Pivotal Games That Will Shape The Postseason

With four weeks remaining, the playoff picture is becoming pretty clear, but that’s not say that there aren’t some pivotal games remaining on the schedule. We already know that we will be seeing the Falcons, Patriots, Texans and Broncos in the postseason and the Ravens and 49ers can clinch a spot this weekend.

Here’s a look at the remaining games that will have the biggest impact on playoff picture.

Week 14

Ravens vs Redskins

Baltimore can clinch a playoff spot with a win and a Steelers or Bengals loss, but mounting injuries and an under-performing offense makes this a pretty tough matchup for them. On top of that, Washington looks to be hitting their stride. RGIII has played exceptional in recent weeks and getting Pierre Garcon back only helps their offensive attack. Washington is 3 point favorites in this game, so Baltimore has their work cut out for them.

Playoff implications:

A Ravens win opens the door for the Giants to claim the NFC East title and would put the Seahawks in a great position to lockup the No. 6 seed. If Washington is able to come out of this game with a win, it would give them a very good shot at securing a playoff spot and possibly winning the NFC East title, while forcing the Giants to fight for final wildcard spot.

Saints vs Giants

The Saints would need a number of things to go in the favor to secure a spot in the playoffs, but they could certainly play spoiler from here on out. The Giants are coming off of a fairly demoralizing loss that opened to the door for Washington to make a postseason run. They haven’t been playing their best football as of late, but there’s still plenty of time to get things sorted out.

Playoff implications:

The implications here relate solely to the Giants. A win and they’re still in control of the NFC East, but a loss gives the Redskins the opportunity to take over and dictate their future, assuming that Washington is able to beat Baltimore on Sunday.

Week 15

49ers vs Patriots

While the Patriots have already locked up a playoffs spot and the 49ers should have one locked up in the near future as well, this game has huge implications on playoffs seeding.

Playoff implications:

Let’s assume that 49ers take care of the Dolphins and Cardinals and that the Patriots will be able to beat Dolphins and Jaguars. A 49ers win doesn’t do all that much for either team, but loss changes a lot for the No. 2 and 3 teams in both AFC and NFC. If New England is able to beat the 49ers at home, there’s a chance that this could propel New England to take over as No. 2 seed, bumping the Broncos down to the wildcard round and could push the Packers into the No. 2 in the NFC. This would force the 49ers to play a home game against the N0. 6 seed in wildcard round. In terms of the No. 2 and 3 seeds, no game has as big of an impact as this game, assuming the Patriots are able to pull this one out.

Packers vs Bears

Green Bay hasn’t been the same team this season and the fact that they’re dealing with so many injuries makes them a bit of an enigma at this point. The Packers expect to have Charles Woodson and Clay Matthews back in time for this game, so this could be the first step towards them getting back to their usual form. The Bears have injuries of their own, i.e. Brian Urlacher and Tim Jennings, but they really need this win if they’re hoping to take the NFC North title.

Playoff implications:

The Packers really have an easy schedule other than this game, so this is as close to a must win for Chicago as you’ll find. Assuming Green Bay beats DET, TEN and MIN, the Bears would have to run the table to finish atop the NFC North. If that happens, the Packers will most likely travel to the Giants or Redskins. A Packers win here would almost certainly lock up a home game in the wildcard round of the playoffs against the Giants, Redskins or Seahawks, barring some crazy circumstances.

Cowboys vs Steelers

Dallas has been playing much better in recent weeks, but the schedule seems to favor the Redskins and Giants, so they’ll not only need this game, but they’ll also need some help along the way to any shot at the postseason. Pittsburgh’s win over Baltimore last weekend was huge to say the least. They’re now in a situation where they can gain some ground on the Ravens and possibly walk away with AFC North crown.

Playoff implications:

Let me preface this by pointing out that the Ravens could end up losing their next 3 games (@WAS, DEN, NYG). In which case, a win by the Steelers would move them from No. 6 seed in the AFC to the No. 4 seed and possibly division title if they’re able to walk away with wins over SD, CIN, and CLE. This means that the Ravens or Colts would likely travel to Pittsburgh in the first-round of the playoffs. A loss here would keep the Steelers stuck as the No. 6 seed.

Giants vs Falcons

It’s pretty clear that there are a number of scenarios that could play out for Giants. Atlanta is already in the postseason, so even a loss to New York would still leave them in a great position to secure a bye. The Giants are traveling to Atlanta for this game and they are up against a quality opponent, so this will really be a tough matchup for them.

Playoff implications:

If Washington is able to beat the Ravens in Week 14 and the Browns in Week 15, a Giants loss here either gives the Redskins the ability to control their own destiny or the Seahawks upper hand in securing No. 6 seed.

Week 16

49ers vs Seahawks

The odds are that 49ers will be able to win this game, but the fact it’s in Seattle and the Seahawks have been playing some pretty solid football as of late at least gives them a shot to walk away with huge win in Week 16.

Playoff implications:

Seattle has a very good chance of securing a playoff spot. They have 3 winnable games against ARI, BUF and STL, but a win here and could really shake things up. If the Redskins are able to pull out wins against BAL, CLE, PHI, DAL, a loss here pushed Seattle out of the playoffs unless the Giants and Bears collapse, but a win could push them up to the No. 5 seed. This would force either the Redskins or Giants to miss the playoffs and Green Bay could take over as the No. 2 seed, assuming that there are no huge surprises in other games.

Giants vs Ravens

This game’ implications are related to divisional standings.

Playoff implications:

A Giants win gives them a great shot at taking the NFC East title and a Ravens win does the same for AFC North. Both teams play a number of crucial games, which is why you’ll them listed a few times in this article. They don’t need a lot of wins, but they need at least two to have a shot at securing a home playoff game.

Week 17

Cowboys vs Redskins

Playoff implications:

There are a number of scenarios that can play out over the course of the next 4 weeks, but this game figure to decide the No. 6 seed and more specifically, whether or not the Redskins will be playing in the postseason. A loss here basically gives the Seahawks the final spot in the NFC, assuming that they’re able to take care of ARI, BUF and STL. Otherwise, Washington and Giants would be in the postseason unless the Redskins drop more than one game.

Ravens vs Bengals

Playoff implications:

This game will have a lot to do with the Ravens ability to beat one of the Giants, Broncos or Redskins. If they win two of these games they’re looking at the No. 2 or 3 seed in the AFC. If they only win 1 then they’re fighting for a home playoff game. Baltimore could lose all 4 of their remaining games and still make the playoffs, but they would No. 6 seed in this scenario, assuming that there aren’t any upsets.

Projected Playoffs

AFC:

No. 1 – Houston Texans

No. 2 – Denver Broncos

No. 6 – Indianapolis Colts vs No. 3 – New England Patriots

No. 5 – Baltimore Ravens vs No. 4 – Pittsburgh Steelers

NFC:

No. 1 – Atlanta Falcons

No. 2 – San Francisco 49ers

No. 6 – Washington Redskins vs No. 3 – Green Bay Packers

No. 5 – Chicago Bears vs No. 4 – New York Giants