NFL Playoff Picture 2025: Cowboys, 49ers Eliminated; Updated Bracket, Standings

The Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers were expected to be among the top contenders to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LIX, but the 2024 season has not played out how either team had hoped.

Following the Washington Commanders' 36-33 upset win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, both the Cowboys and 49ers are now mathematically eliminated from the playoffs.

Here's a look at the updated standings and playoff bracket now that Dallas and San Francisco will be watching the postseason from home.

AFC Playoff Bracket

1. Kansas City Chiefs (bye)

7. Denver Broncos at 2. Buffalo Bills

6. Los Angeles Chargers at 3. Pittsburgh Steelers

5. Baltimore Ravens at 4. Houston Texans

NFC Playoff Bracket

1. Detroit Lions (bye)

7. Washington Commanders at 2. Philadelphia Eagles

6. Green Bay Packers at 3. Los Angeles Rams

5. Minnesota Vikings at 4. Atlanta Falcons

AFC Playoff Standings

1. Kansas City Chiefs: 14-1 (clinched AFC West)

2. Buffalo Bills: 12-3 (clinched AFC East)

3. Pittsburgh Steelers: 10-5 (clinched playoff berth)

4. Houston Texans: 9-6 (clinched AFC South)

5. Baltimore Ravens: 10-5 (clinched playoff berth)

6. Los Angeles Chargers: 9-6

7. Denver Broncos: 9-6

8. Indianapolis Colts: 7-8

9. Miami Dolphins: 7-8

10. Cincinnati Bengals: 7-8

Eliminated

11. New York Jets: 4-11

12. Cleveland Browns: 3-12

13. Jacksonville Jaguars: 3-12

14. Tennessee Titans: 3-12

15. Las Vegas Raiders: 3-12

16. New England Patriots: 3-12

NFC Playoff Standings

1. Detroit Lions: 13-2 (clinched playoff berth)

2. Philadelphia Eagles: 12-3 (clinched playoff berth)

3. Los Angeles Rams: 9-6

4. Atlanta Falcons: 8-7

5. Minnesota Vikings: 13-2 (clinched playoff berth)

6. Green Bay Packers: 10-4

7. Washington Commanders: 10-5

8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 8-7

9. Seattle Seahawks: 8-7

Eliminated

10. Dallas Cowboys: 7-8

11. Arizona Cardinals: 7-8

12. San Francisco 49ers: 6-9

13. New Orleans Saints: 5-9

14. Chicago Bears: 4-11

15. Carolina Panthers: 4-11

16. New York Giants: 2-13

The reigning NFC champion 49ers were eliminated before their game against the Miami Dolphins even started, and they suffered a 29-17 loss. The Cowboys were still waiting to take the field for their Sunday Night Football matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which they ended up winning 26-24. Both teams had similar misfortune this season that left them unable to control their own destiny.

For San Francisco, the bad luck started early when star running back Christian McCaffrey was forced to miss the first eight games of the season due to Achilles tendonitis. After returning in Week 10, the 2023 NFL Offensive Player of the Year lasted just four games before a PCL injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season.

In addition to McCaffrey's struggles to stay healthy, the 49ers also dealt with injuries to key players throughout the year like quarterback Brock Purdy, wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, left tackle Trent Williams and defensive end Nick Bosa, among others.

Dallas got off to an inconsistent start before the injury bug visited in Week 9 when star quarterback Dak Prescott suffered a hamstring injury that required season-ending surgery. Prescott's injury occurred just two days before the NFL trade deadline, leaving the Cowboys to turn to backup quarterback Cooper Rush.

Unfortunately, Rush was unable to dig Dallas out of its early-season hole. Star receiver CeeDee Lamb recorded just one 100-yard game since Prescott's injury.

Now, both the 49ers and Cowboys will have to begin preparations on how they're going to attack the offseason so they can avoid a similar fate in 2025. Both franchises are hoping to satisfy starving fan bases who haven't experienced a Super Bowl title since the 1990s, so they will surely be motivated to bounce back to contention next year.