Well,
Playoffs start next week in the NFL, and there is so much up for grabs this week. Four AFC Teams and all 6 NFC teams have clinched playoff spots. That leaves two up for grabs in the AFC and none in the NFC. However, there are still Bye weeks and Home Field to be determined in the NFC. Here's the Breakdown for what each team needs. Let's start in the NFC East, our easiest division to determine, and we'll work our way to the AFC West.
NFC East Philadelphia Eagles: Has clinched a playoff berth and the NFC East Title and will host Tampa Bay in Round 1
NFC Central Chicago Bears: Has clinched a playoff berth and can clinch the NFC Central title and a first round bye with 1) a win or tie, or 2) a Green Bay loss or tie. Chicago can also clinch home field advantage throughout the playoffs if a win and a St. Louis Loss.
Green Bay Packers: Has clinched a playoff berth and can clinch a division title plus the Round 1 bye with a win and a Chicago loss. They have no shot at home field, so this scenerio would give St. Louis home field.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tampa has clinched a playoff spot, and will play Philadelphia on the road in Round 1.
NFC West St. Louis Rams: Has clinched the NFC West title and a 1st round bye. They can clinch home field advantage with a Win or tie, or a Chicago loss or tie.
San Francisco 49ers: Has clinched a playoff berth. They will recieve either the 4th or 5th seed. If they win and the Packers lose, they'll play the Packers in S. F. If they win and the Packers win, they'll play in Green Bay. If they lose and the Packers win, as well as Chicago, then San Francisco will play in Green Bay. If they lose and the Packers win while the Bears lose, then San Francisco will go to Chicago for round 1.
AFC East New England Patriots: New England has clinched a playoff berth and cans clinch the division with 1) a win, or 2) a Tie and a Miami loss or tie, or 3) if Miami and the Jets both lose. They can clinch the #2 seed and a first round bye with 1) a win plus an Oakland loss, or 2) a Tie and Miami and Oakland both lose or tie.
Miami Dolphins: Miami has clinched a playoff berth and can win the division with a win plus a New England loss or tie, or with a tie and a New England loss. They can clinch the bye with 1) a win plus a New England loss or tie, or 2) with a tie plus a New England loss and an Oakland tie or loss.
New York Jets: The Jets control their own playoff destiny and can clinch a playoff berth with 1) a win or a tie or 2) a Seattle loss or tie.
AFC Central Pittsburgh Steelers: Pittsburgh's got it made. They can mail it in this week, 'cuz they already have the AFC Central title, and Home Field throughout the AFC playoffs.
Baltimore Ravens: The Ravens can clinch a playoff berth with 1) a win or a tie, or 2) a Seattle loss or te, or 3) a Jets loss.
AFC West Oakland Raiders: Oakland has clinched the division and can clinch the #2 spot with 1) a win plus a Miami loss or tie, or 2) a win plus a New England win, or 3) a tie plus Miami and New England both losing.
Seattle Seahawks: Seattle can clinch a playoff berth with 1) a win and a Jets loss, or 2) a win and a Baltimore loss.
So, that should tell you right there how your team is gonna do, if you're wondering. The teams out of contention for the playoffs are
Arizona, Atlanta, Buffalo, Carolina, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Minnesota, New Orleans, New York Giants, San Diego, Tennessee and Washington. Well, if you've got any questions about it, feel free to ask, but that should be accurate, 'cuz I checked myself against ESPN's playoff scenerios. I'm anxious to see what happens. Here's my picks: The star means it's already been clinched.
AFC Playoffs:
1 (AFC Home Field & Week 1 Bye) AFC Central Champs: Steelers*
2 (Week 1 Bye) AFC East Champs: Patriots
3 (Week 1 Home game) AFC West Champs: Raiders
4 (Wild Card Home game) Dolphins
5 (Wild Card Road game) Ravens
6 (Road team throughout AFC Playoffs) Jets
NFC Playoffs
1 (NFC Home Field & Week 1 Bye) NFC West Champs: Rams
2 (Week 1 Bye) NFC Central Champs: Bears
3 (Week 1 Home Game) NFC East Champs: Eagles*
4 (Wild Card Home Game) Packers
5 (Wild Card Road game) 49ers
6 (Road team throughout AFC Playoffs) Tampa Bay*
My Super Bowl pick: St. Louis over the Patriots. We'll see how I fare, huh?
In Him,
† <>< Stephen