NFL Playoff Picture Going Into Week 17
Now that week 16 is done, the playoff picture becomes somewhat clearer.
With week 17 looming and every team playing a divisional opponent this week, the playoff picture currently looks like this.
According to NFL.com, there are now 14 teams mathematically eliminated from the playoff picture:
- New York Jets
- Tennessee Titans
- Buffalo Bills
- Oakland Raiders
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Cleveland Browns
- Houston Texans
- Detroit Lions
- St. Louis Rams
- New York Giants
- Minnesota Vikings
- Atlanta Falcons
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Washington Redskins
There are 8 teams in the post-season:
- Denver Broncos
- New England Patriots
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Indianapolis Colts
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Seattle Seahawks
- Carolina Panthers
- San Francisco 49ers
Now the remaining 10 teams need help, and here is what they need to get into the post-season:
- Miami Dolphins clinch a playoff spot with a win and Baltimore loss.
- Philadelphia Eagles clinch the NFC East title with a win against Dallas.
- Chicago Bears clinch the NFC North title with a win against Green Bay
- New Orleans Saints clinch the NFC South division and a first-round bye with a win against Tampa Bay, and a Carolina loss to Atlanta. New Orleans also can clinch a playoff spot with a win and an Arizona loss.
- Dallas Cowboys clinch the NFC East title with a win against Philadelphia.
- Arizona Cardinals clinch a playoff spot with a win against San Francisco, and a New Orleans loss or tie.
- Green Bay Packers clinch the NFC North with a win against Chicago.
- Baltimore Ravens clinch a playoff spot with a win against Cincinnati, or losses by San Diego, Miami, and Pittsburgh.
- San Diego Chargers clinch a playoff spot with a win against Kansas City, and a Miami and Baltimore loss.
- Pittsburgh Steelers clinch a playoff spot with a win against Cleveland, and losses by Miami, Baltimore and San Diego.
The playoff picture will be determined once the Philadelphia/Dallas game concludes this Sunday night.