Week 17 Playoff Scenarios: It All Comes Down to This
The final week of the 2014 NFL season is upon us, and while many of the playoff spots have already been decided, there is still plenty of room for a shake up on Sunday. Playoff spots in both conferences are still up for grabs, while the AFC North and NFC South titles have yet to be determined. Here’s a look at different ways the dust could settle on Sunday.
AFC
Broncos
The Broncos lost the chance to secure home-field throughout the AFC playoffs after losing to the Bengals last night, but still control their own destiny for the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye. They can clinch it in one of these ways:
1. A win or tie
2. A Bengals loss
3. A Bengals tie AND a Colts win
Bengals
The Bengals claimed a playoff spot with their win over the Broncos on Monday, and can clinch the AFC North with a win or tie this week. The can also set themselves up for a first-round bye in two different scenarios:
1. A win AND a Broncos loss or tie
2. A tie AND a Broncos loss AND Colts loss or tie
Steelers
The Steelers have already punched their ticket to the playoffs, but can do one better this week, as a win against the Bengals gets them the AFC North crown.
Chargers
The Chargers have slipped a bit recently, but still control their own playoff destiny, qualifying for the postseason in one of these ways:
1. A win
2. A tie AND a Ravens loss or tie
Ravens
The Ravens still have a shot at the playoffs, but will need some help, as they will make it in one of two scenarios:
1. A win AND a Chargers loss or tie
2. A tie AND a Chargers loss
Chiefs, Texans
The Chiefs are on the outside looking in right now, needing a few things to go right to make the playoffs. They need to win AND have the Ravens lose AND have the Texans lose or tie.
The Texans are in a similar situation, requiring outside help in order to qualify for the postseason. They’ll need to win AND have the Ravens lose AND have the Chargers lose, otherwise, they’re out.
NFC
Cowboys
The Cowboys, who won their first NFC East crown since 2009, can clinch home-field throughout the NFC playoffs with a win AND a Cardinals loss or tie AND a tie in the Lions-Packers game. Dallas can secure a first-round bye in one of the following ways:
1. A win AND a Seahawks loss or tie AND a Cardinals loss or tie
2. A win AND a tie between the Lions and Packers
3. A tie AND a Seahawks loss AND a Cardinals loss
4. A tie AND a Seahawks loss AND a Cardinals loss or tie AND if Lions-Packers doesn’t end in a tie
Lions
The Lions secured a playoff berth after the Eagles lost last week, and are still alive for the NFC North, a first-round bye, and home-field throughout the NFC playoffs. They can clinch the NFC North with a win or tie against the Packers on Sunday, while they can clinch home-field in one of these two scenarios:
1. A win AND a Seahawks loss or tie AND a Cardinals loss or tie
2. A tie AND a Seahawks loss AND a Cardinals loss AND a Cowboys loss or tie
The Lions can grab a first-round bye in one of these ways:
1. A win
2. A tie AND a Cowboys loss or tie
3. A tie AND a Seahawks loss AND a Cardinals loss
Packers
The Packers showdown with the Lions is a big one, as the Packers can clinch the NFC North with a win. They can also secure home-field throughout the NFC playoffs with a win AND a Seahawks loss or tie.
Seahawks
The defending Super Bowl champs put themselves in the driver’s seat in the NFC with their win over the Cardinals on Sunday night. Seattle can now clinch the NFC West in one of these scenarios:
1. A win
2. A tie AND a Cardinals loss or tie
3. A Cardinals loss
The Seahawks can also make sure they play all of their NFC playoff games at CenturyLink Field with these outcomes.
1. A win AND Lions-Packers doesn’t end in a tie
2. A win AND a Cowboys loss or tie
3. A tie AND a Cardinals loss or tie AND a Cowboys loss or tie AND a Lions-Packers tie
Even without securing home-field, the Seahawks can clinch a first-round bye in three ways:
1. A win
2. A tie AND a Cardinals loss or tie AND a Cowboys loss
3. A tie AND a Cardinals loss or tie AND A Lions-Packers tie
Cardinals
The Cardinals already secured their place in the playoffs, but made it tough on themselves for getting a higher seed by losing to the Seahawks on Sunday. The can still win the NFC West, but will need some help, as they will clinch it in one of these scenarios:
1. A win AND a Seahawks loss or tie
2. A tie AND a Seahawks loss
The Cardinals can also clinch home-field throughout the NFC playoffs if a few different things go their way:
1. A win AND a Seahawks loss or tie AND a Packers loss or tie
2. A tie AND a Seahawks loss AND a Cowboys loss AND a Lions-Packers tie
Arizona could secure a first-round bye as well, which would be a bit simpler than getting home-field:
1. A win AND a Seahawks loss or tie
2. A tie AND a Seahawks AND a Cowboys loss or tie
3. A tie AND a Seahawks loss AND a Lions-Packers tie
Panthers, Falcons
The Panthers and Falcons play at Atlanta on Sunday, and the result is very simple. If the Panthers win or tie, they clinch the NFC South, while the Falcons will take it with a win. The Saints have as many wins as their NFC South brethren, but are out of playoff contention due to tiebreakers.
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