The San Francisco 49ers’ playoff aspirations are officially over for 2024.

They were first eliminated from winning the NFC West due to a Los Angeles Rams win over the New York Jets 19-9. A few minutes later, the Washington Commanders beat the Philadelphia Eagles 36-33.

How the 49ers were eliminated from contention for the division is rather fitting: a special teams miscue. The play that sealed the game for the Rams was a muffed punt. Jets punt returner Xavier Gipson couldn’t hold onto the ball, and it bounced off him. The Rams recovered.

The 49ers were still in playoff contention despite the Rams going to victory formation, though it was a very, very low probability they could secure a Wild Card slot. The probability went to 0 during the fourth quarter of the Commanders-Eagles game. The Commanders roared back, scoring 22 points, eight of which came in the final six seconds. The Commanders, down five points, stormed down the field and scored a touchdown, followed by a successful two-point conversion.

The 49ers are currently playing the Miami Dolphins. Minutes before the game began, they were informed they had been eliminated from playoff contention.

So now the 49ers are just trying to play for pride. 2025 will be a different team. 2024 was a nightmare of a season, with many unavoidable events. Hopefully, the football gods will ease up on them next season.