Tag: NFC playoff picture

49ers win over Seahawks puts them in 1st place NFC West

The San Francisco 49ers are your new division leader.

What a difference a win makes!

The San Francisco 49ers were in an apparent spiral entering their game against the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night. They’d lost three straight, including two to division opponents where San Francisco held 10-point leads in the fourth quarter, and they sat at 14th out of 16 in the NFC standings.

A win was a necessity at Lumen Field, and the 49ers came through even with some bumps in the road.

While San Francisco needed a win for some stability early in this season, they also had an opportunity to leap into the playoff picture by overtaking the Seahawks in the NFC West.

The 49ers’ 36-24 victory over Seattle launched them into a tie with the Seahawks at 3-3 overall, but placed San Francisco at No. 1 in the division by virtue of the head-to-head tiebreaker they now hold over the Seahawks.

Here’s what the standings look like entering Sunday:

1. 49ers (3-3)
2. Seahawks (3-3)
3. Cardinals (2-3)
4. Rams (1-4)

It’s still too early to start schedule-watching, but the 49ers’ margin for error is slim enough that any ground they can make up in the race for a playoff berth is significant.

The Cardinals do play the Packers on Sunday in Green Bay. A win by them would push the 49ers down to second in the standings. A loss would ensure San Francisco holds the NFC West lead heading into Week 7.

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49ers Super Bowl hopes may ride on Week 6 vs. Seahawks

The 49ers season isn’t over if they lose, but it’s awful close.

Multiple members of the San Francisco 49ers have acknowledged the stakes of their Thursday night showdown with the Seattle Seahawks.

Cornerback Deommodore Lenoir said the team is treating it like a must-win game. Defensive end Nick Bosa echoed those sentiments. Linebacker Fred Warner didn’t mince words when he talked about what’s on the line for the 49ers on Thursday at Lumen Field.

It sounds melodramatic given that the club is only entering Week 6, and that a large swath of the roster’s key players were on the roster just three seasons ago when they got off to a 3-5 start.

This year is different, though, and the uptick urgency is being reflected by players in media settings.

It is true that a loss Thursday, which drops the 49ers to 2-4 overall, 0-3 in the NFC West and 0-4 in the NFC, wouldn’t end their season. They could mathematically win 11 straight games to go 13-4.

That’s an unrealistic expectation, which brings the ‘must-win’ phrasing into the picture.

San Francisco has Super Bowl aspirations. In the era of the 14-team playoff where only the No. 1 seed gets a bye week, that No. 1 seed is crucial. The advanced age of the 49ers’ roster and the spate of extra games they’ve played over the last five years because of four deep playoff runs makes the bye week an even greater necessity.

Their margin for error on potentially securing a No. 1 seed was ostensibly lit on fire when the team blew 10-point fourth-quarter leads against the Los Angeles Rams and Arizona Cardinals. They need to start racking up wins, and it has to start Thursday in Seattle, especially with dates against the Kansas City Chiefs and Dallas Cowboys looming.

If the 49ers win Thursday, things will feel more stable for them heading into their final two games before their bye.

If the 49ers lose Thursday, the one seed, and with it a potential Super Bowl run, may fall entirely out of reach.

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NFC standings: Week 6 vs. Seahawks is virtual ‘must win’ for 49ers

Week 6 is basically a must-win for the 49ers, and the standings show why.

The NFL standings don’t generally matter much after five weeks.

In an 18-week season injuries are prevalent, trades happen, and teams either hit their stride or fall off throughout the year, and the picture painted with the final standings rarely reflects what we see after a sample size of five games.

On the other hand, this year’s standings in the NFC put into perspective just how poorly the San Francisco 49ers’ season has gone, and the climb they have to get back into the postseason picture.

San Francisco after five weeks is sitting at No. 14 out of 16 NFC teams. The only teams behind them are the Los Angeles Rams and Carolina Panthers. Both of those teams are 1-4, and the Rams’ lone win came against the 49ers at SoFi Stadium in Week 3.

It’s been an abject disaster to start the year for the 49ers, and while the standings paint a bleak picture now, there are some silver linings.

Typically under Kyle Shanahan the 49ers have played their best football in November, December and January. They’re one of five NFC teams with two wins, and a win over the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night would put them atop the NFC West and into the No. 4 seed in the standings. That fact is why there’s no reason to hit the panic button just yet.

On the other hand, a loss to Seattle might be reason to panic. Dropping to 2-4 overall, 0-4 in the conference and 0-3 in the division with games against the undefeated Chiefs and the 3-2 Cowboys looming would put the 49ers in a bind that virtually eliminated their margin for error while they simultaneously try and right a rapidly sinking ship.

The standings through five weeks don’t tell the story of the entire season, but they paint a pretty clear picture of what’s at stake for the 49ers when they visit Seattle on Thursday.

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Highlights from the 2024 Pro Bowl Games, Flag Football competition

We’re looking at highlights from the 2024 NFL Pro Bowl games, and the Flag Football competition

We can now look towards Super Bowl 58 as the NFC won the Pro Bowl Games with an overall score of 64-59.

Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson broke up a pass from Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud to Los Angeles Chargers receiver Keenan Allen, creating a turnover on downs with four seconds remaining.

Stroud led all quarterbacks with 173 yards on 18-of-22 passing, while Seattle Seahawks’ Geno Smith led the NFC in passing with 154 yards on 15-of-21 passing.

Allen was among the standouts, with 90 receiving yards on nine catches, including three touchdowns receiving and one passing.

Dallas Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb had three touchdown catches, including one from Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. Detroit Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown had ten catches for 117 yards and a TD for the NFC.

Eagles report card: Grading every offensive position from the 2023 season

We’re looking at the final grades and report cards for the Philadelphia Eagles offensive position groups in 2023

After being officially eliminated in the wild-card round, the Philadelphia Eagles are preparing for 2024, and they’ll enter the offseason with a retooled coaching staff after replacing Brian Johnson (OC) and Sean Desao (DC) with Kellen Moore (OC) and Vic Fangio (DC).

While there are 20 pending free agents, Philadelphia will enter the 2024 offseason with front-office continuity, draft assets, and a clear plan for improving around Jalen Hurts.

With the new league year fast approaching, we’re looking at the final report card and offensive grades for 2023.

Eagles QB Jalen Hurts to compete in Precision Passing competition at Pro Bowl Skills Challenge

Darius Slay and Jalen Hurts are among 8 Philadelphia Eagles set to participate in the Pro Bowl Skills showdown on Thursday night and the Flag Football game on Sunday

The Eagles lost six of their final seven games down the stretch, but they’ll be properly represented on the NFC Pro Bowl roster.

D’Andre Swift earned his first 1,000-yard season in 2023, and his first Pro Bowl nod as well, becoming one of six Birds to initially earn a nomination.

wide receiver A.J. Brown (starter, 3rd selection), guard Landon Dickerson (reserve, 2nd selection), tackle Lane Johnson (starter, 5th selection), center Jason Kelce (starter, 7th selection), linebacker Haason Reddick (reserve, 2nd selection), and running back Swift (reserve, 1st selection).

Philadelphia had 9 Pro Bowl alternates: kicker Jake Elliott (1st alternate), quarterback Jalen Hurts (1st), cornerback Darius Slay (1st), return specialist Britain Covey (2nd), defensive end Josh Sweat (2nd), tackle Jordan Mailata (3rd), defensive tackle Jalen Carter (4th), tight end Dallas Goedert (4th), and guard Cam Jurgens (5th).

Hurts and Slay are among the 8 Eagles who’ll be participating in Pro Bowl skills challenges.

Eagles have two players named to Pro Bowl as replacements

The Philadelphia Eagles had Jalen Hurts and Darius Slay named to the Pro Bowl as replacements for Brock Purdy and Charvarius Ward

Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and cornerback Darius Slay have been named to the NFC team for the 2024 Pro Bowl Games in Orlando, Fla. on Sunday.

As first alternates, Hurts will be replacing Brock Purdy, and Slay will be replacing Charvarius Ward as the 49ers will face the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII.

The Pro Bowl Games replaced the traditional Pro Bowl, featuring a multi-day competition of skill games and flag football. The Pro Bowl Skills Show will be on Thursday, February 1 and the Pro Bowl Games on Sunday, February 4.

Eagles eliminated from playoffs after 32-9 loss to Buccaneers

Eagles eliminated from playoffs after 32-9 loss to Buccaneers

The Eagles are set for a dramatic overhaul following the team’s shocking 32-9 loss to the Buccaneers in the wild-card round of the NFC playoffs.

Philadelphia was 0-11 on third and fourth downs combined, tallying 268 total yards on ten offensive drives in a sloppy affair that saw missed tackles and no answer for the Tampa blitz as the Eagles were held to 38 rushing yards on the night.

Baker Mayfield outplayed Jalen Hurts, going 22-36 passing for 337 yards, three touchdowns, and 0 interceptions with a 119 quarterback rating.

Rachaad White was strong on the ground, rushing 18 times for 62 yards on the night.

The Eagles will now head into an uncertain offseason, having lost six of the final seven games played, and an overhaul could include head coach Nick Sirianni with the likes of Jim Harbaugh, Bill Belichick, and others available after mass changes around the league.

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Eagles Twitter reacts to humiliating 32-9 loss to Buccaneers in wild-card round

We’re looking at the social media reaction from Philadelphia fans after the Eagles loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the Wild Card round

The Eagles are set for a dramatic overhaul, and there’s nobody safe outside of Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Jalen Carter following the team’s shocking 32-9 loss to the Buccaneers in the wild-card round of the NFC playoffs.

Philadelphia was 0-11 on third and fourth downs combined, tallying 268 total yards on ten offensive drives in a sloppy affair that saw missed tackles and no answer for the Tampa blitz as the Eagles were held to 38 rushing yards on the night.

With a long offseason set to begin, here’s how Twitter reacted to the madness.

Eagles vs. Bucs: 10 takeaways from first half as Tampa leads 16-9 in NFC wild card game

We’re looking at then takeaways from the first half as tthe Buccaneers hold a 16-9 lead over the Eagles in the NFC wild card game

The Eagles were nearly run out of Raymond James Stadium, but after some timely drops by the Buccaneers and a renewed effort on defense, they trailed 16-9 at halftime.

Julio Jones had three catches in the first half for 22 yards before exiting with a concussion, and Philadelphia held Mike Evans and Chris Godwin to a combined two catches for 30 yards on seven targets.

With the second half set to begin, we’re looking at takeaways from a hard-fought first half.