It’s almost the end of the NFL Regular Season, and that can only mean one thing: playoff races. A lot of things are uncertain this year, and we will show the potential impact of every game. With a little help from fivethirtyeight and ESPN’s Playoff Machine, here we go!
AFC
Tennessee Titans
Best case scenario, they win out, and the Steelers don’t win another game. Doing so would eliminate the Texans, as they play twice. However, I highly doubt that will happen. I expect them to split against Houston, and lose against the Saints. This leaves them as the seventh best AFC team, and the first team out.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers have a simple task: win two of their last 3. They’d especially like a win against Buffalo, because that could give them the 5 seed. They may also get help from their archrivals, because if Baltimore beats Cleveland next week, they will have clinched the top seed, which should result in the Steelers going up against their B team in the regular season finale. I think that they can win out and claim the fifth seed.
Buffalo Bills
If they can beat the Steelers tonight, they should have the 5 seed locked up. If not, they will likely finish 10-6. Is this enough to give them the 6 seed? Barring a home loss against the Jets, they should be fine.
Houston Texans
The Texans are an odd team. They went from beating the Patriots to losing to Denver. The question is which version of this team we will see in these two showdowns with Tennessee. Splitting the Titans as well as beating Tampa Bay would give the Texans a 10-6 record as well as a playoff berth.
Kansas City Chiefs
After a win in New England, Kansas City should be able to win their final three, against Denver, Chicago, and the Chargers. If they do this and the Patriots lose at least once, they will have a bye. The Patriots highest chance of losing would be vs the Bills, which probably won’t happen if the Bills lose tonight.
New England Patriots
They only need to win out against weak competition to secure a first round bye. They have a very slim chance at the top seed, but unless the Ravens lose twice, that won’t happen.
Baltimore Ravens
Having already clinched a bye, they only need to win once to secure the top see.
NFC
Philadelphia Eagles
Philly has to win more games than Dallas to win the division. They have no shot at a wild card berth.
Los Angeles Rams
For the Rams to make the playoffs, they must win out, and the Seahawks must lose twice. However, Seattle has two easy games, and LA must beat the Niners on the road. The defending NFC champs will likely watch the playoffs at home.
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikes are hanging on to the 6 seed. Two wins and a Rams loss gets them in, as well as winning out. I think the former is more likely to happen. Winning out may also get them to the 5 seed or the 3 seed, depending on what happens with Green Bay and/or Seattle. If the Packers lose twice, then Minnesota has the third seed. Also, if Seattle lose two or more games, the Vikings will claim the 5 seed.
Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks are coming off of a tough loss to the Rams. However, if they win against the Niners in Week 17, their chances of a first round bye skyrocket to the 75%. It will be 100% if they win out. However, I think that San Francisco wins that showdown, leaving the 12-4 Seahawks in the 5 seed.
Dallas Cowboys
Beating the Eagles in Week 16 combined with another win or another Philly loss will give Dallas a division title. This seems to be the likeliest scenario.
Green Bay Packers
The Packers would clinch the division if they beat Minnesota next week. If not, they would still clinch if they win their other two games.
New Orleans Saints
The Saints clinched their division a long time ago. Winning out on a relatively easy schedule would give them a bye. They would only get the top seed if San Francisco loses twice. They do have a game against Seattle, but two easy games as well.
San Francisco 49ers
The Niners only need two more wins to clinch the NFC’s top seed, but one of those wins must be Seattle. If not, they’ll slip all the way down to the 5 seed.
