The San Francisco 49ers beat the Atlanta Falcons 34-24 in the last Monday Night Football game of the season. But the 10-point margin of victory doesn’t tell the story of what happened in this game. This was the last regular season, and probably the last game ever in Candlestick Park, unless the 49ers have a home game in the playoffs. It was a game that looked like it would end with either a 49er loss, or at least be going into overtime.
San Francisco had just scored on a 1-yard touchdown run by Frank Gore, with 5:04 remaining, to take a 27-17 lead. But the Falcons drove 80 yards, and scored on a 2-yard touchdown reception by Tony Gonzalez, to get within 3 points, with just over 2 minutes remaining, then recovered an onside kick. The Falcons were at the 49er’s 10 yard line with 1:29 left.
The situation was looking bad for the home team when IT happened. Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan threw a pass to receiver Harry Douglas, but 49er cornerback Tramaine Brock was fighting him for the ball, which deflected up in the air, and 49er linebacker NaVorro Bowman caught the ball and ran 89 yards for a touchdown.
Bowman’s interception return for a touchdown gave his team back a 10-point lead. Ironically, Bowman was the player that allowed the onside kick to get past him, and into the hands of Falcon running back Jason Snelling. Bowman redeemed himself in dramatic fashion. This was supposed to be an easy win for the 49ers over the 4-11 Falcons, but it ended with the win San Francisco needed to earn a place in the playoffs. If they beat the Arizona Cardinals, and the Seattle Seahawks lose to the St. Louis Rams, the 49ers win the National Football Conference (NFC) West, otherwise the Seahawks win the division, and the 49ers are a wild card.
With one game remaining for each team in the National Football League (NFL), no team has clinched their division in the NFC yet. The Seahawks lead the NFC West, and the Carolina Panthers now lead the NFC South, after beating their division rival New Orleans Saints on Sunday 17-13. The Saints currently have the other wild card spot, with the Cardinals needing to beat the 49ers, and for the Saints to lose to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The other 2 divisions in the NFC are easier to figure out. In the NFC North, the Green Bay Packers go to Chicago to play the Bears, and the winner of the game wins the division, while the loser misses the playoffs entirely. The NFC East is in a similar position. The Philadelphia Eagles go to Dallas to play the Cowboys. The winner is the division champion, and the loser doesn’t make the playoffs.
The American Football Conference is less complicated with one game left in the regular season. All 4 division winners have been determined. The Denver Broncos won the AFC West, the New England Patriots won the East, the Cincinnati Bengals won the North, and the Indianapolis Colts won the South division. The top wild card is the Kansas City Chiefs, but there is a mad scramble for the other wild card spot. The Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, San Diego Chargers, and Pittsburgh Steelers are all still alive to claim the 6th position in the AFC playoffs.
It looks bleak for the Arizona Cardinals’ chances to make the NFC playoffs. The Saints would have to lose at home to the Buccaneers, and the Cardinals need to beat the 49ers at home. Arizona could end the season at 11-5 and miss the playoffs. Only the 2008 Patriots have finished with a record that good, and not make the playoffs.
In the NFC North showdown, it’s still not known if Packer quarterback Aaron Rodgers will finally return from his broken collarbone. If not, it will be difficult to beat the Bears in Chicago, unless they play as bad as they did in their Sunday night 54-11 loss to the Eagles. I think the Packers will win the game and the division if Rodgers plays, although backup quarterback Matt Flynn has played well for the most part.
The Cowboys have also lost their quarterback, Tony Romo. He is out for the season with a herniated disk. This really makes it tough for them to beat the Eagles, who have the quarterback with the highest passer rating in Nick Foles, and the leading rusher in the NFL, LeSean McCoy. Dallas has the worst defense in the NFL this year.
The last playoff spot in the AFC is not easy to pick. Miami is in the best position, and is playing at home against the New York Jets, but they were just shut out by the 6-9 Buffalo Bills 19-0. I think the Ravens will lose to the Bengals, so they will be out. The Steelers need all 3 of these teams to lose, and I don’t think that will happen, so they won’t make it either. The Chargers have to beat the Chiefs at home, but the Chiefs are already in the playoffs, and may rest some players. I think Miami and San Diego will both win, so the Dolphins will earn the last remaining spot in the AFC playoffs.
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