Back in 2020, the Carolina Panthers were nowhere close to qualifying for the playoffs late in the season. According to FiveThirtyEight’s prediction model back in November 2020, the Panthers’ chances were projected to be a miserable 3%. Despite that bleak picture, their week 14 game against the Denver Broncos was special for Christian McCaffrey, who then used to don the No. 22 for the Panthers. Ask us why.

McCaffrey returned from a separated shoulder injury just in time for the Panthers to host his hometown team, the Broncos, for the first time in his four-year NFL career. Not only that, it also happened to be the team with which his father Ed McCaffery had 2 of his 3 Super Bowl rings in 1998 and 1999. “Pretty surreal in a way to be playing against my dad’s former team,” McCaffrey had said. “Kind of makes things go full circle.” Eventually, the Panthers lost to the Broncos 27-32, further distancing them from the playoffs. But can you really deny the emotion Christian had on that day? Probably not. That is exactly what Ed thinks: every game counts in some way or the other.

Come 2024, Christian has become the No. 23 for the 49ers. The year hasn’t really been the one for the 49ers. After losing to the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII, the Niners ended their last season in the most heartbreaking way possible. So, everyone thought the 49ers would go on a revenge run to claim what they couldn’t last year. However, look at them now. With two games still remaining on their schedule, San Francisco has nothing to play for. But Ed, who won his first Super Bowl ring with the 49ers in 1995, wants the team to approach the game with a positive mindset.

A three-time Super Bowl Champion, Ed knows what it feels like to play in meaningless games. Sharing a thread, Ed proclaimed Instagram story, “I remember playing in so-called “meaningless” @NFL games at the end of the season. Let me tell ya something, every game has meaning. We play for our God, family, the respect of our coaches & teammates, fans, city & the list goes on and on… if you play today, make it count!” Well, it’s the NFL we are talking about.

You are bound to face challenges, but giving up before it’s all done and dusted isn’t an option. Playing their last game in the Bay Area, Ed has urged his Niners to “Make it count.” Well, Christian McCaffrey’s dad isn’t the only one urging his team to show their fans what it means to play for San Francisco. Their head coach, Kyle Shanahan, is also looking forward to spoiling the Lions’ chances of securing the NFC’s No.1 seed, “I want to end it by beating Detroit. Nothing would be better than upsetting them and ruining their chance at the one seed and having a game that we can be proud of.”

Although it looks unlikely against a Lions side that has won 13 games this season, you just never know what will happen. Just look at last season’s NFC Championship game. The 49ers came back from a 17-point deficit to win against Detroit. So anything can happen on Monday Night when the Lions face off against a determined 49ers team. While the Niners are approaching their meaningless clash with a fiery attitude, Kansas City is doing the complete opposite.

Ed’s former team handed a major boost ahead of the Chiefs game, but…

The Chiefs have seemingly decided to rest Patrick Mahomes for their last game of the regular season. With the AFC’s No. 1 seed already in their pocket, the Chiefs still took care of business against the Steelers on Christmas. There’s little at stake for the remainder of the regular season. But they are still approaching their final game of the season with a precautionary measure. As per Fox Sports reporter Peter Schrager, the Chiefs are going to start their backup QB Carson Wentz in place of Patrick Mahomes in week 18. If they do, it will be Wentz’s first start of the year since his last one in 2023.

Top Comment by Tigger62

Ha ha ha! Obviously he, Shanahan, doesn’t understand that their game against the Lions means nothing!! It has no meaning...more

Share your take

Debate

That one, too, came in a ‘meaningless’ game for the Rams when they had already secured their postseason qualification. But it isn’t like Wentz failed to perform. He finished his outing by completing 17 of his 24 passes for 163 yards, alongside two TDs. Well, that start came when he was still in Los Angeles. This time, he will be wearing the Chiefs’ colors and will have a chance to show what he can do for the Chiefs Kingdom.

Now, the news that Wentz will start might be music to Denver’s ears. Win against the Chiefs and qualify for the playoffs without having to depend on other teams. As things stand, Wentz is the only hurdle to their postseason hopes. But well, they might want to keep the 2019 season’s memories in their minds.

Back then, in week 7 Vic Fangio’s Broncos were struggling in the second quarter of the season. The football gods seemed to bless the Broncos, as Mahomes exited the game early with a scary injury. But not so fast! Matt Moore entered the game and destroyed the Broncos as the Chiefs slaughtered them at Mile High, 30-6. We don’t want to infer anything, but just a reminder. After all, the Chiefs are the winners of 18 of their last 19 matchups with the Broncos.

It might be Wentz and the Chiefs’ entire second-team roster, but he still is a talented quarterback coached by a future Hall-of-Famer and one of the best head coaches in NFL history. And spoiling Denver’s playoff hopes with its backup squad is surely something that the Chiefs would love. Let’s see how this one plays out.