Tag: NFL Playoff Picture

NFL playoff picture: What are Chargers’ chances of making postseason after win over Bengals?

The Chargers are in great position to play beyond the regular season.

The Chargers beat the Bengals on Sunday, picking up their fourth consecutive victory. They improved to 7-3, and their chances of playing beyond the regular season.

According to NFL.com, Los Angeles has a 91% chance of making the playoffs. With the Bolts’ win and the Ravens’ loss to the Steelers on Sunday, L.A. moved up to the fifth seed.

Here’s a look at the division standings entering Week 12:

1. Chiefs (9-1)

2. Chargers (7-3)

3. Broncos (6-5)

4. Raiders (2-8)

And a look at the playoff picture:

*There are (7) available Playoff spots

1. Chiefs (9-1)

2. Bills (9-2)

3. Steelers (8-2)

4. Texans (6-4)

5. Chargers (7-3)

6. Ravens (7-4)

7. Broncos (6-5)

8. Colts (5-6)

9. Dolphins (4-6)

10. Bengals (4-7)

AFC playoff matchups if the season ended today:

  • No. 2 Bills vs. No. 7 Broncos
  • No. 3 Steelers vs. No. 6 Ravens
  • No. 4 Texans vs. No. 5 Chargers

NFL standings highlight why 49ers loss to Seahawks was so damaging

The 49ers are in last in the NFC West … yikes.

The San Francisco 49ers looked primed to fight their way back to the playoffs like they have multiple times after slow starts under head coach Kyle Shanahan.

They entered Week 11 at 5-4, and a win over the Seattle Seahawks would have put them in a tie for the NFC West and nipping at the heels of a wild card spot if their division hopes fell short.

Instead, they lost 20-17 at Levi’s Stadium and made what was a relatively clear path to the postseason a lot more cloudy.

Here is where the 49ers sit in the NFC West after Sunday:

1. Cardinals (6-4)
2. Rams (5-5)
3. Seahawks (5-5)
4. 49ers (5-5)

While on the surface this doesn’t look so bad, we have to factor in the reality that the 49ers aren’t playing well enough to believe they’ll win the rest of their games. If they did do that, they’d be in a great spot.

Unfortunately this season has shown us these aren’t the 49ers teams of recent history (read: last season).

So what we have is a team that now at best can split with every team in the division. If they do that they’ll be 3-3 overall in the NFC West. The problem with that is division record is the first tiebreaker after head-to-head matchups. In our scenario the 49ers would go to the division record with any team they tie with, and 3-3 isn’t likely going to cut it.

To win the NFC West the 49ers will now have to go on such a tear that they avoid a tie breaking scenario. Given the struggles this club has dealt with since Week 2, we’re not ready to bank on that just yet.

Perhaps there’s a run in them. Maybe injuries hit other teams or they start playing poorly later in the year and the 49ers scoop up a slew of wins in the final seven games. That would change the calculus.

Where they sit after a Week 11 defeat against the Seahawks, however, the path to the postseason by way of winning the division looks darker than it has in a long time.

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NFL playoff picture, Week 11: Dolphins back in the mix

The Dolphins are creeping their way up the standings in the AFC.

(This story was updated to add new information.)

The Miami Dolphins earned a second straight win Sunday with a surgical dissection of the Las Vegas Raiders. The 34-19 victory improved the Dolphins’ record to 4-6 and kept the team in the mix for a playoff spot.

While there’s still work to be done for Miami, the team is hot on the heels of other teams in the AFC that are vying for one of the conference’s seven postseason berths.

But unfortunately for the Dolphins, not much ground was given up by the teams ahead of them. With Week 11 in the books, here’s how the AFC standings stack up:

  1. Kansas City Chiefs: 9-1 (30-21 loss vs. Bills)
  2. Buffalo Bills: 9-2 (30-21 win vs. Chiefs)
  3. Pittsburgh Steelers: 8-2 (18-16 win vs. Ravens)
  4. Houston Texans: 7-4 (34-10 win vs. Cowboys)
  5. Los Angeles Chargers: 7-3 (34-27 win vs. Bengals)
  6. Baltimore Ravens: 7-4 (18-16 loss vs. Steelers)
  7. Denver Broncos: 6-5 (38-6 win vs. Falcons)
  • Indianapolis Colts: 5-6 (28-27 win vs. Jets)
  • Miami Dolphins: 4-6 (31-19 win vs. Raiders)
  • Cincinnati Bengals: 4-7 (34-27 loss vs. Chargers)

The six AFC teams not listed all have at least eight losses.

What may loom large at the end of the year is the Dolphins’ 16-10 loss to the Colts in October. However, if Miami keeps winning, those tiebreaking consequences could be left in the dust if Indianapolis picks up more losses.

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Almost every game went the Dolphins’ way Sunday

The Dolphins are looking for their first win in over a month, yet the lackluster AFC is keeping them alive.

The Miami Dolphins are 2-6 and riding a three-game losing streak. But thanks to a mediocre list of contenders in the AFC, a run to the postseason isn’t that far-fetched for Mike McDaniel and company.

Regardless of the result of the Dolphins’ Monday night matchup with the Los Angeles Rams, there will be just six teams in the AFC above .500 when Week 11 begins.

While keeping up with the Buffalo Bills in the AFC East race doesn’t look like a realistic scenario for the Dolphins, catching the Denver Broncos for the last spot in the playoff field isn’t inconceivable. Especially after a nearly perfect day of results for Miami on Sunday.

The Chiefs knocked Denver down to 5-5, the Bills dropped the Colts to 4-6, and neither the Jets nor the Jaguars were able to get a win to climb back into the mix. Couple those scores with the Bengals falling to 4-6 with a Thursday loss to the Ravens, and the Dolphins couldn’t have asked for the table to be set much better.

Perhaps in an absolutely ideal world, the Commanders would’ve kept the Steelers from picking up a seventh win, the Bears would’ve kept the Patriots firmly in last place in the AFC East, and the Titans would’ve dropped the Chargers to 5-4.

Regardless, here’s what the AFC standings look like after Sunday:

  1. Kansas City Chiefs: 9-0
  2. Buffalo Bills: 8-2
  3. Pittsburgh Steelers: 7-2
  4. Houston Texans: 6-3
  5. Baltimore Ravens: 7-3
  6. Los Angeles Chargers: 6-3
  7. Denver Broncos: 5-5
  • Indianapolis Colts: 4-6
  • Cincinnati Bengals: 4-6
  • New York Jets: 3-7
  • New England Patriots: 3-7
  • Miami Dolphins: 2-6

With a victory, Miami would slide up to 10th on the list and sit a game and a half behind the Broncos. Of course, the postseason ramifications will quickly stop mattering if the Dolphins can’t end their losing streak.

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NFL standings: 49ers back out of playoff picture after Week 7 action

The 49ers are in a bad spot when it comes to the playoff hunt.

What a difference a week makes.

The San Francisco 49ers were riding high after a Week 6 road win over the Seattle Seahawks that launched them from the No. 14 seed in the NFC to the No. 4 seed thanks to their new lead in the NFC West.

Then came Week 7.

In Week 7 not only did the 49ers lose, they were the only NFC West team that didn’t win. Instead of sitting atop the division and holding onto a playoff spot, San Francisco now finds itself in survival mode just trying to get back into the playoff picture.

Seattle leads the NFC West at 4-3. The Arizona Cardinals are in second place at 3-4 thanks to their head-to-head tiebreaker over the 3-4 49ers.

It’s imperative to note there are still 11 weeks of football to go and the NFC West doesn’t have a dominant force the 49ers can’t overcome. However, there are a slew of teams ahead of San Francisco that are just playing better football through seven weeks.

The No. 1 seed Detroit Lions have hit their stride, as has virtually the entire NFC North. Minnesota, Green Bay and Chicago hold seed Nos. 5-7 to round out the playoff picture. Washington is the No. 2 seed and looks unstoppable on offense. NFC West leader Seattle is in the No. 3 spot, and the Falcons are the No. 4 seed as the NFC South leaders.

We can scrap thoughts of the No. 1 seed for the 49ers. It feels out of reach even if San Francisco wins out. They just need to start stringing together some wins to get back into the playoff picture to begin with and separating themselves from some of the NFC’s bottom dwellers.

Once they do that we can start to worry about seeding. For now, they just need to get into that conversation.

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49ers skyrocket into NFC playoff picture after Week 6

The NFC playoff picture once again features the 49ers.

Week 6 may mark a turning point in the 2024 season for the San Francisco 49ers.

After stumbling through the first five weeks, the 49ers righted the ship with a 36-24 victory over the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football. The win put San Francisco in first place in the NFC West by way of head-to-head tiebreaker over the Seahawks.

With the Arizona Cardinals loss to the Green Bay Packers, the 49ers were guaranteed to end Week 6 with a share of first place in their division. They also skyrocketed up the NFC standings and firmly into the playoff picture.

The 49ers entered Week 6 at No. 14 out of 16 teams in the NFC thanks to a putrid 0-3 record in the conference that dropped them below other 2-3 teams because of tiebreakers.

After Week 6 the 49ers now find themselves in position to host a home playoff game. Here’s what the playoff picture looks like entering Week 7:

1. Vikings (5-0)
2. Falcons (4-2)
3. Commanders (4-2)
4. 49ers (3-3)
5. Lions (4-1)
6. Bears (4-2)
7. Buccaneers (4-2)

Step 1 for the 49ers was getting themselves back into the playoff picture after starting the year on the outside looking in. A third of the way through the year they’re in a better spot and their path ahead is clear.

San Francisco’s goal is obtaining the No. 1 seed. That still seems a ways off since they’re 2.5 games back of the Vikings for that spot and Minnesota holds the head-to-head tiebreaker.

The more immediate focus should just be climbing the standings and trying to gain some separation from their NFC West rivals.

Moving ahead isn’t going to be easy for the 49ers. They host the Kansas City Chiefs and Dallas Cowboys before their bye week. Those games won’t be easy, but thanks to Week 6, San Francisco is in a position to perhaps get as high as No. 2 in the NFC before getting a much-needed week off where reinforcements could be coming off of IR.

Week 6 was big for the 49ers, but it only put them back on track. Every game moving forward will be even bigger if they’re going to re-assert their dominance in the NFC.

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Chargers’ playoff chances look promising after Week 6 win

The Chargers have a relatively easy schedule coming up.

The Chargers improved to 3-2 after defeating the Broncos last Sunday.

According to Playoff Status, the NFL post-season probabilities after Week 6 show that Los Angeles has a 66% chance of making the playoffs.

This factors in win/loss with a probability based upon relative strengths.

It’s still early in the season, but the Chargers have an opportunity to be in great shape after the next five games. The Cardinals, Saints, Browns, Titans, and Bengals—all teams below .500—are on tap.

Aside from having a relatively easy schedule coming up, the Bolts’ defense has continued to show it can make life difficult for any opposing offense. Meanwhile, the offense seems to be starting to click.

I predicted L.A. would make the playoffs at the beginning of the season, and the numbers are in favor of it, too.

NFL playoff scenarios: The updated playoff picture in Week 18 after the Titans and Bucs won on Sunday

A look at the playoff picture and clinching scenarios after Saturday’s games.

Week 18 in the NFL has begun in 2024, with two games played on Saturday that had an affect on the playoff race.

The Houston Texans walked away with a victory and a playoff spot with a win over the Indianapolis Colts. The Pittsburgh Steelers needed a win for many of their scenarios to get into the postseason and got it against the Baltimore Ravens, who rested their starters.

So what does the updated playoff scenario picture look like as of Sunday morning? Glad you asked. Here’s a look at what teams who are still in the running need to have happen to clinch:

Eagles vs Giants: How to watch, listen, and stream Week 18

The Eagles look to prepare for the playoffs in less favorable seeding than last year, but the Giants look to the future.

The Philadelphia Eagles (11-5) round out the 2023-24 season on the road against the New York Giants (5-11). The Eagles look to prepare for the playoffs in less favorable seeding than last year, but the Giants look to the future.

The Giants come off a 26-25 loss to the Los Angeles Rams (9-7) and the Philadelphia Eagles come off a 35-31 loss to the Arizona Cardinals (4-12).

Here’s how to watch, stream, and listen to the game.

Game Information

Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants

4:25 PM ET on Sunday, January 7

MetLife Stadium – East Rutherford, New Jersey

How to watch

Sunday’s game will be broadcast on CBS. Ian Eagle and Charles Davis will be in the broadcast booth. Evan Washburn will be on the sidelines.

Fans can also catch the game on NFL Network.

Streaming

NFL Game Pass, the NFL mobile app, and NFL+.

Also available live on FuboTV

“Live stream fuboTV (free 7-day trial)”

Radio

Philadelphia: For Eagles fans or those in the market, you can listen to Merrill Reese and Mike Quick calling the game on SportsRadio 94WIP. The desktop version of PhiladelphiaEagles.com/LiveRadio will provide a live feed of the SportsRadio 94WIP broadcast feed that is available nationwide. Fans can also listen on the Eagles app in the Philadelphia market.

Giants: For Giants fans or those in the market, you can listen to the game on WFAN 101.9FM. Fans can also listen to the Giants app in the New York market.

Satellite Radio

SiriusXM Philadelphia – Ch. 138 or 383, Giants – Ch. 83 or 228

Social Media

Follow along on Twitter
Facebook, Thacover2NFL.

Three bets and one parlay to make in the Eagles-Giants game

The Philadelphia Eagles (11-5) have one last shot to finish the season strong before getting ready for playoffs against the New York Giants (5-11) on Sunday.

The Philadelphia Eagles (11-5) have one last shot to finish the season strong before getting ready for playoffs against the New York Giants (5-11) on Sunday. Both teams have different immediate futures they’ll be looking to in the postseason, but will remain focused on what they see from their players in future games like this one.

The Eagles are (-200) favorites on BetMGM with the Giants being (+250) underdogs at home. Check out more bets and a parlay for this NFC East season finale matchup.

Jalen Hurts Anytime TD

Granted, the Eagles may choose to rest their starters and makeshift somewhat of a “bye week” that the team is going to need heading into the postseason, but if not, I expect a Hurts anytime touchdown at some point in the game. I think they might give him the touchdown opportunity and then put Marcus Mariota in, but I don’t see a world where Hurts wouldn’t get a rushing touchdown to round out the season finale.

Saquon Barkley Anytime TD

I’d say the same for Barkley. Against a divisional opponent, I’d assume Barkley is ready to throw a wrench in the Eagles’ playoff plans. In Week 16, Barkley earned a rushing touchdown and I think he’s capable of delivering again. If the Eagles defense is resting, this bet should almost be a given and you’ll probably find better value parlaying this with other bets.

O 38 Total Points

Regardless of who plays on Sunday, I think both teams are capable of putting up points to round out the season. I think whoever starts with the ball will set the momentum for the rest of the game. It’s an NFC East division on the line, so I think the Giants are either going to be trying to stop the Eagles or not care as much and just focus on good NFL Draft positioning.

Jenn’s Philly-Philly Parlay (+160, BetMGM)

Eagles Moneyline

O 39.5 Total Points

Each Team O 11.5 Points

Check out EaglesWire all season long for more NFL bets and analysis.