San Francisco 49ers

With four weeks remaining in the 2022 NFL regular season, five teams can clinch a playoff berth by the end of Week 15.

The San Francisco 49ers can become the first team to claim a division title if they defeat the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night. The Kansas City Chiefs and Minnesota Vikings can win their divisions with a victory or with losses by the Los Angeles Chargers (vs. Tennessee Titans) and Detroit Lions (vs. New York Jets).

The Buffalo Bills will clinch a playoff berth with a win over the Miami Dolphins. The Dallas Cowboys will make the playoffs with a victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars or with losses by the Seahawks and either the Lions or Washington Commanders.

Week 15 @NFL clinching scenarios. pic.twitter.com/08uyT8JI5W

— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) December 14, 2022

The Philadelphia Eagles, owners of the league's best record at 12-1, were the first team to clinch a playoff berth. They locked up their spot with Sunday's 48-22 victory over the New York Giants.

Odds are strongly tilted toward the Eagles winning the NFC East, but the Cowboys are making them work for it. Dallas' 10-3 record is tied with the Vikings for the second-best mark in the NFC.

The Eagles have a 26-17 victory over the Cowboys earlier this season. The two NFC East rivals will meet for the second time on Christmas Eve in a game that could swing the balance of power in the division to Dallas if the Cowboys beat the Jaguars and Philadelphia stumbles on Sunday against the Chicago Bears.

The Chiefs have the easiest path to clinching a postseason berth this weekend. Their opponent, the Houston Texans, have the NFL's worst record (1-11-1). Houston did play well in a 27-23 loss to the Cowboys in Week 14.

Kansas City is coming off an uninspiring 34-28 victory over the Denver Broncos on Sunday. Patrick Mahomes threw a season-high three interceptions, though he also had 352 passing yards and three touchdowns.

The NFC West race seemed like it was going to be a battle all season. The Seahawks have been a pleasant surprise, while the 49ers have had to navigate losing Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo to injuries.

Instead, the 49ers have rattled off six consecutive wins, and Seattle has lost three of its last four games. A Seahawks victory would move them within one game of the Niners atop the division standings.

Despite losing to the Lions on Sunday, the Vikings have built up such a big cushion in the division that they would have to lose out and Detroit would have to win out for the NFC North to become a race.

The Dolphins-Bills game has lost some of its luster because of Miami's recent struggles on offense. Miami already holds a victory over the Bills, and sweeping the regular-season series would put pressure on Buffalo in its quest to win the AFC East for a third consecutive year.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel is expected to be out for "threeish weeks" while he recovers from knee and ankle injuries, head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters Tuesday.

The 49ers said Monday that the 26-year-old suffered a sprained MCL in his left knee as well as a sprained left ankle. They added that he was expected to return during the regular season.

Samuel was injured in San Francisco's Week 14 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when he carried the ball up the middle and landed awkwardly after being tackled. He was visibly emotional as he was carted off the field.

The South Carolina product this season has recorded 54 catches for 612 yards and two touchdowns while adding 228 rushing yards and three scores on 41 carries.

Samuel established himself as one of the most productive offensive players in the NFL last season, racking up 1,770 yards from scrimmage and 14 touchdowns on his way to earning first-team All-Pro honors and his first Pro Bowl selection.

The 49ers rewarded him with a three-year, $71.6 million contract extension with $58.1 million guaranteed in July.

While he hasn't put up those astronomical numbers, he has been a major part of San Francisco's success. The 49ers are the hottest team in the NFL with a six-game winning streak heading into Thursday night's game against the Seattle Seahawks.

Without Samuel in the lineup, Brandon Aiyuk will be San Francisco's top option on the outside. Running back Christian McCaffrey and tight end George Kittle could also get more targets in the passing game.

Get ready for a four-week sprint.

The byes are officially in the rearview mirror, the contenders have started to separate themselves, and there are only four games remaining for teams to make one final postseason push.

With that in mind, here is a look at the updated NFL standings and tiebreaker scenarios following the New England Patriots' win over the Arizona Cardinals on Monday Night Football.

---

AFC

1. Buffalo Bills, 10-3 (tiebreaker over KC because of head-to-head)

2. Kansas City Chiefs, 10-3

3. Baltimore Ravens, 9-4 (tiebreaker over CIN because of head-to-head)

4. Tennessee Titans, 7-6

5. Cincinnati Bengals, 9-4

6. Miami Dolphins, 8-5

7. New England Patriots, 7-6 (tiebreaker over LAC because of AFC win percentage and NYJ because of head-to-head)

8. Los Angeles Chargers, 7-6 (tiebreaker over NYJ because of AFC win percentage)

9. New York Jets, 7-6

10. Jacksonville Jaguars, 5-8 (tiebreaker over LV and CLE because of AFC win percentage)

11. Las Vegas Raiders, 5-8 (tiebreaker over CLE because of AFC win percentage)

12. Cleveland Browns, 5-8 (tiebreaker over PIT because of head-to-head)

13. Pittsburgh Steelers, 5-8

14. Indianapolis Colts, 4-8-1

15. Denver Broncos, 3-10

16. Houston Texans, 1-11-1

---

NFC

1. Philadelphia Eagles, 12-1

2. Minnesota Vikings, 10-3

3. San Francisco 49ers, 9-4

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 6-7

5. Dallas Cowboys, 10-3

6. Washington Commanders, 7-5-1 (tiebreaker over NYG because of win percentage against NFC East)

7. New York Giants, 7-5-1

8. Seattle Seahawks, 7-6

9. Detroit Lions, 6-7

10. Green Bay Packers, 5-8 (tiebreaker over CAR because of strength of victory)

11. Carolina Panthers, 5-8 (tiebreaker over ATL because of win percentage against NFC South)

12. Atlanta Falcons, 5-8

13. Arizona Cardinals, 4-9 (tiebreaker over NO because of head-to-head and LAR because of win percentage in common games)

14. New Orleans Saints, 4-9 (tiebreaker over LAR because of head-to-head)

15. Los Angeles Rams, 4-9

16. Chicago Bears, 3-10

---

Fans won't have to wait long for one of the games to watch in Week 15.

The San Francisco 49ers hit the road to face the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night in a critical NFC West showdown for both sides. San Francisco continues to fend off injuries and remain in the Super Bowl picture, while Seattle is just outside of a wild-card spot and in need of a bounce-back win.

While quarterbacks Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo are both sidelined with long-term injuries, Brock Purdy is the man of the hour after guiding the 49ers to victories over the Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The rookie has completed 67.2 percent of his passes for 461 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions this year and is doing an ideal job of simply getting the ball into the playmakers' hands and letting them work.

One of those weapons will likely be out after Deebo Samuel suffered an ankle injury against Tampa Bay, but Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk and George Kittle will look to stretch the visitors' winning streak to seven and hand Seattle a fourth loss in the last five games.

This is close to a must-win for those Seahawks considering they are at the Kansas City Chiefs the following game and now looking up at the New York Giants and Washington Commanders. They also have a chance to gain some ground on those teams since they are playing each other in a key Week 15 rematch.

New York and Washington tied in Week 13 but are headed in opposite directions.

The Giants are an ugly 1-4-1 in their last five games after a 6-1 start, while the Commanders are 6-1-1 in their last seven after a 1-4 start. If Washington can keep that momentum rolling at home, it will have the key head-to-head tiebreaker over its division rival and the inside track on a playoff spot.

Elsewhere, the Dolphins' playoff spot is somewhat more precarious following a loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.

They are just one game ahead of the Chargers, New York Jets and New England Patriots in a race for the two wild-card spots behind the Cincinnati Bengals and have the unenviable task of facing Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills on the road in Week 15.

Miami already defeated the Bills in Week 3, but this time could be quite different in potentially snowy conditions against a Super Bowl contender that has won four in a row.

Another loss could have a Miami team with championship hopes of its own fighting for a final postseason spot after such a promising start to the campaign.

Not a lot went right for Tom Brady during the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 35-7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, and then he had to relive his interception to Dre Greenlaw when the linebacker asked him to sign the ball in the aftermath.

"It was s--t for me, to be honest," the quarterback said on his Let's Go! podcast (h/t Nick Wagoner of ESPN) while laughing. "It was complete s--t. But I try to be a gentleman. No, actually, I mean, look, it was a great play he made. I'm happy he's got the ball. I wish I didn't throw it, but I'm trying to be a good sport. I can be a pretty bad sport. In the moment when they get me in the right frame of mind, I'm actually a good sport."

Brady may not have loved it even if he had some fun with it, but it certainly was a highlight for Greenlaw:

Class act ✍️ pic.twitter.com/sw7Egm9vYs

— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) December 12, 2022

Tom Brady made Dre Greenlaw’s day complete by autographing his interception ball. Great stuff.pic.twitter.com/Lv7sPTfp5j

— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) December 12, 2022

San Francisco has a number of injuries and is down to rookie Brock Purdy at quarterback, but that didn't stop the NFC West leaders from steamrolling Brady and Co.

The 49ers defense flummoxed the all-time great throughout the contest, and Tashaun Gipson Sr. also notched an interception.

But he didn't get the autograph that Greenlaw did.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel has a chance to return to the field sooner than expected after his scary injury in Sunday's win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

According to ESPN's Nick Wagoner, Samuel suffered an MCL sprain in his knee as well as an ankle sprain, but the team expects him to be back at some point during the regular season.

The 26-year-old has caught 54 passes for 612 yards and two touchdowns. He's also rushed for 228 yards and three more scores on 41 carries.

On Sunday, Samuel went down on a three-yard run with just over five minutes remaining in the second quarter of his team's 35-7 win over the Buccaneers.

Deebo Samuel is down and slow to get up after the last play after what appears to be a knee injury. pic.twitter.com/uVPZJQ1VV6

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 11, 2022

Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area set the scene.

Deebo Samuel was up, but in a great deal of discomfort, he went back down to the ground. Now, the cart is coming out for him.

— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) December 11, 2022

He was carted off the field and greeted by many of his teammates as he left.

Prayers up for Deebo 🙏 pic.twitter.com/HMcAYSxocr

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 11, 2022

After the game, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan provided an update on Samuel's status, with Ian Rapoport of NFL Network providing context.

#49ers coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters that WR Deebo Samuel most likely suffered a high-ankle sprain. If the MRI confirms that thought, those are generally 4-6 week injuries. The first round of the playoffs is 5 weeks from today.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 12, 2022

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk also cited a source who said the injury was nothing major.

Per source on Deebo Samuel: “Ankle twisted up but doesn’t seem to be major.”

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) December 12, 2022

In 2021, Samuel was one of the most productive players in all of football, amassing 1,770 yards from scrimmage and 14 touchdowns. His efforts helped guide the 49ers to the NFC Championship Game.

The former South Carolina star parlayed that campaign into a three-year, $71.6 million contract extension with $58.1 million guaranteed.

Samuel hasn't been as productive in 2022, but he's still done plenty for the first-place 49ers and will be sorely missed. He was notably enjoying an excellent game with 64 total yards and a touchdown against Tampa Bay before departing.

The 49ers don't have a shortage of options even without Samuel. Running back Christian McCaffrey and tight end George Kittle could see more usage. Brandon Aiyuk should now be the team's No. 1 wide receiver while Samuel is out.

Wideouts Jauan Jennings and Ray-Ray McCloud III could see more opportunities as well.

The ongoing courtship between the Dallas Cowboys and free-agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. appears to have reached its end, as the Cowboys are reportedly bringing in a veteran pass-catcher.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Jane Slater reported that Dallas reached an agreement with receiver T.Y. Hilton on Monday. The 33-year-old had played 10 years with the Indianapolis Colts and was a four-time Pro Bowl selection.

The addition of Hilton gives the Cowboys the extra offensive weapon they need as the playoffs approach. But where does that leave Beckham?

Here are the top remaining landing spots for the 30-year-old now that Dallas is likely no longer in the running.

---

Buffalo Bills

Beckham undoubtedly wants to join a contender to win another championship as he did with the Los Angeles Rams last season in Super Bowl LVI. He should look no further than the top team in the AFC.

The Buffalo Bills remained in the No. 1 spot after Sunday's gritty win over the New York Jets. At 10-3, Buffalo is one of the favorites to compete for a Super Bowl title this year, but the team could still use another target for star quarterback Josh Allen.

The Bills have one of the best receivers in the league in Stefon Diggs, who leads the team with 94 receptions, 1,239 yards and 10 touchdowns. However, no other player on the team has 40 catches. Allen's over-reliance on Diggs can come back to haunt Buffalo if teams focus their defense on him.

Adding Beckham to the mix would help take some attention off Diggs. For what it's worth, last month Beckham named the Bills as one of four teams he'd be interested in joining after he completed his recovery from a torn ACL.

---

San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers are the hottest team in the NFL, earning their sixth straight victory on Sunday with a blowout over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, star receiver Deebo Samuel went down with an ankle injury during the game, putting his status in question for the next few weeks.

Beckham could be the perfect option to fill in for Samuel if he misses extended time. If both are able to be on the field together, it would add a different dimension to an already dynamic 49ers offense.

San Francisco lost veteran quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo for at least the remainder of the regular season because of a broken foot. Rookie signal-caller Brock Purdy proved he can steer the ship in the interim with a three-touchdown performance (two passing, one rushing) against the Bucs.

The 49ers could look to add Beckham as another reliable target for the seventh-round pick as they charge toward the postseason.

---

Kansas City Chiefs

After losing star wide receiver Tyreek Hill this offseason, the Kansas City Chiefs have had to adjust on offense. However, perennial MVP candidate Patrick Mahomes still has the Chiefs on the cusp of a seventh straight AFC West title.

While Mahomes has been able to make up for Kansas City's deficiencies throughout the regular season, cracks have begun to show. In Sunday's win over the Denver Broncos, he threw three touchdown passes but also had a season-high three interceptions.

The Chiefs had been hoping free-agent additions JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Scantling would be able to make up for the absence of Hill. They've combined to reach the end zone just four times through 13 games. All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce remains the top target in Kansas City's passing attack.

Beckham would provide Mahomes with another option in the explosive Chiefs offense. He could also open things up for Smith-Schuster and Valdes-Scantling. The three-time Pro Bowler would likely have a ton of fun playing in Andy Reid's scheme.

---

New York Giants

It's never too late to come home. In Beckham's case, a reunion with the team he started his NFL career with would come at a perfect time.

At 7-5-1, the New York Giants are clinging to the seventh seed in the NFC and could surely use a boost as the regular season winds down. New York is 0-3-1 in its last four games and has dealt with injuries to multiple receivers throughout the year.

Darius Slayton leads the Giants with 608 receiving yards, while Richie James leads the team's wide receivers with 38 receptions and three touchdowns. Quarterback Daniel Jones ranks near the bottom of the league with 194.9 passing yards per game. Clearly, New York's air attack could use an injection of energy.

Beckham has appeared to be open to rejoining the Giants, and he had a "good dinner" with head coach Brian Daboll earlier this month. A return to New York would give him the opportunity to be a key contributor to the team's push for the playoffs.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers suffered a disappointing 35-7 loss against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. After the game, Bucs quarterback Tom Brady didn't mince words when assessing Tampa Bay's performance.

"They kicked our ass," Brady told reporters. "That's just the reality of this sport. Every time you take the field, you have the opportunity to get your ass kicked or to kick ass. Obviously we were on the wrong end of it today."

The Buccaneers failed to put up any points in the first half of Sunday's game. The team's lone touchdown came on a deflected pass that landed in the hands of receiver Russell Gage.

Brady wasn't effective at all against the stout 49ers defense. He finished with 253 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions, which came on back-to-back possessions at the beginning of the third quarter. The 45-year-old completed 34 passes on 55 attempts, his second successive game attempting 50 or more passes and fifth this season.

Even more concerning for Tampa Bay was the defensive performance, as the team's once-well-respected unit was dominated by a San Francisco offense led by rookie quarterback Brock Purdy. The 2022 seventh-round pick threw for 185 yards and two touchdowns with no turnovers. The Bucs also surrendered a total of 203 yards on the ground.

Despite being just 2-2 in their past four games, the Bucs maintain a one-game lead for first place in the NFC South with a 6-7 record. The Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons (both 5-8) are not far behind. The Bucs will play both teams one more time this season.

If Tampa Bay can maintain its position, it will be in line for a home game in the postseason. The Bucs will look to put forth a better effort when they host the Cincinnati Bengals (9-4) next Sunday.

In his first NFL start, San Francisco 49ers rookie quarterback Brock Purdy completed 16 of 21 passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns to lead his team to a 35-7 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.

The former Iowa State star, who was the last pick of April's NFL draft, added a rushing touchdown as well.

Purdy is calling signals for Jimmy Garoppolo, who suffered a broken left foot early in the 49ers' 33-17 win over the Miami Dolphins last Sunday. The rookie walked onto the field in relief and completed 25 of 37 passes for 210 yards, two touchdowns and one pick.

He now leads a 9-4 49ers team with a two-game edge (plus the head-to-head tiebreaker) over the Seattle Seahawks for the NFC West lead. With Garoppolo likely out for the season, it appears Purdy will be leading San Francisco into the playoffs in hopes of earning the franchise's first Super Bowl since 1995.

His performance Sunday provides hope that he will be up to the task. Purdy made some big plays, including a two-yard touchdown run for a 13-0 edge, an impressive toss to Deebo Samuel after evading pressure and a 27-yard TD lob to Christian McCaffrey.

Run it in, rook! @BrockPurdy13

📺 #TBvsSF on FOX
📱 NFL+ // https://t.co/d2FDeaE8pp pic.twitter.com/pactkdf5aw

— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) December 11, 2022

Brock out here ballin'

📺 #TBvsSF on FOX
📱 NFL+ // https://t.co/d2FDeaE8pp pic.twitter.com/1zjsUaH2IO

— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) December 11, 2022

That's a Purdy good throw and catch 🔥#ProBowlVote @CMC_22

📺 #TBvsSF on FOX
📱 NFL+ // https://t.co/d2FDeaE8pp pic.twitter.com/HeDUnTWVZq

— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) December 11, 2022

Purdy also found Brandon Aiyuk for a 32-yard score en route to a 28-0 halftime lead.

Aiyuk kidding me?! 🤯#ProBowlVote @THE2ERA

📺 #TBvsSF on FOX
📱 NFL+ // https://t.co/d2FDeaE8pp pic.twitter.com/QNPqo4spjm

— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) December 11, 2022

The 49ers were on cruise control in the second half, so much so that starters got to rest in the fourth quarter.

But the story of the day was Purdy, who soundly defeated 45-year-old and seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady and the Bucs. San Francisco is now on a six-game win streak, and Twitter was elated over the rookie's performance.

Brock Purdy my goodness! Absolutely fearless!

— Joe Fann (@Joe_Fann) December 11, 2022

Brock Purdy truly doesn't look phased by any of it... he keeps it himself for the TD 14-0 #49ers

— Bridget Condon (@BridgetCondon_) December 11, 2022

Whispers… I might like Brock more than Jimmy G.

Just saying.

— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) December 11, 2022

https://twitter.com/NicoleAuerbach/status/1602063394529591303

https://twitter.com/MattLombardoNFL/status/1602066842134126593

Brock Purdy is slinging it man. Crazy.

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) December 11, 2022

Hey man… Brock Purdy can play football

— Marcel Louis-Jacques (@Marcel_LJ) December 11, 2022

Brock Purdy my goodness! Absolutely fearless!

— Joe Fann (@Joe_Fann) December 11, 2022

Brock Purdy out here trying to be 2001 Tom Brady…in front of Tom Brady. pic.twitter.com/8DRVZ7bEKv

— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) December 11, 2022

Complete or not, the Buccaneers may want to reconsider their "let's blitz Brock Purdy up the middle" strategy.

He is roasting them mercilessly

— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) December 11, 2022

Brock Purdy balling - everyone saw it coming.

I can’t think of a better prep than going against the starting defense of the 49ers every single day in practice.

— Kurt Benkert (@KurtBenkert) December 11, 2022

Is Brock Purdy…… “Him”?

— Keiana Martin (@KeianaMartinTV) December 11, 2022

My 🐐 pic.twitter.com/8xHX9zCVkq

— br_betting (@br_betting) December 11, 2022

Wait a minute?! Is Purdy THAT GUY!?!!?! 🤯🤯🤯
pic.twitter.com/yRyFBP7QmI

— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) December 11, 2022

San Francisco can clinch the NFC West title Thursday evening with a road win over the Seattle Seahawks.