Tag: NFL Playoffs

Touchdown Wire ranks the 20 worst playoff teams in NFL history

Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar ranks the most mediocre postseason participants ever, including the 2013 Packers, 1994 Bears and 1989 Steelers.

They say it’s not how you start, but how you finish.

That certainly can be true in the NFL. The 2007 Giants started 0-2, ended the regular season 10-6, withstood playoff tests by the Buccaneers, Cowboys and Packers, and somehow took down the undefeated Patriots — allegedly the best single-season team in NFL history — in Super Bowl XLII. Four years later, they had a similar curve — a 9-7 regular season, a wild-card berth that forced them to run through three playoff opponents on the way to the Super Bowl, another overtime win in the NFC Championship Game, and in the end, another win over the Patriots.

Neither of those Giants teams would be considered one of the greatest in NFL history, but they got the job done when it mattered. So did the 1980 Oakland Raiders, 1997 Denver Broncos, 2000 Baltimore Ravens, 2005 Pittsburgh Steelers, 2010 Green Bay Packers and 2017 Philadelphia Eagles — all wild-card teams who went on to win the Super Bowl. None of those teams rank among the worst NFL playoff teams of all time, because they won their ultimate game, no matter how shabby the regular-season results may have looked at times.

But the NFL playoff formats have allowed for some ragged postseason contestants through the years. Here are the worst of the lot since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger, considering regular-season performance, point differential, strength of schedule and postseason results.

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49ers final playoff scenarios heading into showdown with Seahawks

The 49ers know exactly what’s at stake in their Week 17 game vs. the Seahawks.

The 49ers and Seahawks will play the final regular-season game of the decade Sunday night, and the rest of the action wrapping up across the NFL means their playoff fates are officially set.

Here’s what the 49ers are facing with a win, loss or tie in Seattle:

A 49ers win means…

A win means an NFC West title and the No. 1 seed in the NFC for San Francisco. They’d get a first-round bye and hold home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. This didn’t change with Sunday’s games.

What did change was their second-round matchup. San Francisco’s first playoff game would be in the divisional round at home against the lowest-remaining seed. That means they’d host the Vikings, Seahawks or Eagles.

A 49ers loss means…

A loss means the 49ers finish second in the NFC West and grab the No. 5 seed in the NFC. Since the Eagles beat Dallas in Week 16, and downed the Giants 34-17 in Week 17, they earned the NFC East title and the No. 4 seed. The 49ers would travel to Philadelphia on wild card weekend. If they win that game, they’d either head to Green Bay or New Orleans in the divisional round depending on how the other games shake out.

A 49ers-Seahawks tie means…

A tie means the 49ers win the NFC West, but earn the No. 3 seed in the NFC. The third-place team doesn’t get a first-round bye, but they do get a home game on wild card weekend. In the event of a tie, San Francisco would host Minnesota at Levi’s Stadium in the wild card game. A win there would send them to New Orleans for the second round.

NFL playoffs scenarios: Live updates on playoff picture on final Sunday

Live updates to the NFL playoff positioning on the final Sunday of the NFL Season. See who is facing off against whom.

It’s the final day of the NFL season, and Things. Are. Happening. We’ve got top seeds still up for grab in the NFC, and despite everything, the Cowboys, Steelers, and Raiders (!) are still clinging to playoff life.

We’ve got live updates for you as the playoff picture comes into focus during the Sunday games.

Here’s what happened with the 1 p.m. games:

Here is the current playoff picture, after the 1 p.m. games. We will update as the weekend goes on.

AFC First Round Byes

No. 1 Ravens (13-2)

No. 2 Chiefs (12-4)

AFC Wild Card

No. 6 Titans (8-7) at No. 3 Patriots (12-4)

No. 5 Bills (10-6) at No. 4 Texans (10-5)

AFC Teams Still Alive

Pittsburgh (8-7) and Oakland (7-8)

Titans are playing Texans, and Steelers are playing Ravens in 4 p.m. ET games. The Raiders play the Broncos in a 4 p.m. ET game. 

NFC First Round Byes

No. 1 Packers (13-3)

No. 2 Saints (13-3)

Saints can lose first round bye if 49ers win, due to tiebreakers. Packers have locked a top-two seed.

NFC Wild Card

No. 6 Vikings (10-6) at No. 3 49ers (12-3)

No. 5 Seahawks (11-4) at No. 4 Eagles (8-7)

NFC Teams Still Alive

Cowboys (7-8)

The 49ers play the Seahawks in the Sunday night game, at 8:20 p.m. ET. The Eagles play the Giants in a 4 p.m. ET game. 

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Bills to face Texans in Wild Card

The Buffalo Bills now know their opponent for their next game and it’s the Houston Texans.

The Buffalo Bills now know their opponent for their next game and it’s the Houston Texans.

At the same time the Bills’ backups were wrapping up a 13-6 loss to the New York Jets in Week 17, the Kansas City Chiefs were busy beating the Los Angeles Chargers, 31-21.

Because of that outcome, the Bills will travel to Houston next weekend in their Wild Card game.

Per Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, the game is “expected” to be played on Saturday afternoon. However, the NFL has yet to officially announce it.

The Texans are facing the Tennessee Titans in Week 17 at 4:30 p.m. and have yet to conclude their regular season.

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How to Watch Packers vs. Lions, NFL Week 17 Live Stream, Schedule, TV Channel, Start Time

Watch Packers vs. Lions Live Online.

The Green Bay Packers (12-3) square-off with the Detroit Lions (3-11-1) in an NFC East contest for bragging rights. Detroit sits at the bottom of the division, while Green Bay is looking to improve its playoff seed after clinching the division. The first meeting between these two teams back in Week 6 came down to the wire with the Packers edging out the Lions 23-22 at Lambeau Field.

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Packers vs. Lions

  • When: Sunday, December 29
  • Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
  • TV: FOX
  • Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free)

While questionable calls may have been the difference maker in their first meeting, this time should be different. The Packers are on a roll with four consecutive victories, including a major 23-10 win in Minnesota last week. Aaron Rodgers completed 26 of 40 passes for 216 yards and one interception. It marked the ninth game that Rodgers had one or fewer touchdowns. No need to worry though, Aaron Jones stepped up for the offense with 23 carries for 154 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Davante Adams is a major threat anytime the ball is in his hands and that bodes well against a Detroit defense that ranks last in the NFL against the pass (282.6 YPG)

Unlike earlier this season, the Lions won’t have Matt Stafford at the helm and are down to their third string quarterback David Blough. Detroit is currently riding an eight-game losing streak after a 27-17 loss to the Broncos. Blough totaled just 117 yards through the air and was sacked four times. Kerryon Johnson rushed for 42 yards on 10 carries in his return from the injury. The Lions will need to establish their run game to find success. Green Bay’s rush defense is ranked 23rd (116.7 YPG), while their secondary has recorded the fourth-most interceptions as a unit this year.

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Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans odds, lines, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans Week 17 match up, with NFL betting odds, lines, picks and best bets

The Tennessee Titans (8-7) head into their game in Houston knowing that a win locks them into the playoffs, while the Houston Texans (10-5) have a chance to improve their playoff seeding. The game kicks off at NRG Stadium at 4:25 p.m. ET Sunday.

For the Texans to earn the No. 3 seed in the AFC playoffs (they are currently seeded No. 4 as AFC South division winners), they’ll need to beat the Titans and have the Los Angeles Chargers to beat an 8.5-point favorite Kansas City Chiefs in Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs play during Sunday’s early slate, so Texans head coach Bill O’Brien should know by kickoff whether the Texans have anything to play for … which could impact how long he plays his starters.

If the Texans starters see limited action or don’t play, then it would be a monumental disappointment if the Titans lost this game — and control of whether they make the postseason.

We analyze the Titans-Texans odds and sports betting lines while providing betting tips and advice on this Week 17 NFL matchup.

Titans at Texans: Week 17 preview, betting trends and notes

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  • The Texans beat the Titans 24-21 in Week 15, but the two have split the two-game series each season since 2016.
  • RB Derrick Henry has struggled in his career against the Texans:  he’s rushed for only 362 yards (51.7 per game) with two touchdowns in seven games against the Texans.
  • The Texans have won seven straight home games outright (6-1 against the spread) versus the Titans
  • The home team is 6-1 ATS in their last seven meetings.
  • Titans are 8-2 on the over/under in their last 10 games.
  • The Titans have scored 20+ points in each game QB Ryan Tannehill has started (6-3).

Titans at Texans: Key injuries

Titans: WR Adam Humphries (ankle) and CB Adoree’ Jackson (foot) were among those who did not practice. The Titans missed RB Derrick Henry (hamstring) last week in their 38-28 loss to the New Orleans Saints, but he’s on track to play in Week 17 against the Texans.

Texans: WR Will Fuller (groin) hasn’t practiced this week and is expected to miss the game. Numerous Texans starters were limited in practice this week, as well, including QB Deshaun Watson (back), WR DeAndre Hopkins (illness), WR Kenny Stills (knee), T Laremy Tunsil (ankle) and CB Bradley Roby (hamstring).

Titans at Texans: Odds, betting lines and prediction

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at noon ET.

Prediction

Titans 29, Texans 10

Moneyline (?)

I LOVE the TITANS -182 moneyline because it’s guaranteed that the Titans play all of their starters whereas it’s not with the Texans. In Week 15, the Titans outgained the Texans (432-374) and had more first downs, 24-23. A fluke Tannehill interception in the red zone, which lead to a Texans touchdown, was the major turning point that I will not factor in when handicapping this Week 17 matchup. BET TITANS -182.

New to sports betting? Every $182 wagered on the Titans to win straight up would profit $100 if the Titans win. A successful $10 wager on the Titans to win the game would return $5.49.

Against the Spread (?)

Even more so than the moneyline bet, whether the Texans go all out with their starters impacts the point-spread consideration. Of course, the Titans could still cover with the Texans’ starters playing the full 60, but if Watson isn’t out there making magic happen and the Texans trot out backups on a defense that ranks 30th in passing yards allowed per game, then a red-hot Tannehill and the TITANS (-4.5 +110) is a great bet.

Over/Under (?)

I anticipate this will be a one-sided affair with the Titans manhandling the Texans who will eventually sit their best players to preserve them for the playoffs. I don’t see Texans backup QB AJ McCarron and second-stringers having success. However, the likelihood of the Titans having offensive success concerns me. But ultimately I recommend BETTING UNDER 45.5 (-115).

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Report: Texans WR Will Fuller out for three weeks

Houston Texans wide receiver Will Fuller is sidelined for the next three weeks due to a groin injury.

Houston Texans wide receiver Will Fuller will not play in the Week 17 season finale against the Tennessee Titans after suffering a groin injury in Saturday’s win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, Fuller’s injury likely has a three-week recovery time. There is an outside chance he plays in the Texans’ first playoff game and a greater one that he returns if they were to advance.

Fuller suffered the injury in the first half of the 23-20 win in Tampa Bay. He previously missed Week 14’s loss to the Denver Broncos with a hamstring injury; an ailment that sidelined him from Week 7 to Week 12 before.

By missing the game, Fuller will have either not finished or not played in seven games in 2019. In games that he does start and finish, the Texans are 7-2.

He has never played a complete season, which, for the Texans, is concerning.

“He’s a great guy, love coaching him, but it’s hard for him to stay healthy,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said of Fuller on Saturday. “That’s the bottom line. Hopefully, we can help him stay healthy because this team is a very good team when we have him in the lineup.”

On the season, Fuller has 49 receptions for 670 yards and three touchdowns. His speed and precise route-running open up the offense for quarterback Deshaun Watson, who benefits from defenses giving attention to him.

Fuller has never played a full season in his four-year career. The closest he got to doing so was in 2016, when he played in 14 games, missing times for hamstring and knee injuries.

Throughout his career, Fuller has struggled with lower-body injuries specifically. In 2018, he played in just seven outings due to a torn ACL. In 2019, his crux is the hamstring and now groin.

In the meantime, expect wide receiver Kenny Stills to receive an uptick in snaps.

Broncos aim to spoil Raiders’ playoff chances in Week 17

The Raiders can still make the NFL playoffs but the Broncos aim to prevent that from happening.

The Raiders would need some help from other teams but they still have a chance to reach the 2019 NFL playoffs. The first order of business for Oakland will be defeating the Broncos in Denver.

The Broncos have already been eliminated from playoff contention but they have rallied behind rookie quarterback Drew Lock, who is 3-1 as a starter. Denver will aim to spoil the playoff hopes of its division rival in Week 17.

Beating the Raiders would be extra special for nose tackle Shelby Harris, who was cut by Oakland in 2016 before going on to record career highs in tackles (47) and sacks (six) with the Broncos. He has also knocked down eight passes this season, more than any other defensive lineman in the NFL.

“Being a former Raider myself, we definitely want to knock them out of the playoff hunt,” Harris said after Sunday’s 27-17 win over the Lions. “We’re going to go in there and play our game. They have a lot riding on the game, so they are going to come out swinging, but we want to end the season on a good note, so we’re also going to come out swinging.”

Sunday’s game will begin at 2:25 p.m. MT and will air on CBS.

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NFL Playoff Picture: Eagles take control of NFC East with 17-9 win over Cowboys

Eagles take control of NFC East with 17-9 win over Cowboys

The Philadelphia Eagles are more than in control of their own destiny, as they are now the pacesetters in the NFC East after a hard-fought 17-9 victory over the Cowboys.

The Eagles (8-7), now stand one win away from wrapping up the NFC East. An Eagles win or Cowboys loss would give Philadelphia the divisions.

Here’s an updated look at the NFC East and the NFC playoff picture as a whole.

***

NFC East standings

1. Philadelphia Eagles 8-7 No. 4 seed
2. Dallas Cowboys 7-8 No. 7 seed
3. New York Giants 4-11
4. Washington Redskins 3-12

***

NFC Playoff picture

1. San Francisco 49ers 12-3 NFC West leader, Projected No. 1 seed
2. New Orleans Saints 12-3 NFC South leader, Projected No. 2 seed
3. Green Bay Packers 11-3, Projected No. 3 seed
4. Philadelphia Eagles 8-7 NFC East leader, Projected No. 4 seed
5. Seattle Seahawks 11-5 Projected No. 5 seed
6. Minnesota Vikings 10-4 Projected No. 6 seed
7. Dallas Cowboys 7-8

***
The Eagles can win the NFC East if:

They beat (or tie) the Giants next week.
They lose to the Giants, and the Cowboys lose to the Redskins.

The Eagles defeated the Giants, 23-17, in overtime in Week 14, to start their 3 game winning streak.

Broncos coach Vic Fangio has an idea to fix NFL’s playoff seeding

Broncos coach Vic Fangio has an idea that he believes could fix the NFL’s playoff seeding problem.

The NFL’s playoff seeding system is flawed because division winners are ranked higher than non-division winners even if they have a worse record. A team that has a losing record (such as 7-9) could host a playoff game if they play in a bad division and win their division.

That kind of scenario could come into play in the NFC this year.

The Cowboys currently lead the NFC East with a 7-7 record. If the season ended today, Dallas would host the 49ers (11-3) in the first round of the playoffs. San Francisco would be punished for playing in a better division than Dallas. That shouldn’t happen.

Broncos coach Vic Fangio has an idea that would prevent that kind of scenario from happening in the future.

“Since the league went to 32 teams, which was when the Texans came in in 2002, my ideal suggestion — which has never been put forth in front of anybody important — I don’t think there should be divisions,” Fangio said on Dec. 11. “I think you’ve got 16 in each conference. Everybody should play each other once. That’s 15 games. Then if you want a 16th game, you play a natural rival from the other conference — Jets and Giants play every year, Eagles-Steelers, Texans-Cowboys, etc., play every year.

“Then keep it at 16 games, but you’ll avoid the problem that’s going to happen this year where probably an 8-8 team is hosting a 12-4 team. You’re going to get the six best teams in each conference. The divisions always float. There are some that are easy some years, some that have a bunch of good teams, that switches back and forth every couple years. I just think that’d be a good way to avoid it.”

The one drawback with Fangio’s plan would be the lack of non-conference games. If a team played a different non-conference opponent each season, it would take 16 years for an AFC team to play against every NFC team.

Would that be better than the current system? Fangio thinks so.

Fangio also isn’t a fan of the league’s proposed 18-game schedule. He suggested a reasonable substitution: two bye weeks.

“I just think 16 is more than enough,” Fangio said. “You can see some of these teams, us included to a degree, the injuries start to pile up. If they want an extra week of TV, give everybody two byes during the season.”

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