Following the first four weeks of the NFL‘s regular season, the league’s current standings are full of surprises. Many teams that were viewed as potential Super Bowl contenders ahead of the regular season have gotten off to disappointing 2-2 starts.
While each team has their own reasons for their early-season struggles, a few of them are suddenly trending in the wrong direction. Let’s take a look at which teams that currently sit at .500 will make the postseason and which teams will miss the playoffs.
2-2 Teams That Will Make Postseason
Baltimore Ravens
Following an 0-2 start to the regular season, including an unexpected loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, many were worried about the Baltimore Ravens. Yet, after back-to-back impressive victories, the Ravens are certainly trending in the right direction.
Baltimore is officially back in the playoff race, according to PFN’s Playoff Predictor. Following a 35-10 statement victory over the previously undefeated Buffalo Bills, the Ravens are currently the No. 7 seed in the AFC.
Star running back Derrick Henry has surpassed 150 rushing yards in each of Baltimore’s last two games. The Ravens signed Henry to be the team’s workhorse running back in free agency, and it looks like Baltimore is ready to ride him to the postseason.
Henry got off to an explosive start in Week 4, rushing for an 87-yard touchdown on his first carry of the game.
Derrick Henry….
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 30, 2024
San Francisco 49ers
No team in the NFL has been bitten by the injury bug more than the San Francisco 49ers in 2024. While the Niners await the return of superstar running back Christian McCaffrey, he isn’t the only notable starter who has missed games for San Francisco.
Deebo Samuel Sr. and George Kittle have also missed time, while San Francisco’s defense led the team to victory in Week 4. Despite all of the injuries that the 49ers have dealt with, they remain squarely in the NFC’s playoff race.
While many have questioned Brock Purdy due to San Francisco’s star-studded supporting cast around him, he’s held his own in 2024. Despite missing several key skill-position players to start the season, Purdy has completed 68.9% of his passes for 1,130 yards, five touchdowns, and two interceptions.
New York Jets
Following an unexpected loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 4, the New York Jets currently remain the No. 5 seed in the AFC. New York’s offense appeared confused and overwhelmed by Denver’s defense, especially while being forced to battle the elements in the rain.
While the Jets have plenty to clean up following the first four games of the regular season, they are in good shape moving forward. The AFC East is a mess, and Buffalo appears to be the only formidable opponent for New York right now. Aaron Rodgers will continue to get comfortable with his new weapons, and the Jets should fly into the postseason.
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers have somehow lost both games in which Jordan Love has started at quarterback, yet they are 2-0 when Malik Willis has started. The start of the regular season has certainly been odd, and the Packers are proof of exactly that.
While Green Bay is currently on the outside looking in at the playoffs, the Packers should improve as Love continues to work his way back from a knee injury. Both of Green Bay’s losses came down to the wire, and the Packers should land a Wild Card spot in the playoffs.
2-2 Teams That Will Miss the Playoffs
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles spiraled out of control last season, losing six of their last seven games. Unfortunately, Philadelphia’s struggles have seemingly carried into this season, having now lost eight of their last 11 games.
While the Eagles will head into a much-needed bye week in Week 5, it feels like Nick Sirianni is certainly on the hot seat. Luckily, Philadelphia has a relatively easy schedule remaining, as they’ll face just two teams that currently have a winning record.
Regardless of the Eagles’ remaining schedule, it’s hard to feel confident about them right now. Jalen Hurts has eight turnovers in just four games, and Philadelphia’s defense can’t tackle or rush the quarterback.
It certainly feels like the beginning of the end for Sirianni in the City of Brotherly Love, especially after his questionable reasoning for star running back Saquon Barkley having just two touches in Philadelphia’s first three offensive drives in Week 4.
Nick Sirianni was asked why Saquon Barkley only had two carries in the team’s first three drives.
This explanation by Sirianni is awful. Maybe the offense wasn’t able to sustain drives because the team’s best player wasn’t involved? pic.twitter.com/7y4cFsQboC
— Anthony DiBona (@DiBonaPFN) September 29, 2024
Denver Broncos
After an 0-2 start to the regular season, it felt like the Broncos were going to be one of the worst teams in the NFL. However, after back-to-back surprising wins, Denver is currently the No. 10 seed in the AFC.
While it certainly hasn’t been pretty, Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix has led Denver to a 2-2 record to start the regular season. Yet, despite winning consecutive games, Nix has struggled mightily with one passing touchdown and four interceptions.
Although the Broncos shocked the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jets, it’s hard to envision Denver’s success continuing much longer. The Broncos simply don’t have enough talent to make a legitimate playoff push in the AFC.
Dallas Cowboys
Although the Dallas Cowboys defeated the lowly New York Giants in Week 4, it was hard to come away from that game impressed with the team’s showing. New York managed to lose the game despite outperforming Dallas in several statistical categories.
Following a 2-2 start to the regular season, things are only going to get more difficult for the Cowboys in the coming weeks. Five of Dallas’ next eight games are against teams that would currently make the playoffs.
This upcoming stretch of games is going to make or break the Cowboys, as they attempt to remain afloat in the ultra-competitive NFC. If Dallas can survive this brutal slate of games, they could make a postseason push, but the Cowboys’ play through the first four weeks leaves little room for optimism moving forward.
