A breakdown of the NFL Playoff Picture heading into Week 17 along with the top three matchups to watch
While only two of the 12 playoff spots are still up for grabs in the NFL, there is still so much left to be determined in terms of seeding for the playoffs.
We know how important seeding is in the NFL playoffs, too. It can be the difference between a Super Bowl and losing in the first round.
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Take the 2013-14 Seattle Seahawks for example.
The Seahawks have the best home field advantage in the entire NFL, and they were the best team last season. Imagine, though, if they didn’t have home field and had to travel to Carolina and San Francisco in the playoffs last season. Do the Seahawks still win the Super Bowl?
It’s impossible to know for sure, but with how tough Carolina always plays the Seahawks and how good that NFC Championship was against the 49ers last season, I think there’s very good chance Seattle could have lost in the playoffs.
That’s the difference we’re talking about.
Here’s how the NFL playoff picture looks heading into Week 17, according to NFL.com:
In the AFC, New England has already clinched the top spot and home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Denver has clinched the AFC West division and will clinch the two-seed with a win over Oakland.
Cincinnati and Pittsburgh meet in Week 17 to decide who wins the division and who will be the third- and fifth-seeds. Indianapolis is locked in the fourth-seed.
If San Diego wins, they’re in as the final wildcard berth, but if they lose that opens the door for Baltimore, Houston, and Kansas City to try to snag that last spot.
In the NFC, it’s a bit more complicated because there are five teams with 11-4 records right now.
Here are the scenarios:
If Seattle wins, the Seahawks secure home field advantage. If they lose AND Arizona loses, Seattle falls to the third-seed.
If Seattle and Arizona lose, Detroit has to beat Green Bay to get the top seed. If they beat Green Bay, the Lions secure the second-seed, regardless of Seattle or Arizona. If the Lions lose, they fall to the sixth-seed. The same goes for the Green Bay Packers.
Dallas can’t get the one-seed and home field, but they can get the two-seed if Seattle and Arizona lose. If the Cowboys beat Washington, Dallas gets the third-seed, at least.
The winner of Carolina-Atlanta gets the fourth-seed, unfortunately.
If Seattle and Green Bay lose and Arizona wins, the Cardinals can get the top seed in the playoffs. If Seattle wins, the Cardinals will be the fifth-seed.
I think that’s everything! Think you can remember it all? Oh, and I didn’t include all the situations if every team tied this week. While it’s possible, it’d be a waste of your time to read through all of those scenarios.
You don’t have to, that’s what the internet is for; however, you will want to watch these three can’t-miss Week 17 games, though!
Next: The Battle for the AFC South