NFL Playoff Picture

Week 14 games that had a big impact on the NFL playoff picture:

• CAR – ATL
  • Few saw the Panthers winning this game, but it speaks to the fact that Atlanta is still dealing with consistency issues. Their loss opens things up for SF and GB to possible steal the #1 seed.
• MIN – CHI
  • Chicago is falling apart at the worst time. They now need GB to lose on Sunday and drop one of their final 2 games against TEN and @MIN. This also hurts their chances of securing a wildcard spot.
• PIT – SD
  • You would have thought having Big Ben under center would have helped them win this game, but the loss at least applies some extra pressure for the remainder on the season. At least BAL and CIN dropped their games as well.

Here’s a look at how things can play out for each of the contenders in the final three weeks of the season.

AFC:

NE

• If Patriots beat SF, it opens the door for them and GB to secure byes, assuming they both win out.
• Need a HOU loss to be #1 seed.
• Finish with 2 easy games @JAC, MIA.

HOU

• Houston’s loss on Monday puts them in a position where another loss could give NE home field advantage if they can win out.
• Good news is that they have three winnable games remaining. (IND, MIN, @IND)
• They have to play to win all remaining games due to NE and DEN being only a few games back.

DEN

• Winnable stretch (@BAL, CLE, KC), especially with BAL reeling as of late.
• Hoping for a SF win because they would take #2 seed by winning out.
• Could secure the #1 with a loss NE and 2 from HOU, but seems unlikely.

BAL

• Losing momentum fast and changing offensive coordinators adds more questions.
• Tough stretch ahead of them (DEN, NYG, @CIN).
• I have them losing 2 games and finishing with the #4 seed
• They could lose all 3 games and still get the #6.

IND

• Win 1 game and they’ll most likely secure the #5 seed.
• Could win the division by sweeping HOU, would be #3 seed.
• Could lose all 3 and make the playoffs if CIN doesn’t win out.
• Tough stretch with 2 games against HOU, but playing KC in Week 16 should help.

PIT

• Big game against DAL this weekend.
• Can afford one loss, but they’d be the #6 seed.
• Need 3 BAL losses and to win out to win the #4 seed and the AFC North.
• Somewhat difficult stretch but certainly doable with games @DAL, CIN, CLE.

CIN

• Need to win out to get into the playoffs.
• Tough but doable (@PHI, @PIT, BAL)
• Thankfully, they get two games against division opponents.

Other teams mathematically still alive: 

• Jets
• Chargers
• Browns
• Bills
• Dolphins

NFC:

ATL

• A Falcons win opens the door for WAS to take the NFC East.
• Atlanta has a tough schedule ahead of them (NYG, @DET, TB).
• 2 losses could drop them back into the wildcard round in SF & GB win out.
• 3 losses could push them down to the #4 seed.
• Best case scenario: Win 2 games and they secure home field advantage.

SF

• Huge game against NE. A loss here really helps ATL & GB.
• 2 tough road games @NE & @SEA.
• 2 losses by ATL could give them #1 seed if they win out.
• 2 losses including one to SEA would leave them with the #5 seed. @SEA will be a HUGE game.

GB

• A win Sunday gives the NFC North title.
• Simply win out and they get #3 seed.
• Hope for a SF loss which gives them #2 spot.
• 2 ATL losses and SF dropping 1 game gives them the #1 seed.
• GB can still win the division even if they lose to CHI, with wins over TEN and MIN.

NYG

• Giants win over ATL simply keeps them ahead of WAS.
• Not an easy stretch with games (@ATL, @BAL, PHI).
• 2 losses knock them out of the playoffs, assuming either the Bears or Redskins don’t lose twice.

WAS

• A win over CLE keeps them ahead of CHI, assuming the Bears lose to GB.
• Loss really keeps them out of the playoffs unless CHI drops a game or SEA drops 2.
• Hoping for a NYG loss, which would afford them some leeway.

SEA

• Best case scenario; SF drops 2 games and they win out.
• Most likely scenario; they end up with the #6 seed and travel to GB.
• A loss by WAS gives them #5 seed, as long as they win 2 games.
• Really comes down to game against SF.

Key Matchups: Week 15

• SF – NE
• PIT –  DAL
• NYG – ATL
• GB – CHI
• WAS – CLE

Key Matchups: Week 16

• NYG – BAL
• SEA – SF

Key Matchups: Week 17

• DAL – WAS

Upset Watch:

• Week 15 – SEA @ BUF
• Week 16 – ATL @ DET
• Week 17 – TB – ATL

Projected Playoffs

AFC:

No. 1 – Houston Texans

No. 2 – Denver Broncos

No. 6 – Pittsburgh Steelers vs No. 3 – New England Patriots

No. 5 – Indianapolis Colts vs No. 4 – Baltimore Ravens

NFC:

No. 1 – Atlanta Falcons

No. 2 – San Francisco 49ers

No. 6 – Seattle Seahawks vs No. 3 – Green Bay Packers

No. 5 – Washington Redskins vs No. 4 – New York Giants