I would have thought someone would have taken the time to do this last week as well (eventhough at that point it was MUCH more complicated. But here’s what’s left for the playoff seedings. What’s amazing to me is the remaining possible shot that Jacksonville (7-8) has: If they win to finish 8-8, then Pittsburgh loses to Miami, and 3 of these 4 lose: Baltimore, Jets, Houston, Denver. Houston plays New England, who plays for a 3 seed, The Jets play Cinci, who is also playing for a 3, but the Jets are playing to “Win and you’re inâ€. Then between Baltimore (at Oakland) and Denver (they host KC), only one of those needs to lose. Not REAL likely, but could happen. That there’s any shot at all is amazing. Miami has a bit longer shot, needing a win over Pittsburgh at home, plus losses by Baltimore (at Oak) , Jets (host Cincy) , Houston (host New England) and Jacksonville (at Cleveland) , but still a miracle in itself that they have any shot at all.
AFC:
The top four seeds in the AFC are set, and very little movement can take place there. A look at the AFC’s division winners:
Indianapolis Colts (14-1)
– Have clinched AFC’s No. 1 seed
San Diego Chargers (12-3)
– Have clinched AFC’s No. 2 seed
New England Patriots (10-5)
– Can clinch No. 3 seed with: Win over Houston OR Cincinnati loss to Jets
Cincinnati Bengals (10-5)
– Can clinch No. 3 seed with: Win over Jets AND New England loss to Houston
The situation is infinitely more complicated in terms of the AFC’s two wild-card spots. Seven AFC teams will enter Week 17 with an opportunity to claim a wild-card berth, though the Jets and Ravens control their destinies. Here’s how each remaining team could make the postseason:New York Jets (8-7)
– Win over Bengals
Baltimore Ravens (8-7)
– Win over Raiders
Denver Broncos (8-7)
– Win over Chiefs plus losses by at least two of the following: Baltimore (at Oakland), Jets (vs. Cincinnati), Pittsburgh (at Miami)
– Win over Chiefs plus Jets loss AND wins by Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Houston (vs. New England)
– Win over Chiefs plus Houston win AND loss by either Baltimore or Jets
– Loss to Chiefs plus Pittsburgh loss AND losses by at least three of the following: Baltimore, Houston, Jacksonville and Jets
– Loss to Chiefs plus losses by Baltimore, Houston, Jacksonville and Jets
Houston Texans (8-7)
– Win over Patriots plus losses by at least two of the following: Baltimore, Jets, Denver
Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7)
– Win over Dolphins plus losses by at least two of the following: Baltimore, Jets, Houston
– Win over Dolphins plus losses by Denver (vs. Kansas City), Baltimore and Jets
Miami Dolphins (7-8)
– Win over Steelers plus losses by Baltimore, Jets, Houston and Jacksonville (at Cleveland)
Jacksonville Jaguars (7-8)
– Win over Browns plus Pittsburgh loss AND losses by at least three of the following: Baltimore, Jets, Houston, Denver
– Win over Browns plus losses by Baltimore, Jets, Houston and Denver
NFC:
There are no wild-card spots still up for grabs in the NFC — Dallas’ win at Washington Sunday night eliminated the Giants from contention and locked in the conference’s top six. That said, there are still plenty of scenarios for Week 17 that would shift seeding in the NFC:
New Orleans Saints (13-2)
– Have clinched NFC’s No. 1 seed
Philadelphia Eagles (11-4)
– Can clinch NFC East and No. 2 seed with win at Dallas
Minnesota Vikings (11-4)
– Can clinch No. 2 seed with win over Giants AND Philadelphia loss
Arizona Cardinals (10-5)
– Can clinch No. 2 seed with win over Green Bay plus Minnesota loss AND Philadelphia loss
– Can clinch No. 3 seed with win over Green Bay AND Dallas win
Green Bay Packers (10-5)
– Can clinch No. 5 seed with win over Arizona OR Philadelphia win
Dallas Cowboys (10-5)
– Can clinch NFC East with win over Philadelphia
– Can clinch No. 2 seed with win over Philadelphia plus Minnesota loss AND Arizona loss
– Can clinch No. 3 seed with win over Philadelphia AND Arizona loss
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