NFL Playoff Scenarios: What Each Team Needs To Get To The Postseason
By Keith Myers
NFC West
| NFC West Team | W | L | Remaining Opp. |
| Arizona Cardinals | 11 | 3 | Sea, SF |
| Seattle Seahawks | 10 | 4 | AZ, StL |
There are only two teams still alive for playoff spots in the NFC West after San Francisco was eliminated last week. Arizona is the only team in the NFC that has clinched a spot in the playoff, but they’ve yet to clinch their division.
Since Arizona and Seattle play this week, the Cardinals can clinch the NFC West and home field advantage with a win this week. Arizona also has wins over Dallas, Philadelphia and Detroit, and wins a tiebreaker over Green Bay at 12-4 based on strength of victory.
If Arizona loses this week to Seattle, they can still win the division with a win over the 49ers and a Seattle loss to St. Louis in Week 17. In that scenario, the Packers could take the No. 1 seed from Arizona at 12-4 based on the strength of victory tiebreaker.
If Seattle wins their remaining two games, they will win the NFC West. Due to tiebreakers, Arizona will get the top wild card spot in that scenario even if they lose to the 49ers in the final week of the season. The only way Arizona gets dropped to the No. 6 seed is if Detroit and Green Bay play to a tie in the final week of the season, which is extremely unlikely.
Seattle wins any tiebreaking scenario except for a two-way tie with Dallas. Any three-way tie, or a two-way tie with any other playoff team, and Seattle will get the advantage. This helps them greatly in terms of seeding possibilities.
If Seattle wins out and gets to 12 wins, they are guaranteed at least the No. 2 seed. Only Dallas can keep them from getting home-field advantage. Seattle needs Dallas to lose once, or for either Detroit or Green Bay to win out and force a three-way tie at 12-4 in order for the Seahawks to get the No. seed.
If Seattle tops Arizona this week, they can claim the NFC West title with a win or Arizona loss in Week 17. If Seattle loses to Arizona this week, but wins the final week over the Rams, they are almost certain to make the playoffs as the No. 5 seed.
The only way an 11-win Seattle team misses the playoffs requires Philadelphia getting 2 wins and winning the East, plus Dallas winning one and losing one, plus Green Bay and Detroit both winning in Week 16 and then playing to a tie in Week 17.
A 10-win Seattle team would still make the playoffs as long as one of Detroit, Green Bay or Philadelphia also finishes at 10 wins.