MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — The San Francisco 49ers, who were the defending NFC champions, saw their hopes of a postseason run come to an abrupt end before they even took the field in Miami on Sunday. Their elimination from playoff contention was sealed by the victories of both the Washington Commanders and the Los Angeles Rams.
The 49ers joined a select group of teams as they became the 16th to miss the playoffs following a loss in the previous Super Bowl. Their defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 58 on February 11 marked the beginning of a challenging season for the Niners.
Having clinched the NFC title in the 2019 season only to fall short against the Chiefs in the Super Bowl, the 49ers found themselves on the outside looking in on the postseason once again this year.
The Commanders’ triumph over the Philadelphia Eagles effectively dashed San Francisco’s hopes of securing a wild-card spot, while the Rams’ victory over the New York Jets officially put an end to the Niners’ chances of claiming the NFC West title. With the Rams holding the tiebreaker over the 49ers due to their successful season series, San Francisco’s road to the playoffs was abruptly cut short.
Alongside the 49ers, the Dallas Cowboys and the New Orleans Saints also saw their playoff aspirations vanish following the outcomes of Sunday’s matchups. The Commanders’ win over the Eagles extinguished the Cowboys’ hopes, while the Saints were eliminated by the Atlanta Falcons, who emerged victorious against the New York Giants.
In another blow to playoff dreams, the Arizona Cardinals suffered elimination after a disappointing loss to the Carolina Panthers.
Meanwhile, in the AFC, the Miami Dolphins found themselves in a must-win situation against the 49ers in their quest to keep their playoff hopes alive.
The events of Sunday’s games reshaped the playoff landscape, highlighting the competitive nature of the NFL as teams fought tooth and nail for a coveted postseason berth.
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This report is brought to you by the Associated Press.
