Playoff Picture
-
Coming down to the next to the last week of the season and here is the playoff picture:
AFC
East Pats have clinched division, hold #1 seed at the moment
North Ravens have clinched playoff spot, lead division
South Texans have clinched division
West Broncos
Wildcards: Steelers have clinched at least a WC spot. Bengals and Jets are in a dead heat for last WC (they have the same record and the same conference record. The tie breaker would be record in common games, which I have not calculated)
In the hunt:
The Steelers and Ravens are still contesting the North. Loser still has a WC spot. Each still could potentially take #1 seed as could Texans.
The Titans are still in the hunt for the last WC spot at 7-7 compared to Jets/Bengals who are 8-6.
The Raiders, Chargers, and Chiefs are all still mathematically alive for the West title and for that last WC spot.
NFC
East Cowboys
North Packers have clinched division and hold lead for #1 seed
South Saints have clinched at least a WC spot
West 49ers have clinched division
Wildcards Lions and Falcons
In the hunt: Giants and Eagles could still take the East. Falcons could still take the South from the Saints.
Bears, Seahawks, Giants and Cardinals are all longshot chances for a WC. For any of them to get in as a WC both ATL and Detroit would have to lose both of their last 2 games. Giants merely need to beat the Jets and the Cowboys to claim the East.
There are numerous big games this week between contenders:
Giants vs. Jets The Battle of New York also could be an elimination game for the loser
Saints vs. Falcons for supremacy in NFC South
Bears vs. Packers oldest/best NFL rivalry. Packers want to put dagger into Bears playoff chances
49ers vs. Seahawks Niners likewise want to ground Seahawks playoff chances
Cowboys vs. Eagles Only a win keeps Eagles chances alive, and they love to stomp on the Boys
Chargers vs. Lions More at stake for Chargers than Lions, nevertheless Lions want to roar
Raiders vs. Chief Age old grudge match. Losers playoff chances go up in smoke
Bengals vs. Cardinals Both teams trying to keep playoff chances alive
Other games with playoff implications:
Texans vs. Colts Texans need win to keep chances for #1 seed. Also, they want to clearly demonstrate to Colts in a bad way that they are the new Sheriff in town in the AFC South
Dolphins vs. Pats Pats also need win to keep their current position as #1 seed. Dolphins would like nothing better than to bloody their lip....and have been playing well enough to do just that
Browns vs. Ravens Ratbirds need to win to keep division lead and for chance at #1 seed.
Broncos vs. Bills Broncos need win to keep their slim lead in the AFC West
Rams vs. Steelers Steelers can't take any team lightly if they want to take over AFCN lead and have chance at #1 seed
Jags vs. Titans Titans slim WC chances only stay alive by beating Jax
The ONLY games that don't have playoff implications are the Vikings/Redskins game and the Panthers/Bucs game. So, for NFL fans it should be an exciting weekend.
Note that most games are being played Saturday, Christmas Eve. Only the Bears/Packers are being played Sunday Christmas Day. And the Saints and Falcons try to box each others ears on Boxing Day, Mon. Dec. 26.
-
Just as a note, currently the Jets own the tiebreaker, presumably on the common opponent mark.
-
Nice write up.
Thanks!!
-
Just as a note, currently the Jets own the tiebreaker, presumably on the common opponent mark.
Hello! It looks like you're interested in this conversation, but you don't have an account yet.
Getting fed up of having to scroll through the same posts each visit? When you register for an account, you'll always come back to exactly where you were before, and choose to be notified of new replies (either via email, or push notification). You'll also be able to save bookmarks and upvote posts to show your appreciation to other community members.
With your input, this post could be even better 💗
Register Login