the only other team with at least five wins, though the Tampa Bay Buccaneers can join them Monday if they pull off the upset of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Current NFC playoff standings

1. Detroit Lions 7-1
2. Washington Commanders 7-2
3. Atlanta Falcons 6-3
4. Arizona Cardinals 5-4
5. Minnesota Vikings 6-2
6. Philadelphia Eagles 6-2
7. Green Bay Packers 6-3

8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 4-4
9. Chicago Bears 4-4
10. Los Angeles Rams 4-4
11. San Francisco 49ers 4-4
12. Seattle Seahawks 4-5
13. Dallas Cowboys 3-5
14. Carolina Panthers 2-7
15. New Orleans Saints 2-7
16. New York Giants 2-7

Bleacher Report leaves Vikings out of 2024 playoff predictions

The NFC North is one of the toughest divisions in football. However, three of the four teams in it are expected to make the playoffs.

The NFC North is expected to be one of the toughest divisions in football in 2024. However, three of the four teams in it are expected to make the playoffs.

The one being left out? The Minnesota Vikings. Bleacher Report posted their playoff predictions on Friday and, for the most part, didn’t leave much to being egregiously wrong.

Now, before we throw our arms up and ask, “Why?” It is important to remember the landscape in which the team is making its way through in 2024. The entire division made improvements, including two with moves at the quarterback position, making this division full of what can be seen as complete teams.

For the Vikings, 2024 is going to be a learning year for many of their younger talent, but especially for quarterback J.J. McCarthy. We aren’t sure when or if we will see him this upcoming season, which leads to more concerns if Sam Darnold is to remain under center for an extended time.

The Lions and Packers making the playoffs makes sense. The Bears have a leg up on the Vikings for now, but if Caleb Williams struggles, that could give them a window of opportunity to break through.

A mic’d-up Jared Goff showed lots of class by praising Brock Purdy after heartbreaking Lions loss

A classy guy, that Jared Goff.

Even though the Detroit Lions suffered a heartbreaking loss in the NFC championship game, quarterback Jared Goff showed plenty of class while meeting San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy after the game.

Mics caught Goff encouraging Purdy on the field after the Lions’ loss, with Purdy visibly appreciative of Goff’s praise amid such a tough moment for the former first-overall pick.

Purdy’s rise from last pick in the 2022 NFL Draft to Super Bowl-starting quarterback has been quite impressive, and it looks like he’s got a fan in Goff. What a cool moment this is between two competitors after such a tight competition.

It’s great that NFL games can always end in pleasantries like this, as these two have both had inspiring stories to get to this past Sunday’s NFC title game.

We’re thinking these two might play each other in the playoffs again as the 49ers and Lions remain two of the conference’s best teams.

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4 things the Minnesota Vikings can learn from the NFC Championship game

Four things the Minnesota Vikings can learn from the 2024 NFC Championship game.

The San Francisco 49ers went against all odds and completed their comeback against the Detroit Lions to punch their ticket to Super Bowl LVII.

San Francisco rattled off 27 unanswered points in the second half after being down 24-7 at the halftime break. With how  Detroit played, it looked like everything had to line up perfectly for San Francisco to get to Las Vegas to avenge their Super Bowl LIV loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

It did. 

Back in the NFC North, the Minnesota Vikings are approaching one of the more crucial points in team history. General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has a unique chance to map out the short-term and long-term direction of the Vikings with their decisions this off-season.

These decisions also come with tough questions: Is the roster ready to compete now? If they are, how do they maximize the current window to compete? If they aren’t, how do they build towards competing sooner rather than later?

There is no right or wrong answer, but there are different ways to go about building this roster, and there are some real lessons that can come from watching a thriller like the Lions had against the 49ers.

Studs & Duds for the Lions playoff loss to the 49ers

Here are the Detroit Lions Studs and Duds as they fall one game short with the their loss to the San Francisco 49ers

The Detroit Lions’ remarkable season concludes on a heartbreaking note as they surrender a 17-point lead in a 34-31 defeat to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game.

In the first half, the Lions asserted control with a commanding 24-7 lead, showcasing an unstoppable offense and a defense that made crucial stops at opportune moments. However, the narrative took a sharp turn in the second half, as everything that could go wrong for the Lions seemingly did, creating a deficit they couldn’t overcome by the game’s end.

While the Lions’ season exceeded expectations, their inexperience and missed opportunities became evident in this critical game, leaving them just one step shy of a Super Bowl berth.

As we bid farewell to the season, let’s reflect on the Studs and Duds in the Lions’ loss to the 49ers in the NFC Championship.

Mics captured Taylor Swift and Tony Romo having an awkward conversation after a hug

Why did Taylor lie to this man like this?

Taylor Swift is such a kind soul that she doesn’t have the heart to tell Tony Romo that his commentary is making everyone cringe.

The Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens AFC Championship game lived up to the hype before the Ravens unraveled, of course. Like most fans suspected, Taylor Swift was in attendance to watch Travis Kelce and his boys win another trip to the Super Bowl, their fourth in five years.

All was going well as cameras filmed the Chiefs’ postgame trophy celebration ceremony, capturing some pretty dope moments between Travis and Taylor, Andy Reid and one shirt-wearing (this time!) Jason Kelce. But nothing could have prepared us for this totally awkward exchange between Taylor and Tony Romo.

Truthfully, we admire her ability to be kind to everyone, but, Taylor, — GIRL! — you don’t have to lie like this.