4 hours Ago By David Kenyon
Three weekends remain in the 2024 NFL regular season, and a path to the playoffs exists for 23 of the league's 32 teams. Nine of those franchises, however, will not continue their campaign in mid-January. And, from an outsider's view, a handful of those organizations really shouldn't be worried about the postseason anymore.
This season, even though it's not officially over, is a lost one. While each of these choices is subjective, the five teams highlighted are mathematically alive in the playoff race. The moment it became clear Dak Prescott's hamstring injury was serious, any lingering optimism around the Dallas Cowboys faded.
At that point, they were 3-5. They had already lost three straight games, and the skid reached five in a row after setbacks to the Philadelphia Eagles and Houston Texans. The bright side, to some degree, is Dallas has not quit.
An upset of the Washington Commanders has sparked a 3-1 surge for the Cowboys, who otherwise beat the reeling New York Giants and Carolina Panthers. They are still clinging to the fringe of the NFC race. If the Cowboys pull off a miraculous wild-card berth, though, it would only complicate what should be a busy offseason.
Changes must happen in Dallas. The roster isn't good enough, and head coach Mike McCarthy's expiring contract gives the Cowboys a straightforward path to a new direction. But a trip to the playoffs would make it less likely that Dallas moves on.
It's been a season to forget for the Indianapolis Colts, who have dealt with a self-inflicted game of musical chairs at quarterback, several close losses and just a generally underwhelming year. How soon until the offseason, again? The futures of both general manager Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen are unclear. Those decisions should be final by now internally, though, even if they're not publicly known.
Why? Nothing can happen down the stretch that should alter offseason plans. Look, this has been a mediocre team—not simply in 2024. The success rate of Ballard's recent draft picks is low, and the offense hasn't improved as hoped with Steichen in charge.
If the Colts want to try another season, it's at least defensible. Not popular within the fanbase, perhaps, but defensible. However, if leadership change is Indy's preference today, beating the Tennessee Titans, New York Giants and Jacksonville Jaguars—teams with a combined 8-34 record—would be a foolish reason to reverse course.
Part of why the Miami Dolphins have struggled so badly is simple: Tua Tagovailoa missed four games. Without him, the Fins scored a meager 40 points and trudged to a 1-3 record. But the reality is that the quarterback's absence is merely one piece of a frustrating story in Miami.
Despite having Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and plenty of speed, the Dolphins' passing game has lacked explosiveness. Additionally, only the Las Vegas Raiders have rushed for fewer yards per carry than Miami's 3.9.
Last season, the Fins paced the NFL in the category at 5.1. Unless the offense suddenly unlocks the best version of itself, Miami wouldn't be a real contender in the playoffs anyway.
The sooner this disappointment is over, the better. Just put them out of their misery. When the New Orleans Saints hit seven straight losses, the organization fired head coach Dennis Allen.
His tenure ended with an 18-25 record in two-plus seasons. Veteran quarterback Derek Carr missed three contests in the middle of the skid, and he's expected to sit through the Saints' final four games. Star receiver Chris Olave endured a scary concussion in October and hasn't returned.
Injuries have shelved Rashid Shaheed, Taysom Hill and key members of the defense. You get the point. It's been a brutal year.
New Orleans is technically still in the NFC South race, but that's simply—as the saying goes—putting lipstick on a pig. The Saints' 5-9 record is an accurate reflection of a below-average team. Dallas and Miami are both far below expectations, but it would be tough to muster an argument persuasive enough to not label the San Francisco 49ers the most disappointing team.
San Francisco had reached the NFC Championship Game in three straight years, winning the conference last season. Brock Purdy's fourth-place finish in MVP voting solidified the Niners—who opened 2024 as the betting favorite to win the NFC—near the top of the league's hierarchy. Instead, they have epitomized the warnings that recent success guarantees nothing in the future.
The offense is 23rd in red-zone touchdown rate, not least because All-Pro back Christian McCaffrey only played four games. Top receiver Brandon Aiyuk struggled even before his knee injury, and Deebo Samuel's regression has continued. Purdy isn't without blame, but the team's issues are much deeper than a few inaccurate throws.
San Francisco desperately needs the offseason to start so a jolt of optimism can return to a talented roster..
