Coming into this weekend’s final round of the NFL, more than half the teams are still in the race for a playoff berth.
Six of the 12 playoff teams are confirmed, but where and how the teams will be involved in the playoffs are still a massive mystery.
The playoff spots are closer to being decided in the AFC than the NFC, but where teams finish in the playoffs is far from settled.
Here’s my look into the Crystal ball of Week 17 and playoff teams.
NFC West
The toughest division in the NFL still has three playoff contenders
Seattle
To win the NFC and have home ground advantage throughout the playoffs they need to win or tie versus the Rams at home (likely), or hope San Francisco fail to win both this week versus the Falcons and next week versus the Cardinals.
The Seahawks cannot miss the playoffs but will be much stronger with the benefit of home ground advantage throughout the playoffs.
San Francisco
The 49ers’ major focus will be to win out their remaining games against Atlanta and and Arizona. That keeps their destiny in their own hands.
If they lose both games and New Orleans win over Tampa Bay, the 49ers could miss out on the playoffs.
If Seattle lose next week versus the Rams and the 49ers win both, they will claim the NFC West and a first round bye.
If Carolina don’t win as well then the 49ers could win the NFC and gain home ground advantage throughout the playoffs.
Arizona
Their only hope is a wild card. Their destiny is dependent on San Francisco and New Orleans.
Firstly, Arizona fans have to cheer loudly for Atlanta against San Francisco in Week 16 Monday Night Football. Then destiny will be in their own hands when they play San Francisco in Week 17.
If San Francisco win this week, Arizona will have to beat the 49ers next week and hope that New Orleans lose.
Verdict: Seattle take the top seed of the NFC with San Francisco a wild card. Arizona to miss out in what is a huge anomaly with the playoff qualification system.
NFC South
Carolina
Have clinched a playoff spot and have some major momentum coming into the playoffs.
They still have a chance to win the NFC and have home ground advantage through the playoffs.
Carolina need to win their last game and get some help from San Francisco, who would need to win both their Monday Night Football game against Atlanta and next week at Arizona, plus Seattle to lose next week against the Rams.
A first round bye is in their own hands – all they need is a win at Atlanta in Week 17.
A loss from New Orleans will also give the Panthers a first round bye.
New Orleans
New Orleans can still win the division and a first round bye with a win over Tampa Bay and a Carolina loss.
They’ll take a wild card with a win and an Arizona loss, or two San Francisco losses.
Verdict: Carolina win the NFC South and a first round bye. New Orleans will take a playoff berth.
NFC North
Chicago/Green Bay
The scenario is simple for the Bears and Packers – win and you’re in. In the event of a tie, the Bears will take the NFC North.
Verdict: With my heart not my head, Go Pack Go.
NFC East
Dallas/Philadelphia
The same scenario as above.
Dallas will be rocked by the news that their starting quarterback Tony Romo is rumoured to have been injured and will not play again this year. There’s a lot of pressure on back-up QB Kyle Orton, who will start his first game since 2011 if Romo is ruled out.
Verdict: Philadelphia should win this division from here, regardless if Romo plays or not.
NFC playoff teams in seeding order
1. Seattle (13-3)
2. Carolina (12-4)
3. Philadelphia (10-6)
4. Green Bay (9-7-1)
5. San Francisco (12-4)
6. New Orleans (11-5)
AFC West
Denver has clinched a playoff berth and a first round bye already with an impressive 12-3 record so far. Peyton Manning is breaking records left/right and centre. Denver will have home ground advantage throughout the playoffs with a win.
Kansas City has already clinched a wildcard berth and can’t do any better than that after falling to 11-4 following their 9-0 start.
San Diego is still in the playoff hunt in another anomaly with the NFL playoff system. The Chargers can sneak into the playoffs with an upset victory over Kansas City and hope that both Miami (against the Jets) and Baltimore (at Cincinnati) both lose.
Verdict: Denver will beat Oakland to win the AFC West with a first round bye and a hope they don’t have the same stage fright they did last season.
Kansas City can’t move anywhere so they’ll have home field advantage in the wildcard game. San Diego will miss out, losing to Kansas City with Miami beating the Jets.
AFC South
Indianapolis have clinched a playoff spot in a poor division in which they are the only team above .500.
A first round bye is dependent on them beating Jacksonville along with New England losing and Cincinnati not winning (a tie would do)
Verdict: Already clinched the division and can’t gain a first round bye.
AFC North
Cincinnati has the AFC North securely in their grasp. To get a first round bye they need to defeat Baltimore and hope New England loses to Buffalo.
Baltimore has a fighting chance at making the playoffs. Firstly they have the tough task of winning at Cincinnati. If they can pull off that upset and either San Diego or Miami lose then the Ravens still have a shot at defending the title.
The unlikely scenarios which keep the Ravens chances alive are:
1. Baltimore tie, Miami don’t defeat Jets and San Diego don’t win over Kansas City
2. Baltimore tie, Miami and the Jets tie and San Diego lose to Kansas City
3. Baltimore lose, Miami lose, San Diego lose and Pittsburgh don’t win.
Verdict: Cincinnati will clinch with a win over Baltimore. Baltimore will miss the playoffs thanks to Miami beating the Jets.
AFC East
New England have dominated the AFC East and clinched a playoff spot. If New England wins and Denver does not win (a tie will do) then they will have the tiebreaker and home field advantage all the way through the playoffs.
Miami are still in the hunt for a wild card but need some help. They have to win or they’re out – the Dolphins also need San Diego (against Kansas City) and Baltimore (against Cincinnati) to lose.
I think this is the likely scenario which will determine the final playoff spot.
Verdict: New England to clinch home ground advantage through the playoffs and Miami to fall into the wild card slot.
AFC playoff teams in seeding order
1. Denver (13-3)
2. New England (12-4)
3. Cincinnati (11-5 with tie breaker)
4. Indianapolis (11-5)
5. Kansas City (12-4)
6. Miami (9-7)
Regardless of who comes through, the playoffs are going to be fantastic viewing. Good luck to your team.
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