2024 NFL Playoff Picture: 5 teams on the verge of elimination entering Week 15 ft. Dallas Cowboys

The final bye week is done, and the NFL is entering the final four weeks of the 2024 season - the playoff push.

If the postseason were to start now, these would be the participants:

NFC Division Winners	AFC Division Winners
1) Detroit Lions	1) Kansas City Chiefs
2) Philadelphia Eagles	2) Buffalo Bills
3) Seattle Seahawks	3) Pittsburgh Steelers
4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers	4) Houston Texans

NFC Wild Cards	AFC Wild Cards
5) Minnesota Vikings	5) Baltimore Ravens
6) Green Bay Packers	6) Los Angeles Chargers
7) Washington Commanders	7) Denver Broncos

There are five teams who are still mathematically in the hunt but need to pull off miracles to do so:

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#5 Chicago Bears (4-9)

Chicago Bears v San Francisco 49ers - Source: Getty

It was not that long ago that many thought that the Chicago Bears would help the NFC North accomplish something unprecedented: an entire division reaching the playoffs.

However, now, that promise has all but disappeared amidst a tough seven-loss streak and the first midseason firing of a coach in franchise history. Caleb Williams must be watching in agony and envy as Jayden Daniels, the man selected after him, creates an award-worthy turnaround for the Washington Commanders.

#4 Indianapolis Colts (6-7)

Indianpolis Colts v New England Patriots - Source: Getty

Remember when Anthony Richardson was benched for Joe Flacco? They immediately regretted it as soon as the former Super Bowl MVP threw his first of three picks in two games.

Now the sophomore is back, and they couldn't have been happier. Riding a 2-1 stretch in their last three games before the bye week, they must come out of it with a mantra: no room for error.

#3 San Francisco 49ers (6-7)

Chicago Bears v San Francisco 49ers - Source: Getty

It wasn't supposed to be like this for the San Francisco 49ers.

During the offseason, they were thought to remain Super Bowl contenders, boasting a stacked roster that could take up nearly the NFC's entire Pro Bowl roster. Instead, debilitating injuries, more particularly to offensive playmakers Christian McCaffrey and Brandon Aiyuk, have hurt them, as well as some poor play.

Not exactly how Kyle Shanahan envisions his tenure in Santa Clara ending, assuming that those trade rumors around the aforementioned Bears become more substantiated.

#2 Miami Dolphins (6-7)

New York Jets v Miami Dolphins - Source: Getty

The Miami Dolphins were once said to have the fastest offense in the entire NFL. The three-headed rushing trio of Raheem Mostert, DeVon Achane and Jaylen Wright? Blazingly fast wideouts Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle? Jonnu Smith, a yards-after-catch master among tight ends?

Instead, they were stifled, slowed down. It didn't help when Tua Tagovailoa suffered a scary concussion against the Buffalo Bills, their eternal tormentors. They have rebounded somewhat with Tagovailoa back under center, but they still have much to do.

#1 Dallas Cowboys (5-8)

New York Giants v Dallas Cowboys - Source: Getty

The Dallas Cowboys' regression in 2024 is the stuff many media outlets love to discuss.

Dak Prescott suffering a hamstring injury that has since proven season-ending? A tough five-game losing streak that included home routs against the Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles and the Houston Texans? These catastrophes have come to define their season so far.

Of course, there's the fact that coach Mike McCarthy will be a free agent soon. Unless he can right the ship, he may have coached his last game come Week 18.