Tag: NFL playoff standings

49ers schedule: Week 11 game vs. Seahawks a virtual must-win

The 49ers need to beat the Seahawks for a bunch of reasons.

There’s a clear path to the postseason for the San Francisco 49ers that started in Week 10 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and continues in Week 11 against the Seattle Seahawks.

The game at Tampa Bay was a virtual must-win for the previously 4-4 49ers. A loss to fall to 4-5 could have been catastrophic. Alas, they pulled out a 23-20 victory on the road. While it was a significant win, it was only Step 1 for the 49ers. Perhaps more important is Sunday’s matchup against the Seattle Seahawks.

It doesn’t appear as though the 49ers’ road back to the playoffs will ever be easy this season. They could simply win the rest of their games and punch their ticket that way, but with games coming up in Green Bay, in Buffalo, at home against the Lions, Dolphins and Rams, and in Arizona, the likelihood they win out is slim. That puts a handful of other scenarios on the table.

There are too many different ways this can all play out to start listing them here, but there’s a real chance tiebreakers come into play for either the division or a wild card spot. The bottom line for Sunday’s game is that the 49ers can’t drop another game in the division after losing to the Cardinals and Rams earlier in the year.

NFL tiebreakers for the division start with head-to-head record. The 49ers would sweep the season series with the Seahawks with a win Sunday and climb further ahead of them in the standings. If the teams split their head-to-head matchups, which the 49ers would if they beat the Rams and Cardinals, then the next tiebreaker is record within the division.

San Francisco needs a trio of wins in the division down the stretch, and their second time through the NFC West begins Sunday.

There’s a wild card element to factor in as well.

The first tiebreaker for wild card teams is head-to-head matchup. We’ll cross that bridge when we get to it next week when the 49ers visit the No. 7 seed Green Bay Packers. The next tiebreaker is conference record, and San Francisco’s three NFC losses early in the year put them behind the curve in that category.

Racking up NFC wins is going to be imperative to not only have a playoff-caliber record, but also for getting a potential tiebreaker edge.

San Francisco could still make the postseason if they lose Sunday. A win makes the path much easier though, and finding out what it looks like with a loss to Seattle is probably a version of the playoff picture they’ll want to avoid.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Where Bengals sit in playoff standings after Sunday of Week 10

Do the Bengals still have a shot at the playoffs?

The Cincinnati Bengals lost another heartbreaker Thursday against the Ravens, falling to 4-6. The silver lining is that a handful of other AFC playoff contenders also lost in Week 10.

So even at 4-6, the Bengals still only find themselves just one game back in the AFC playoff picture. The division is already starting to get away from them after Pittsburgh also got to seven wins with their 28-27 victory over the Washington Commanders.

Current AFC North standings

1. Pittsburgh Steelers 7-2
2. Baltimore Ravens 7-3
3. Cincinnati Bengals 4-6
4. Cleveland Browns 2-7

As far as the wild card goes, a blocked field goal on what was thought to be a chip shot sunk the Denver Broncos in their upset bid of the Kansas City Chiefs. As a result, the Broncos fell to 5-5.

Elsewhere, the Indianapolis Colts continued their offensive struggles despite the switch to Joe Flacco. A 30-20 loss to the Buffalo Bills dropped the Colts to 4-6.

The Broncos, Colts and Bengals all currently sit with four conference losses. This could be a tight race right down to the end.

The Bengals do also have a chance next Sunday night to close the gap on the current No. 6 seed in the AFC, the 6-3 Los Angeles Chargers.

Current AFC playoff standings

1. Kansas City Chiefs 9-0
2. Buffalo Bills 8-2
3. Pittsburgh Steelers 7-2
4. Houston Texans 6-4
5. Baltimore Ravens 7-3
6. Los Angeles Chargers 6-3
7. Denver Broncos 5-5

8. Indianapolis Colts 4-6
9. Cincinnati Bengals 4-6
10. New York Jets 3-7
11. New England Patriots 3-7
12. Miami Dolphins 2-6
13. Cleveland Browns 2-7
14. Tennessee Titans 2-7
15. Las Vegas Raiders 2-7
16. Jacksonville Jaguars 2-8

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1]

Did Bengals’ season just get saved by the Chiefs?

Somehow…the Bengals just aren’t out of this thing just yet.

It appeared all hope was lost for the Cincinnati Bengals when the team dropped its latest heartbreaker by losing to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 10.

That was Thursday — Sunday provided some hope.

Hope came from an unexpected place, too, with the Kansas City Chiefs pulling off a last-second victory over the Denver Broncos in 16-14 fashion.

That kept the Broncos at just 5-5 on the season — and the 4-6 Bengals get a shot at them in Week 17.

Just as good? The Buffalo Bills beat the Indianapolis Colts, keeping that reeling club at 4-6.

The Bengals really needed the Los Angeles Chargers to lose on Sunday, too, but no dice there as Brian Callahan’s Tennessee Titans were just no match. But the Bengals get a shot at the Chargers in Week 11 on primetime.

Right now, the Bengals are one of two 4-6 teams with a shot at the final seed in the AFC. And considering the Chargers at 6-3 are still in danger of falling out in a conference that has seven teams with three or fewer wins, anything really is possible.

Six of Cincinnati’s last seven opponents to close the season call the AFC home. Win all six of those, which isn’t impossible, and the Bengals are a 10-win team in a conference that might be lucky to have seven teams finish with a winning record at this rate.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1]

Bengals make progress in AFC playoff standings for Week 10

The Bengals climbed the postseason standings in a weak AFC.

The Cincinnati Bengals took care of business against the now 2-7 Las Vegas Raiders and have themselves right back in the playoff picture with the trade deadline looming Tuesday.

Will the Bengals make a move and try to make a playoff push? They are now 4-5 but just one game back of the final spot, currently held by the 5-4 Denver Broncos.

The Bengals also moved within two games of the idle Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North race. The Bengals have a quick turnaround this week, facing the 6-3 Ravens on Thursday.

 

Current AFC North standings

1. Pittsburgh Steelers 6-2
2. Baltimore Ravens 6-3
3. Cincinnati Bengals 4-5
4. Cleveland Browns 2-7

 

Current AFC playoff standings

1. Kansas City Chiefs 7-0
2. Buffalo Bills 7-2
3. Pittsburgh Steelers 6-2
4. Houston Texans 6-3
5. Baltimore Ravens 6-3
6. Los Angeles Chargers 5-3
7. Denver Broncos 5-4

8. Indianapolis Colts 4-5
9. Cincinnati Bengals 4-5
10. New York Jets 3-6
11. Tennessee Titans 2-6
12. Miami Dolphins 2-6
13. Cleveland Browns 2-7
14. Jacksonville Jaguars 2-7
15. Las Vegas Raiders 2-7
16. New England Patriots 2-7

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1]

Where Bengals sit in AFC playoff standings entering Week 9

Believe it or not, the Bengals are still in the race.

The Cincinnati Bengals dropped a key game Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles, dropping the team to 3-5 on the season and clouding their playoff hopes. Cincinnati fell three games back in the AFC North thanks to Pittsburgh’s win over the New York Giants on Monday night. The good news is the Bengals still have both games against the Steelers left to play, Weeks 13 and 18.

 

Current AFC North standings

1. Pittsburgh Steelers 6-2
2. Baltimore Ravens 5-3
3. Cincinnati Bengals 3-5
4. Cleveland Browns 2-6

In the wild card race, the Bengals are 1.5 games out of the last playoff spot, currently held by the Los Angeles Chargers at 4-3. Cincinnati is ninth in the standings, also needing to jump the 4-4 Indianapolis Colts. Fortunately for the Bengals, they do get the Chargers in Week 11, so there’s an opportunity to close the gap, if not overtake the Chargers in the pecking order. They do not play the Colts this season.

 

Current AFC playoff standings

1. Kansas City Chiefs 7-0
2. Houston Texans 6-2
3. Pittsburgh Steelers 6-2
4. Buffalo Bills 6-2
5. Denver Broncos 5-3
6. Baltimore Ravens 5-3
7. Los Angeles Chargers 4-3

8. Indianapolis Colts 4-4
9. Cincinnati Bengals 3-5
10. Miami Dolphins 2-5
11. Cleveland Browns 2-6
12. Las Vegas Raiders 2-6
13. Jacksonville Jaguars 2-6
14. New England Patriots 2-6
15. New York Jets 2-6
16. Tennessee Titans 1-6

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1]

Where Bengals sit in AFC playoff standings entering Week 8

Don’t look now but…the Bengals are very much still alive.

Following 0-3 and 1-4 starts, the Cincinnati Bengals were quickly sitting at the bottom of the playoff picture in the AFC. Two straight wins since then having moved the Bengals right back into contention for at least a wild card spot.

At 3-4, the Bengals enter Week 8 just one game behind the 4-3 Denver Broncos for the last playoff spot in the AFC. They are two games back in the AFC North and have already dropped a game to the Ravens along with being 1-3 against AFC opponents.

Current AFC North standings

1. Baltimore Ravens 5-2 (1-0 division)
2. Pittsburgh Steelers 5-2 (0-0)
3. Cincinnati Bengals 3-4 (1-1)
4. Cleveland Browns 1-6 (0-1)

Current AFC playoff standings

1. Kansas City Chiefs 6-0 (3-0 conference)
2. Houston Texans 5-2 (4-0)
3. Baltimore Ravens 5-2 (2-2)
4. Buffalo Bills 5-2 (4-2)
5. Pittsburgh Steelers 5-2 (4-1)
6. Indianapolis Colts 4-3 (3-2)
7. Denver Broncos 4-3 (2-2)

8. Los Angeles Chargers 3-3 (2-2)
9. Cincinnati Bengals 3-4 (1-3)
10. Miami Dolphins 2-4 (2-3)
11. Las Vegas Raiders 2-5 (2-3)
12. New York Jets 2-5 (2-3)
13. Jacksonville Jaguars 2-5 (2-4)
14. Tennessee Titans 1-5 (1-3)
15. Cleveland Browns 1-6 (1-2)
16. New England Patriots 1-6 (1-4)

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1]

Bengals jump back into NFL playoff standings conversation after win

Where the Bengals sit in NFL playoff standings after picking up another win.

The Cincinnati Bengals made it two in a row with the Week 7 win over the Cleveland Browns.

Just like that, Joe Burrow and Co. are right back in the thick of things in the AFC NFL playoff race.

Despite the 0-3 start and flirting with a 12th seed or worse in the AFC, the Bengals have entered the top 10 and near those “if the playoffs were today” conversations.

Three of the Bengals’ next four opponents before the Week 12 bye are AFC teams, too.

 

AFC NFL playoff standings

  1. Kansas City Chiefs (6-0)
  2. Houston Texans (5-2)
  3. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2)
  4. Buffalo Bills (5-2)
  5. Baltimore Ravens (4-2)
  6. Los Angeles Chargers (3-2)
  7. Indianapolis Colts (4-3)
  8. Denver Broncos (4-3)
  9. Cincinnati Bengals (3-4)
  10. Miami Dolphins (2-4)
  11. Las Vegas Raiders (2-5)
  12. New York Jets (2-5)
  13. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-5)
  14. Tennessee Titans (1-5)
  15. Cleveland Browns (1-6)
  16. New England Patriots (1-6)

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1]

The NFL’s Week 9 Overreaction Index: Contenders and Pretenders

Trying to separate the legitimate playoff contenders from the pretenders.

If it is Monday, it is time for the NFL Overreaction Index. Each week we take a look at some of the stories from the NFL that are generating a ton of reaction to try and ascertain what is legitimate, and what reactions are more over the top.

In the past few weeks we have focused on the trade deadline and potential MVPs. In this installment we are going to take a look at some of the fringe playoff teams. Organizations that are not currently leading their respective divisions, but are looking at Wild Card berths. Out of this group, what teams are legitimate contenders, and what teams are pretenders?

Thankfully, we had some surprising results from Sunday to shake things up a bit. Yes, I’m looking at you, Buccaneers…