Football

NFL Playoff Scenarios

January 9, 2022
admin
   It’s week 18 in the NFL season, but there’s still lots to play for heading into the final games of the year. Not only is seeding at stake, but there’s also numerous teams, especially in the AFC, who could be punching their ticket to the postseason on Sunday. Here are the clinching scenarios heading into this afternoon’s games:

NFC

Clinched: GB, LAR, TB, DAL, ARI and PHI

   The NFC is relatively straight forward, every division except the NFC West is already wrapped up, however even there both teams (LAR & ARI) will be headed to the postseason. Only one wildcard spot is currently available and it will come down to the 49ers and Saints. The Niners control their destiny and can clinch outright with a win. 

   Unfortunately for them, they’re playing against the Rams who still have an NFC West divisional crown on their minds, meaning they won’t get the benefit of playing against backups this afternoon. The Saints meanwhile travel to Atlanta for their season finale, and though they’re mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, there’s nothing Falcons fans and players love more than beating the Saints regardless of what’s on the line. Both teams will be in tough, but even with a loss, SF could still sneak in.

Final NFC Playoff Spots:

  1. Saints clinch with win and 49ers loss
  2. 49ers clinch with win or Saints loss

NFC West

  1. Cardinals clinch NFC West with win and Rams loss
  2. Rams clinch NFC West with win or Cardinals loss

AFC

Clinched: TEN, KC, CIN, BUF and NE

   If the NFC is relatively straight forward, the AFC is anything but. With 5 teams still in the mix this weekend, there will be a lot of scoreboard watching going on across the country as several teams need a win AND help to reach the postseason. 

   The Ravens and Steelers game is always a fun one to watch, but with playoff berths on the line, there’s an extra layer of intrigue today. Lamar Jackson is out for the Ravens meaning it’s the Tyler Huntley show again. In what could be the final game of Ben Roethlisberger’s career, the Steelers will be pulling out all the stops to get their QB to the playoffs one final time. 

   Indianapolis is one of the few AFC teams who controls their own destiny. Win and they’re in. The Jags are 2-14 and could possibly wind up with the #1 overall pick with a loss this weekend. Cakewalk right? Well in theory yes, but for whatever reason, Indy doesn’t travel well when heading to the Sunshine State. The Colts haven’t won in Jacksonville since 2014, and despite being massive favourites this afternoon, we’ve seen the Jags be frisky at times this season (just ask Buffalo who dropped their November tilt with Jacksonville 9-6). While many predict Indy to get it done today, even if the Colts lose, they can still limp into the playoffs with some help from the Chargers and Dolphins.

   Speaking of which, the Chargers have easily the most intriguing game of the day when they travel to Vegas to take on their division rivals. The game was flexed to prime time, meaning that LA and Vegas will have the luxury of knowing what’s needed to get into the postseason. Whomever wins will be headed to the playoffs, however there’s also a bizarre scenario in which both teams could make the postseason with a tie. 

   Would we actually see a game script where both teams simply kneel out the clock and live to fight another day? Unlikely, but given what’s transpired in the world the last two years would anyone really rule that possibility out?

    Finally, the Titans, Chiefs, Bills and Patriots are all in the playoffs regardless of what happens this weekend. That being said, the Titans could clinch the number 1 seed (and earn a first round bye) with a win over the Texans. That would mean that the road to the Super Bowl in the AFC heads through Nissan Stadium in Nashville. The bye would also give the Titans an extra week of rest for running back Derrick Henry who wasn’t activated for this weekend but is nearing a return from foot surgery.

   Meanwhile in the AFC East, if the Bills win, the division crown is theirs. It would mark the first time the team has won back to back AFC East titles since 1990-1991. Buffalo hosts the lowly Jets in a tune up game for the postseason, in which they hope to be resting most of their starters by the 2nd half. 

   The Patriots travel to Miami, who always give Belichick a healthy dose of trouble, and would need a win AND a Bills loss in order to regain their position atop the division.

Final AFC Playoff Spots:

Ravens clinch with

  1. Win and Colts loss and Chargers loss and Dolphins loss

Colts clinch with:

  1. Win or
  2. Steelers loss and Chargers loss and Dolphins win

Raiders clinch with:

  1. Win or
  2. Tie and Colts loss or
  3. Colts loss and Steelers loss

Chargers clinch with:

  1. Win or
  2. Tie

Steelers clinch with:

  1. Win and Colts loss and Chargers-Raiders doesn’t end in tie

First Round Bye

Titans clinch with:

  1. Win

Chiefs clinch with:

  1. Titans loss

AFC East

  1. Bills clinch with win or Patriots loss

Patriots clinch with win and Bills loss