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NFL playoff picture: What does 49ers-Colts mean for AFC, NFC standings in Week 16

NFL playoff picture: What does 49ers-Colts mean for AFC, NFC standings in Week 16

The Indianapolis Colts host the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football to close out Week 16. The game is not a must-win for either team, but a loss would put a damper on their respective playoff possibilities. The game kicks off at 8:15 p.m. ET and the 49ers are a 4.5-point favorite.

The 49ers are 10-4 and have won four straight coming into this game. This game looked like a bigger deal when Daniel Jones was playing well, but they’ll face a Colts squad starting recently retired Philip Rivers. The Colts lost to the Seahawks last week in Rivers’ season debut, but nearly pulled off a stunner. They led for a chunk of the game and lost on a field goal with 18 seconds left. They’ve lost four straight since their bye and are 8-6.

The big news this week for the Colts is they get defensive tackle DeForest Buckner back in the lineup after activating him off injured reserve. However, they’ll be without left tackle Bernhard Raimann due to an elbow injury. They face a 49ers squad that will be without cornerback Renardo Green and wide receiver Ricky Pearsall.

San Francisco 49ers playoff picture

The 49ers clinched a playoff berth on Sunday when the Lions lost to the Steelers. They are 1.5 games back of the Seahawks and a half game back of the Rams in the NFC West standings. They are in sixth place overall in the NFC standings. If they win this game, they’ll move into second place in the division and fifth place overall due to having the division record tiebreaker over the Rams.

If the 49ers win their final three games, they will win the NFC West and also secure the No. 1 seed in the conference. They host the Bears next Sunday and the Seahawks in Week 18.

Indianapolis Colts playoff picture

The Colts cannot be eliminated from playoff contention this weekend, but a loss would put them on the precipice of elimination. They are 2.5 games back of the AFC South-leading Jaguars and 1.5 games back of the Texans. A loss would eliminate Indy from division contention.

They would still be alive for a wild card berth, but it would require wins and help the final two weeks. The Colts are in eighth place in the conference and would drop to two games back of the Texans for the final wild card berth. Indy hosts the Jaguars and travels to face the Texans to close out the season.

This could impact the common games tiebreaker due to everybody in the AFC South and NFC West facing off this season.

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#NFL #playoff #picture #49ersColts #AFC #NFC #standings #Week

Deadspin | NBA fines Suns’ Devin Booker K but rescind his technical  Apr 22, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; NBA referee JB DeRosa calls a technical on Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) in the second half during game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images   One day after calling a referee’s performance “terrible,” Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker received a ,000 fine from the NBA on Thursday for his comments — but he did receive some vindication from the league.  The NBA rescinded the technical foul called against Booker late in the third quarter, announcing it was “improperly assessed.”  After the Suns lost 120-107 to the host Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday, falling behind the defending champions 2-0 in a best-of-seven Western Conference quarterfinal series, Booker expressed his thoughts on the officiating.  “It’s definitely something that has to be looked at,” Booker said postgame. “I heard (Oklahoma City’s Alex) Caruso tell them to call the tech, and he ended up doing it. In my 11 years, I haven’t called a ref out by name, but James (Williams) was terrible tonight.”  He added, “Whatever I get fined for, everybody can pull the clips and see where the frustration comes from.”   NBA executive vice president and head of basketball operations James Jones issued the fine. The accompanying press release also addressed Booker’s allegations, saying, “Following an investigation including multiple interviews and video review, the league found no basis to any claim of bias or misconduct by game officials.”  However, the league went on to state that Booker’s technical foul was overturned.  Booker finished with 22 points and seven rebounds on Wednesday after he had 23 points and six boards in Game 1 on Sunday. In 64 regular-season starts this campaign, he averaged 26.1 points, 6.0 assists and 3.9 rebounds.  In 11 NBA seasons, all with the Suns, Booker has been an All-Star five times. He has career averages of 24.6 points, 5.3 assists and 4.0 rebounds in 737 games (712 starts).  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #NBA #fines #Suns #Devin #Booker #35K #rescind #technicalApr 22, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; NBA referee JB DeRosa calls a technical on Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) in the second half during game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

One day after calling a referee’s performance “terrible,” Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker received a $35,000 fine from the NBA on Thursday for his comments — but he did receive some vindication from the league.

The NBA rescinded the technical foul called against Booker late in the third quarter, announcing it was “improperly assessed.”

After the Suns lost 120-107 to the host Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday, falling behind the defending champions 2-0 in a best-of-seven Western Conference quarterfinal series, Booker expressed his thoughts on the officiating.

“It’s definitely something that has to be looked at,” Booker said postgame. “I heard (Oklahoma City’s Alex) Caruso tell them to call the tech, and he ended up doing it. In my 11 years, I haven’t called a ref out by name, but James (Williams) was terrible tonight.”


He added, “Whatever I get fined for, everybody can pull the clips and see where the frustration comes from.”

NBA executive vice president and head of basketball operations James Jones issued the fine. The accompanying press release also addressed Booker’s allegations, saying, “Following an investigation including multiple interviews and video review, the league found no basis to any claim of bias or misconduct by game officials.”

However, the league went on to state that Booker’s technical foul was overturned.

Booker finished with 22 points and seven rebounds on Wednesday after he had 23 points and six boards in Game 1 on Sunday. In 64 regular-season starts this campaign, he averaged 26.1 points, 6.0 assists and 3.9 rebounds.

In 11 NBA seasons, all with the Suns, Booker has been an All-Star five times. He has career averages of 24.6 points, 5.3 assists and 4.0 rebounds in 737 games (712 starts).


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #NBA #fines #Suns #Devin #Booker #35K #rescind #technical">Deadspin | NBA fines Suns’ Devin Booker K but rescind his technical  Apr 22, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; NBA referee JB DeRosa calls a technical on Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) in the second half during game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images   One day after calling a referee’s performance “terrible,” Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker received a ,000 fine from the NBA on Thursday for his comments — but he did receive some vindication from the league.  The NBA rescinded the technical foul called against Booker late in the third quarter, announcing it was “improperly assessed.”  After the Suns lost 120-107 to the host Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday, falling behind the defending champions 2-0 in a best-of-seven Western Conference quarterfinal series, Booker expressed his thoughts on the officiating.  “It’s definitely something that has to be looked at,” Booker said postgame. “I heard (Oklahoma City’s Alex) Caruso tell them to call the tech, and he ended up doing it. In my 11 years, I haven’t called a ref out by name, but James (Williams) was terrible tonight.”  He added, “Whatever I get fined for, everybody can pull the clips and see where the frustration comes from.”   NBA executive vice president and head of basketball operations James Jones issued the fine. The accompanying press release also addressed Booker’s allegations, saying, “Following an investigation including multiple interviews and video review, the league found no basis to any claim of bias or misconduct by game officials.”  However, the league went on to state that Booker’s technical foul was overturned.  Booker finished with 22 points and seven rebounds on Wednesday after he had 23 points and six boards in Game 1 on Sunday. In 64 regular-season starts this campaign, he averaged 26.1 points, 6.0 assists and 3.9 rebounds.  In 11 NBA seasons, all with the Suns, Booker has been an All-Star five times. He has career averages of 24.6 points, 5.3 assists and 4.0 rebounds in 737 games (712 starts).  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #NBA #fines #Suns #Devin #Booker #35K #rescind #technical

While some batters arrive at away grounds determined to play a ​certain way regardless of the pitch, Chennai Super Kings’ ‌Sanju Samson says his red-hot form in the ​IPL 2026 is a product ⁠of adaptability and an open mind.

After single-digit scores in his first three IPL knocks, Samson smashed his second ‌hundred of the season against Mumbai Indians on Thursday, his unbeaten 101 off 54 ‌balls setting up Chennai’s 103-run victory over ‌the ⁠five-time champions.

With 293 runs from seven innings, ⁠Samson is now third in the leading scorers’ list this season behind Sunrisers Hyderabad duo Abhishek Sharma (323) and Heinrich ​Klaasen (320).

Samson said it was ‌not a typical Wankhede pitch and he had to adjust his game as the ball did not come nicely onto the bat.

“I think ‌the game tells you what to do,” he ​added.

“I think you don’t have to come with a preconceived mindset, or you ⁠don’t have to be premeditating — this is how I play or this is what I want to ‌do.

Also read | Akeal Hosein rewrites PowerPlay playbook with Chennai Super Kings

“You can definitely say that this is the way I play… It is my responsibility to understand the game situation, what the team demands, and then plan my game around it.

“I definitely go with a very open mindset.”

The 31-year-old, ‌who was player of the tournament when India defended its ​T20 World Cup title earlier this year, also relished handing Mumbai its biggest ⁠defeat in the IPL in front of its own ⁠fans at the Wankhede Stadium.

“It really feels great to score a century in Wankhede ‌against MI,” Samson said after the win, which helped Chennai climb to fifth place in ​the league.

Published on Apr 24, 2026

#game #tells #Clear #mind #trick #CSKs #redhot #Samson">‘The game tells you what to do’: Clear mind does the trick for CSK’s red-hot Samson  While some batters arrive at away grounds determined to play a ​certain way regardless of the pitch, Chennai Super Kings’ ‌Sanju Samson says his red-hot form in the ​IPL 2026 is a product ⁠of adaptability and an open mind.After single-digit scores in his first three IPL knocks, Samson smashed his second ‌hundred of the season against Mumbai Indians on Thursday, his unbeaten 101 off 54 ‌balls setting up Chennai’s 103-run victory over ‌the ⁠five-time champions.With 293 runs from seven innings, ⁠Samson is now third in the leading scorers’ list this season behind Sunrisers Hyderabad duo Abhishek Sharma (323) and Heinrich ​Klaasen (320).Samson said it was ‌not a typical Wankhede pitch and he had to adjust his game as the ball did not come nicely onto the bat.“I think ‌the game tells you what to do,” he ​added.“I think you don’t have to come with a preconceived mindset, or you ⁠don’t have to be premeditating — this is how I play or this is what I want to ‌do.Also read | Akeal Hosein rewrites PowerPlay playbook with Chennai Super Kings“You can definitely say that this is the way I play… It is my responsibility to understand the game situation, what the team demands, and then plan my game around it.“I definitely go with a very open mindset.”The 31-year-old, ‌who was player of the tournament when India defended its ​T20 World Cup title earlier this year, also relished handing Mumbai its biggest ⁠defeat in the IPL in front of its own ⁠fans at the Wankhede Stadium.“It really feels great to score a century in Wankhede ‌against MI,” Samson said after the win, which helped Chennai climb to fifth place in ​the league.Published on Apr 24, 2026  #game #tells #Clear #mind #trick #CSKs #redhot #Samson

Akeal Hosein rewrites PowerPlay playbook with Chennai Super Kings

“You can definitely say that this is the way I play… It is my responsibility to understand the game situation, what the team demands, and then plan my game around it.

“I definitely go with a very open mindset.”

The 31-year-old, ‌who was player of the tournament when India defended its ​T20 World Cup title earlier this year, also relished handing Mumbai its biggest ⁠defeat in the IPL in front of its own ⁠fans at the Wankhede Stadium.

“It really feels great to score a century in Wankhede ‌against MI,” Samson said after the win, which helped Chennai climb to fifth place in ​the league.

Published on Apr 24, 2026

#game #tells #Clear #mind #trick #CSKs #redhot #Samson">‘The game tells you what to do’: Clear mind does the trick for CSK’s red-hot Samson

While some batters arrive at away grounds determined to play a ​certain way regardless of the pitch, Chennai Super Kings’ ‌Sanju Samson says his red-hot form in the ​IPL 2026 is a product ⁠of adaptability and an open mind.

After single-digit scores in his first three IPL knocks, Samson smashed his second ‌hundred of the season against Mumbai Indians on Thursday, his unbeaten 101 off 54 ‌balls setting up Chennai’s 103-run victory over ‌the ⁠five-time champions.

With 293 runs from seven innings, ⁠Samson is now third in the leading scorers’ list this season behind Sunrisers Hyderabad duo Abhishek Sharma (323) and Heinrich ​Klaasen (320).

Samson said it was ‌not a typical Wankhede pitch and he had to adjust his game as the ball did not come nicely onto the bat.

“I think ‌the game tells you what to do,” he ​added.

“I think you don’t have to come with a preconceived mindset, or you ⁠don’t have to be premeditating — this is how I play or this is what I want to ‌do.

Also read | Akeal Hosein rewrites PowerPlay playbook with Chennai Super Kings

“You can definitely say that this is the way I play… It is my responsibility to understand the game situation, what the team demands, and then plan my game around it.

“I definitely go with a very open mindset.”

The 31-year-old, ‌who was player of the tournament when India defended its ​T20 World Cup title earlier this year, also relished handing Mumbai its biggest ⁠defeat in the IPL in front of its own ⁠fans at the Wankhede Stadium.

“It really feels great to score a century in Wankhede ‌against MI,” Samson said after the win, which helped Chennai climb to fifth place in ​the league.

Published on Apr 24, 2026

#game #tells #Clear #mind #trick #CSKs #redhot #Samson

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