All articles tagged with #playoff race
With two weeks remaining, schedule strength can shape the playoff chase as much as performance. The piece flags three teams with favorable finishes—White Sox, Mariners, and Blue Jays—and three with tougher routes—Red Sox, Yankees, and Phillies—noting that tiebreakers, division outcomes, and wild-card seeding could hinge on late-September results more than wins alone.
The Red Sox are embracing a long-game approach with four weeks left, highlighted by Trevor Story’s 10th‑inning walk-off against the Mariners and Roman Anthony scoring the tying run on Ceddanne Rafaela’s sacrifice fly, all while maintaining strong playoff odds in a crowded AL wild-card race.
Rowan Kavner’s MLB Power Rankings evaluate every team's September slate, highlighting how the closing month could shape the playoff picture. With the Brewers, Dodgers and Braves holding strong NL leads and the AL races tightening among Astros, Rangers, Guardians, Orioles and Blue Jays, the piece lists each club’s upcoming matchups and flags teams facing tougher road trips or clearer paths to a postseason berth, emphasizing how schedule strength can tilt who makes the playoffs.
Brewers remain No. 1 with four weeks left, the Rays surge to No. 2 and the Dodgers slip in CBS Sports' MLB Power Rankings. The AL features a Rays-Yankees dynamic in the East, a White Sox-led Central with the Guardians nipping at 3½ games back, and a tight West led by the Astros as Mariners and Rangers stay in reach; Yankees/Red Sox are solid wild-card bets with the Guardians, Blue Jays and Orioles in pursuit. In the NL, the Braves appear set to win the East, the Brewers dominate the Central, the Cubs and Phillies are positioned for wild-card spots, and the Diamondbacks-Padres race for the final berth heats up, with the Mariners enjoying the easiest remaining schedule among contenders. Biggest movers include the Astros and Cubs cracking the top five.
A projection model names the Los Angeles Rams as the NFL’s top team and sees the Seattle Seahawks improving but not dethroning L.A., while the NFC remains competitive with several 10-win teams projected. The Lions are favored in the North, the East and South show mixed outlooks, and the Panthers are forecast for a division-worst effort, all underscoring a crowded NFC race.
USA TODAY Sports breaks down one key preseason question for each Top 25 team in the Coaches Poll, highlighting how coaching hires, line play, and emerging players could decide playoff and national-title chances—from Ohio State's NFL-style coordinator hires to Georgia's inexperienced receivers and Missouri's tougher schedule.
Detroit fell to 10th in the East after a 3-2 home loss to Ottawa, wasting a prime opportunity in the tight playoff race even as Dylan Larkin returned to score; the Wings outshot the Senators but couldn’t complete the rally, leaving them with 11 games to gain ground and a need to regain momentum.
With 24 days left in the regular season and 15 playoff-implication games on Tuesday, the NHL playoff picture remains tight: Columbus can move into second in the Metropolitan Division with a win over Philadelphia, led by Zach Werenski’s 75 points, while Pittsburgh sits just behind as Sidney Crosby returns from injury and Evgeni Malkin is day to day; the schedule and last night’s Senators win over the Rangers shape seeds across both conferences.
The Detroit Red Wings and Ottawa Senators are competing for higher placement in the Atlantic Division, with Detroit currently leading but facing challenges from Ottawa, which has recent playoff experience and a positive goal differential. Experts debate the likelihood of each team finishing higher, considering recent performance, goal differentials, and upcoming matchups.
The Ravens and Steelers face a crucial Sunday night game with the winner claiming the AFC North title and securing a playoff spot, while the loser faces elimination. The game features key storylines including Lamar Jackson's return, Derrick Henry's performance, and the impact of missing players like DK Metcalf. The outcome will determine playoff seeding and add another chapter to their historic rivalry.
The Carolina Panthers will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 18 without Tershawn Wharton, as they prepare for a crucial game that could determine their playoff fate. The team has elevated players from the practice squad and is focusing on key matchups and injury updates, with the game scheduled to be broadcast on ESPN.
The Buffalo Sabres aim to set a franchise record with their 11th straight win against the Columbus Blue Jackets, in a crucial game for their playoff hopes, while Columbus looks to bounce back with key players returning from injury.
The article previews the Week 18 NFL game between the 49ers and Seahawks, highlighting the significance of the matchup for the NFC playoff seeding, with a focus on key players, team strategies, and recent performances. It emphasizes Brock Purdy's rising form, the strengths and challenges of both defenses, and predicts a close game with the 49ers narrowly winning to secure the No. 1 seed.
The Carolina Panthers are on the brink of clinching an NFC South title and a playoff spot with a win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, focusing on key game strategies such as exploiting deep passing, utilizing Bryce Young's running ability, and controlling field position through special teams. The game will also feature tactical adjustments like potential defensive wrinkles and special teams plays, making it a critical and closely watched matchup.
The article provides insights into key Week 18 NFL matchups that will influence the playoff picture, focusing on the Buccaneers vs. Panthers, 49ers vs. Seahawks, and Ravens vs. Steelers, highlighting strategic matchups, player performances, and defensive efficiencies.