All articles tagged with #division title
The Jacksonville Jaguars clinched the AFC South division title with a dominant 41-7 victory over the Tennessee Titans in Week 18, finishing the season with a 13-4 record and showcasing strong performances from Trevor Lawrence and the team, including record-setting field goals and a resilient defense.
The Chicago Bears clinched the NFC North division title for the first time since 2018, securing a playoff spot and positioning themselves as a top contender with a strong season under first-year coach Ben Johnson, highlighted by a significant turnaround in their offense and defense.
The Denver Broncos clinched their first AFC West division title since 2015 after the Chargers' loss, securing a playoff spot and the potential for home-field advantage in the AFC playoffs, with more goals including securing the top seed and a first-round bye.
The Philadelphia Eagles clinched their second consecutive NFC East title with a 29-18 win over the Washington Commanders, marking the first back-to-back division wins since 2004, and are now in the NFL playoffs for the fifth straight year, with a strong chance to secure a top seed.
The Detroit Lions' victory over the Green Bay Packers significantly bolstered their position in the NFC standings, securing their playoff spot and enhancing their odds of winning the NFC North and the No. 1 seed. The Lions are now mathematically in the playoffs, with their division title odds ranging from 90% to 97% across various models. Their chances of securing the NFC's top seed have also increased to between 80% and 86%. Meanwhile, the Packers' playoff chances remain high, but their division title hopes are nearly extinguished.
Aidan Hutchinson, who played high school football near the Lions' training facility, understands the significance of winning the NFC North division title for the franchise and its fans. Hutchinson, a key player on the Lions' defense, believes that the team is motivated and excited about the opportunity to achieve this goal. While the defense has shown improvement, Hutchinson believes there is still more to come as they push for the postseason and the division crown. Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn is pleased with the recent performance of the defense and is focused on winning the division before aiming for the Super Bowl.
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff understands the significance of winning the NFC North division title for the city, acknowledging the long wait for success. While the team doesn't carry the weight of past seasons, Goff recognizes the importance for the community. However, he emphasizes focusing on the present and controlling what they can in the upcoming game against the Vikings. Goff believes winning the division would be meaningful in itself, without dwelling on the magnitude of the drought. The Lions could secure a playoff spot if the Rams lose on Thursday, but they still need to take care of business for the NFC North title.
The Detroit Lions' playoff ticket remains on hold after the Seattle Seahawks defeated the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night. However, the loss opens up a viable path for the Lions to secure the No. 2 seed in the conference and potentially earn a second playoff home game if they win their final three games. The Lions have a better than 99% chance of qualifying for the playoffs after earning their 10th win last Saturday. Their next game against the Minnesota Vikings is crucial as a win would not only clinch a playoff spot but also end their 30-year streak without a division title.
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton is focused on winning the AFC West division title rather than just sneaking into the playoffs. The Kansas City Chiefs, who have won the division for seven consecutive years, are currently vulnerable, having lost two straight games. While a division title is not highly likely for the Broncos, they are only one game behind the Chiefs and have a chance to compete. The Broncos have improved significantly in recent weeks, with a 5-1 record in their last six games. Several outlets give them a decent chance of making the playoffs, but they will need to win their remaining four games. The AFC playoff race is tight, with multiple teams sporting the same record. The Broncos' approach is simple: win the last four games and secure a playoff spot.
The Houston Astros secured their sixth American League West title in seven seasons with an 8-1 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks in their regular-season finale. The Astros watched the out-of-town scoreboard as they needed the Seattle Mariners to beat the Texas Rangers to clinch the division title, and when the Mariners won, Houston celebrated. The Astros finished with the same record as the Rangers but owned the tiebreaker, earning them the No. 2 seed in the AL playoffs and a bye to the AL Division Series. They will face the winner of the Wild Card Series between the Minnesota Twins and Toronto Blue Jays.
The Milwaukee Brewers clinched the NL Central title for the third time in six seasons despite a 4-1 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals, thanks to a come-from-behind win by the Atlanta Braves over the Chicago Cubs. The Braves overcame a six-run deficit to beat the Cubs, with a fielding error by Seiya Suzuki leading to the winning run. The Brewers had already secured at least a wild-card berth but missed chances to clinch the division earlier. The team celebrated with their fans and rookie Sal Frelick expressed his excitement.
The Baltimore Orioles are gearing up for their final six games of the regular season, starting with a two-game series against the Washington Nationals. If they win three out of these six games, they will secure the division title. Winning the division would give the team a chance to rest and recover before the playoffs. Additionally, if they win three games, they will become the first 100-win team in Camden Yards history. The Orioles are also aiming to preserve their no-sweeps streak through the season.
The Atlanta Braves clinched their sixth consecutive National League East title with a 4-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. Despite facing injuries to key players, the Braves have maintained the best record in MLB and are four wins away from a second straight 100-win season. With a powerful lineup and standout performances from players like Austin Riley, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Matt Olson, the Braves are aiming for a deep postseason run and hope to recreate the euphoria of their 2021 World Series win.