The NFL playoff picture became clearer after Sunday’s Week 17 slate. Still, the two open spots — and how teams are seeded — will be determined in Week 18.
Pro Football Talk breaks it down succinctly.
The AFC’s Game of Thrones (Throwns?)
In the AFC, three teams are alive for the last playoff spot.
The circumstances are as follows:
- Denver needs a win or a tie
- Miami needs a win and a Denver loss
- Cincinnati needs a win, a Denver loss, and a Miami loss or tie
While the Broncos are hosting Kansas City, the game might not be as difficult as it would be if it meant anything at all to the Chiefs.
It doesn’t.
Kansas City has clinched everything it can. They are the number-one seed in the AFC and have secured home-field advantage. However, these games are always rife with questions about what the team with nothing to play for is obligated to do.
Are the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs expected to play Patrick Mahomes, Isiah Pacheco, Travis Kelce, and Chris Jones?
Mahomes has been dealing with an ankle sprain. Pacheco hurt his ribs against Pittsburgh on Christmas Day. Kelce is 35. Jones has a calf strain.
Head coach Andy Reid would be stupid to play them. And he’s not under any obligation to do so.
Miami is playing the Jets. Cincinnati is in Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh needs to win its game over Cincinnati and hope Cleveland beats Baltimore. The Browns benching Jameis Winston for Dorian Thompson-Robinson makes their capitulation clear.
If Baltimore somehow loses, the Steelers win the AFC North.
Nobody wants to play the Bengals and Joe Burrow in the playoffs. As terrible as Cincinnati’s defense is, they’re like a hulking boxer who can be hit at will but has the knockout punch to send their opponent into space. They would play Buffalo if they get the last spot.
Indianapolis’ incomprehensible loss to the Giants dropped them from contention.
The NFC and Wins and Ins
The Monday Night Football matchup between Detroit and San Francisco means nothing in the cosmic scheme. Even if Detroit loses, they can still win the NFC North and the number one seed by beating Minnesota in Week 18.
The Vikings’ win over Green Bay raised their record to 14-2. Whoever wins the Vikings-Lions game wins the division and the top seed.
Atlanta’s Sunday Night Football overtime loss to Washington clinched a playoff spot for the Commanders and left the Falcons in need of help. If Tampa Bay beats New Orleans, they win the NFC South. If Tampa loses and Atlanta beats Carolina, the Falcons win the division.
The NFC South champ gets the fourth seed and will play either Detroit or Minnesota at home.
NFL Playoff Picture and Gauging Effort
How hard are teams with nothing to play for going to try? Kansas City sitting its stars would make their intentions clear. That is the challenge for people thinking about who will win, who will lose, and by how much.
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