Tag: NFL Playoffs

Down year, no playoffs may actually benefit 49ers

Can the 49ers turn an early offseason into a positive for 2025?

After three straight trips to the NFL playoffs, the San Francisco 49ers (6-10) will be on the outside looking in during this postseason.

The 49ers played in Super Bowl LVIII to cap the 2023 season and each of the two postseason trips before that featured San Francisco advancing to the NFC championship game. The 49ers also reached Super Bowl LIV in the 2019 campaign.

Under president of football operations and general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan’s direction, San Francisco has become accustomed to these deep postseason pushes.

With the 49ers set to enter the offseason earlier than expected, San Francisco hopes to turn that disappointment into some fashion of a positive.

“Yeah, I am,” Shanahan said when asked if he is excited about what the offseason will hold for San Francisco. “I’d be much more excited to not have one and to go all the way to February again, but that is tough.”

As Shanahan touched on Friday, missing the playoffs does allow the 49ers to jumpstart their offseason retooling sooner.

“When you go that that long, everyone needs to get away and by the time you come back there’s usually right when free agency’s starting and you’re not totally quite there yet. So, it’s going to be our first time since I think COVID being off in January.

“And it gives you more time to figure things out. It gives you time to go through the things like the cutups and stuff. You can finish most of that stuff all before the Super Bowl. And then you’re ready to go to other stuff like the draft and free agency and all that as soon as the Super Bowl ends,” Shanahan said.

Shanahan hopes an earlier start to the offseason can help the 49ers chart a path that keeps them out of this position in 2025.

“So just being a lot more ahead of that is real exciting and I’m ready to get to it. We’ve known we’re out of the playoffs here for a little bit and everything’s about finishing this year up the right way and not cutting anything short, finishing your job.

“But I also have been able to look to when I can start improving next year and making sure we’re not in this position again. And I know that starts Monday,” Shanahan said.

Lynch joined KNBR’s “Murph and Markus” show on Friday morning where he said that the 49ers’ plans for remedies to what ailed them in 2024 are “well in the works.”

Shanahan said he will fully dive in on the 49ers’ offseason process beginning on Monday.

“Not as much as John would and stuff,” Shanahan said when asked if he’s already begun his offseason process. “I’ve got an idea of stuff. I map out my January and have to answer my wife’s questions and kids and stuff who might think I’m off, but I’m not. So things like that. But as far as fully putting my mind into it and everything that won’t start until really the plane ride back.”

Shanahan also said that he doesn’t anticipate any changes in terms of his input on offseason personnel decisions.

“No, it’s always been the same. It’s always been the same and I still want it to be the same,” Shanahan said.

The 49ers close their 2024 season with a Sunday date at State Farm Stadium against the Arizona Cardinals (7-9). Kickoff is set for 1:25 p.m. PT with the game set to air on Fox.

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Broncos rooting guide: How Denver can make the NFL playoffs

Root for the Steelers and Jets this weekend. And, of course, a Broncos win.

Going into the final week of the 2024 NFL season, the Denver Broncos have three possible paths to clinch a spot in the NFL playoffs.

The first and simplest path would be to beat the Kansas City Chiefs. With a win, the Broncos would secure a 10-7 record, ensuring that neither the Miami Dolphins (8-8) nor Cincinnati Bengals (8-8) could catch them in the AFC’s Wild Card race.

The second path to the playoffs would be Denver getting a tie against KC. Even if the Dolphins and Bengals both won in Week 18, their 9-8 records would not beat a 9-7-1 record created by a Broncos tie.

The third path could see Denver back into the playoffs thanks to losses by both the Dolphins and Bengals. If Miami and Cincinnati both lose this weekend, the Broncos would make the playoffs even if they lose to the Chiefs and finish the season with a 9-8 record.

The Bengals will face the Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6) on Saturday. The Dolphins will take on the New York Jets (4-12) on Sunday.

Broncos rooting guide:

  • Bengals vs. Steelers: Pittsburgh win
  • Dolphins vs. Jets: New York win 
  • Broncos vs. Chiefs: Denver win

Sunday’s Broncos-Chiefs game will be regionally televised on CBS (view the TV map). With KC resting starters, Denver is considered a favorite at home in Week 18.

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Predicting the Broncos’ remaining game and final record

Can the Denver Broncos beat the Chiefs and clinch a spot in the NFL playoffs? Here is our final prediction of the regular season.

Back in November, we published score predictions for the Denver Broncos‘ final six games of the 2024 season.

The exact scores did not hit, but these were the win/loss predictions: beat Las Vegas Raiders, beat Cleveland Browns, beat Indianapolis Colts, lose to Los Angeles Chargers, lose to Cincinnati Bengals, and beat Kansas City Chiefs.

✅✅✅✅✅❓

That prediction had the Broncos finishing with a 10-7 record and making the NFL playoffs. If Denver beats the Chiefs on Sunday, the Broncos will clinch a spot in the NFL playoffs with a 10-7 record.

Let’s hope that November prediction comes true. Here is our updated score prediction with KC set to rest their starters on Sunday.

Week 18: Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs

(Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports)

Score prediction: Broncos 29, Chiefs 18

Record: 10-7 (playoffs clinched)

Because the Buffalo Bills are locked into the AFC’s No. 2 seed, they would be Denver’s opponent in the first round if the Broncos make the playoffs as the No. 7 seed. First things first, though, Denver needs to secure one more win (or tie) to clinch a postseason berth.

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Broncos’ record by season during 8-year playoff drought

The Broncos have the second-longest active playoff drought in the NFL. They’ll aim to change that on Sunday.

After winning Super Bowl 50 following the 2015 season, the Denver Broncos had a winning season in 2016 (9-7) but failed to make the NFL playoffs in their first year following Peyton Manning’s retirement.

Since then, the Broncos went seven-straight years without a winning season and eight-straight years without a playoff berth. Denver has the second-longest active playoff drought in the NFL, only trailing the New York Jets (14 seasons). The Broncos could pass the No. 2 spot to the Carolina Panthers (seven seasons) on Sunday.

Denver can clinch a spot in the 2024 NFL playoffs with a win (or tie) against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 18. With the team potentially on the verge of snapping it’s eight-year playoff drought, here’s a look back at the Broncos’ last ten seasons.

Broncos records since Super Bowl

2015: 12-4 (won Super Bowl)
2016: 9-7 (missed playoffs)
2017: 5-11
2018: 6-10
2019: 7-9
2020: 5-11
2021: 7-10
2022: 5-12
2023: 8-9
2024: 9-7 (one game left)

Sunday’s game will be regionally televised on CBS (TV map). With the Chiefs resting starters, the Broncos are considered favorites in Week 18.

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NFL playoff picture: Clinching scenarios for AFC’s Wild Card contenders

Here’s everything to know about the AFC Playoff clinching scenarios entering Week 18.

(This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.)

Going into the final week of the 2024 NFL season, three teams are competing for the final and seventh seed in the AFC playoff race.

Three more teams are competing for the fifth overall seed. And if that’s not enough, two more are competing for the AFC North division title, with the loser potentially dropping to the No. 6 spot.

So, what does this mean for the Houston Texans? Honestly, not much. Even in a loss against the Tennessee Titans, Houston would remain locked in as the No. 4 seed.

The Denver Broncos (9-7) currently hold the No. 7 seed. Should they lose to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, either the Miami Dolphins (8-8) or Cincinnati Bengals (8-8) could overtake Bo Nix and company for the final wild-card spot.

The Broncos will host the Chiefs and the Dolphins will face the New York Jets on Sunday. The Bengals will travel to face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday.

Here are the playoff-clinching scenarios for all three teams going into Week 18.

NFL playoff picture: AFC Wild Card

  • If the Broncos beat (or tie) the Chiefs, Denver would clinch a playoff berth.
  • If the Broncos lose to the Chiefs and the Dolphins beat the Jets, Miami would clinch a playoff berth.
  • If the Broncos lose to KC and the Dolphins lose to NY and the Bengals beat the Steelers, Cincinnati would clinch a playoff berth.
  • If the Dolphins and Bengals both lose, Denver would clinch a playoff berth even if the Broncos lose to the Chiefs.

Meanwhile, the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers are battling for the AFC North division. And the Los Angeles Chargers, who currently own the No. 6 seed, could improve their stock with a win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.

Here are the wild-card clinching scenarios for all three teams going into Week 18.

NFL playoff picture: AFC Wild Card

  • If the Ravens beat (or tie) the Browns, Baltimore would clinch the AFC North.
  • If the Steelers beat (or tie) the Bengals and the Ravens lose to the Browns, Pittsburgh would clinch the AFC North.
  • If the Ravens lose to (or tie) the Browns and Steelers lose to(or tie) the Bengals, Baltimore would clinch the AFC North.
  • If the Ravens beat (or tie) the Browns and Steelers beat (or tie) the Bengals, Baltimore would clinch the AFC North.
  • If the Ravens lose to (or tie) the Browns and Steelers lose to (or tie) the Bengals, Baltimore would clinch the AFC North.
  • If the Chargers win over the Raiders and the Steelers lose to (or tie) the Bengals, Los Angeles would clinch the No. 5 seed.

The Texans would face either the Ravens, Steelers or Chargers based on Saturday and Sunday’s results.

The Vikings are a lock for the playoffs. Who could they play there?

Who could the Vikings potentially face in the NFL playoffs this year?

The Minnesota Vikings are going to the playoffs regardless of Sunday night’s outcome against the Detroit Lions. Seeding is still on the line, though. A victory would give them home-field advantage and a bye week as the NFC’s No. 1 seed. But a loss would drop them to the No. 5 seed, forcing them to play on the road in the wild-card round.

If the Vikings secured the No. 1 seed, they would play the lowest-remaining seed in the NFC playoffs. This could be any team in the playoffs besides the Philadelphia Eagles, who are already locked into the No. 2 seed.

It remains to be seen where the Vikings will play if they end up with the No. 5 seed. Six of the seven NFC teams are determined, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons battling to win the NFC South.

The Bucs host the New Orleans Saints this Sunday. Atlanta will face the Carolina Panthers. Tampa Bay will clinch the NFC South with a win, while a loss and Atlanta win would get the Falcons in. If the seeding doesn’t change, the Vikings would currently head to Tampa Bay or Atlanta.

But the Los Angeles Rams could complicate things. Although they haven’t secured the No. 3 seed, head coach Sean McVay confirmed they will rest their starters against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 18.

This is a surprising decision, considering the Rams could drop to the No. 4 seed with a loss and a Bucs win. That would lead them to host the loser of the Vikings-Lions game. A Rams win in Week 18 would lock them into the No. 3 seed.

A Vikings victory in the wild card round could potentially set up a rematch with the Lions. If the Washington Commanders and Green Bay Packers, who are both locked into either the No. 6 or 7 seeds, were to lose, the Vikings would be the lowest-remaining seed. That would send them to Ford Field for the second time in three weeks.

If either the Commanders or Packers won their games, the Vikings would travel to Philadelphia as the highest-remaining seed. This might be the least desirable outcome, as the Eagles have ended promising Vikings seasons before.

An NFC North rematch could still happen if the Vikings get the No. 1 seed. The Lions would travel to Minnesota if the above scenario were to play out for them. But if the Packers won and were the lowest-remaining seed, the Vikings would host them for the second time in four weeks.

There is an outside chance the Vikings, as the No. 5 seed, could host a playoff game in the divisional round. If they win, and the Packers and Commanders win their games, the Vikings would host the No. 7 seed.

Week 18’s matchup against the Lions determines who will get the NFC’s top seed. But it may not be the final time the Vikings and Lions face off this season.

Will the Chargers rest starters Week 18 vs the Raiders? That depends

The Chargers will know Saturday night whether they will have anything to play for Sunday. And whether to rest their starters vs the Raiders.

Teams that don’t have anything to play for in the season finale. Some teams already know whether or not the result of the final game will matter. Others may have to wait. For the Chargers, it’s the latter.

The Chargers are already in the playoffs. Now it’s just a matter of which seed they are. It’s between the fifth and the sixth seed. And whether the fifth seed is up for grabs will be decided by Saturday night.

The late game on Saturday night is between the Steelers and Bengals. Should the Bengals win, the Chargers could claim the fifth seed with a win on Sunday. Should the Steelers win, the Chargers will have the sixth seed regardless of what happens on Sunday against the Raiders.

So, as of now, the Chargers probably don’t know whether they will be resting their starters or not. They will, however, know the answer to that before their heads hit the pillow Saturday night.

Tua Tagovailoa: I’ll be playing if Dolphins get in playoffs

Tua Tagovailoa says “no ifs, ands, or buts” about it, he’ll play next week if the Dolphins are in the playoffs.

Tua Tagovailoa isn’t expected to play Sunday against the New York Jets with the team’s playoff hopes on the line.

The same hip injury that kept the quarterback out last week against the Cleveland Browns will force the Dolphins to again turn to Tyler Huntley. But if Miami wins and gets help from the Kansas City Chiefs, Tagovailoa says there’s no chance he’ll sit out Wild Card Weekend.

“If the cards play out the way they should and the way we know and think they can, I’m going to be available next week,” Tagovailoa told reporters Friday. “There’s no ifs, ands or buts allowed. I’ll be playing. That’s for sure.”

Fortunately for the Dolphins, Huntley played well in Tagovailoa’s absence last week. The backup completed 84.6 percent of his passes for 225 yards and a touchdown, and added another 52 yards and a touchdown as a rusher.

“It’s tough for any competitor to have to sit out when the season is on the line and you know you can do more, but that just tells you how much trust and respect that we have for ‘Snoop’ (Huntley),” Tagovailoa said. “The defense has been balling as well, so looking forward to what our guys can do this Sunday and we’ll see how the cards fall and how they play out.”

The exact nature of Tagovailoa’s injury has been kept under wraps by the quarterback and the Dolphins. Head coach Mike McDaniel described it as a “unique muscle issue” that just needs time to regain security and strength.

“When it comes to pain, I think I’m good with all of that, but it’s just the restriction of what the doctors are saying I can do,” Tagovailoa said. “For sure, I thought I could’ve played last week. Just the doctors said no. That’s all it was.”

With Tagovailoa in the lineup this season, the Dolphins are 6-5. The fifth-year quarterback has 19 touchdown passes, seven interceptions, and an NFL-best 72.9 completion percentage.

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NFL playoff bracket predictions: How Bucs can get in, who they could face?

The Bucs will face the Saints with control of their own destiny where a win over their division rival earns them a ticket to the dance.

The 2024 NFL season concludes in just three days when the final game, the 272nd of the season, ends between the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings. While they compete for who will earn the number one and five seed, the Bucs are focused on securing their own playoff spot.

The Bucs will face the New Orleans Saints with control of their own destiny, where a win over their division rival earns them a ticket to the dance.

We bring up the Lions and Vikings because if the Bucs win and secure the fourth seed, they are playing the loser of that Sunday Night Football matchup. That would mean they would be facing arguably the second-best team in the conference in the Wild Card round of the playoffs despite winning their division.

The Bucs defeated the Lions in Week 2 this year on the road by a score of 20-16. The Bucs did not face the Vikings this year, so that would be a new test for this team. Either way, the Bucs are staring down the barrel of a tough playoff matchup right off the bat.

A win would propel them and their momentum heading into the divisional round. A loss, well, we all know where that sends any playoff team.

From 1-4 to playoffs: How unlikely was the Rams’ remarkable turnaround?

How many teams in NFL history have ever started a season 1-4 and made the playoffs?

The Los Angeles Rams came into the season with fairly high expectations, at least internally. After making the playoffs in 2023, many believed they could go even further than the wild-card round with Matthew Stafford, Kyren Williams, Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp all back, along with a fantastic young core of playmakers.

Those postseason hopes were quickly dashed after the team started 0-2 and then 1-4, falling behind in the NFC West with a bleak outlook for the rest of the season. Similar to last season, though, the Rams flipped a switch after their bye.

Following a 1-4 start, the Rams have won nine of their last 11 games and clinched the division title in Week 17, locking them in as the No. 3 or 4 seed in the NFC playoff bracket. The job’s not done yet but regardless of what happens in the postseason, the Rams pulled off one of the great turnarounds in NFL history.

Prior to this season, there were 253 teams that started 1-4 through five games. Only 15 of them made the playoffs, a rate of only 5.9%. That means the Rams are just the 16th team ever to start 1-4 and still go on to make the postseason.

The Bengals, who also started the year with losses in four of their first five games, can be the 17th team to accomplish what the Rams just did, but they need a lot of help in Week 18 in order to make the playoffs.

When you pair the Rams’ stunning comeback this season with last year’s turnaround, the NFL has never seen anything like it. They’re the first team in league history to enter their bye week with a losing record and make the playoffs in consecutive seasons.

No one inside the Rams’ building gave up on the season after their 1-4 start, a testament to the culture Sean McVay has created. Despite all the injuries and tough circumstances the Rams faced this year, they maintained the belief that they could right the ship and get back on track.

And that’s exactly what they did. Their only losses since the Week 6 bye were to the Dolphins in Week 10 and to the Eagles in Week 12. Along the way, they’ve beaten the Vikings, Seahawks, Bills, Cardinals and 49ers, as well as the Saints, Jets, Patriots and Raiders.

Few people saw a 9-2 stretch coming for the Rams after they lost four of their first five games, but they now look like one of the hottest teams in football. No one will want to face them in the playoffs.