NFL Standings 2014: Will San Francisco 49ers, Green Bay Packers Miss Playoffs?
The 2014 NFL regular season still has 13 more games left to play, and already there have been some head-scratchers sitting at 0-3 and 1-2 such as the New Orleans Saints.
The two biggest disappointing teams so far are the San Francisco 49ers and the Green Bay Packers.
Both the 49ers and Packers have been top tier teams in recent years, and both did make the playoffs last season. Unfortunately for both teams, they are currently sitting at 1-2 after three weeks with alarming holes.
Both the 49ers and Packers are ranked last in their division in wins. Latin Post dissects both teams and sees who is in bigger trouble:
Green Bay Packers
Since 2009, the Packers have had double digit victories, including a Super Bowl season in 2010. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is considered one of the best in the league, but the Packers aren't off to a great start. In Weeks 1 and 3, they lost against the Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks, scoring a combined 23 points.
Running back Eddie Lacy, who won the Offensive Rookie of the Year last season, is off to a rough start. Lacy suffered a concussion early in the season and has just 113 rushing yards this preseason. The offensive line isn't doing a great job blocking for Rodgers, although he is a mobile quarterback. The defense hasn't looked very good either.
One of the biggest things to worry about for the Packers is their receivers. Other than Jordy Nelson, the leading receiver for the Packers is Randall Cobb with just 126 yards. The days of throwing to Greg Jennings on one side and Donald Driver on the other are in the past.
Not all is lost for the Packers. They still haven't played a divisional home game, and they have won the NFC North the past three years.
San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers and head coach Jim Harbaugh have made it to the last three NFC Championship games. The team did make it to the Super Bowl two years ago, but lost. The 49ers are now sitting at 1-2, which is last place in the NFC West behind the Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks and St. Louis Rams.
The 49ers won their opener against the Dallas Cowboys, but have lost their last two games to the Cardinals and Chicago Bears. The second half has been a nightmare for this 49ers team so far. Quarterback Colin Kaepernick continues to force balls for interceptions, costing his team points.
Similar to the Packers, the 49ers running game hasn't been impressive. Veteran back Frank Gore is showing signs of age and he has just 10 more rushing yards than Kaepernick does. The losses of NaVorro Bowman and Aldon Smith are starting to add up for this 49ers defense.
The 49ers play in a very difficult division with the Super Bowl champion Seahawks. They also still have to face the Denver Broncos, who beat them in the preseason 34-0. Even if this 49ers team can't win the division, they have shown they are capable of winning playoff games on the road.
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