All articles tagged with #playoff spot
The Boston Celtics became the first team in the NBA to clinch a playoff spot after defeating the Phoenix Suns and with the Philadelphia 76ers losing to the Milwaukee Bucks. With 16 games remaining, the Celtics are now aiming for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference and are focused on making a strong playoff run after falling short in the NBA Finals in 2022.
The San Francisco 49ers can clinch their second consecutive NFC West title by winning or tying against the Arizona Cardinals, or if the Los Angeles Rams lose or tie against the Washington Commanders. The 49ers have been on a hot streak, with five consecutive double-digit wins and a 10-game winning streak against NFC West opponents. The Cardinals, with quarterback Kyler Murray back from injury, present a tougher challenge than when the teams last met in Week 4.
The Green Bay Packers have climbed 12 spots in the USA Today NFL power rankings after back-to-back wins against the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs. Their latest victory, a 27-19 win over the Chiefs, moved them up to No. 13, their second-highest ranking of the season. With a 16-0 record in December, head coach Matt LaFleur has the best December winning percentage in league history. The Packers currently hold the No. 7 seed in the NFC and have a favorable schedule with four games against teams ranked No. 20 or lower in their final five games.
Michael McDowell secured his second NASCAR Cup Series playoff appearance by winning the Verizon 200 on the Indy road course, holding off Chase Elliott. McDowell took the lead early in the race and maintained his position for most of the 85-lap event, capitalizing on track position and skillful driving. The race featured minimal cautions, allowing McDowell to dominate and secure the victory.