Week 16 in the NFL is usually a bit more crystalized than it is this season. The parity throughout the league (other than at the very top) seems to have kept just about every team in the league still in
Week 16 in the NFL is usually a bit more crystalized than it is this season. The parity throughout the league (other than at the very top) seems to have kept just about every team in the league still in the playoff hunt. With 16 games lined up this weekend, almost all of them have playoff implications. Here’s a list of all 16 from least important to the most crucial, in terms of playoff scenarios.
16. Tennessee at Jacksonville – None.
15. Tampa Bay at St. Louis – Zip.
14. Cleveland at New York Jets – Nada.
13. Oakland at San Diego – The Chargers (7-7) still have a sliver of hope for the final AFC Wild Card, but they need the red-hot Dolphins to lose their final two games to have any chance. San Diego is about a 20 to 1 shot to make it, but that one becomes a zero if they lose to the Raiders.
12. Minnesota at Cincinnati – The Bengals (9-5) could be as high as the 2-seed, or out of the playoffs completely. But if they handle their business against the Vikings, they essentially clinch a playoff berth.
11. Atlanta at San Francisco – The 49ers (10-4) haven’t technically clinched a playoff spot yet, but they’re all but in. All that’s to be determined is which Wild Card spot and if they play either the NFC North or East champ.
10. Denver at Houston – The Broncos (11-3) control their own destiny for the 1-seed and home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs. They need to win out to hold off New England and Kansas City, who can each still claim the top spot.
9. New York Giants at Detroit – After losing to the Ravens last week, the Lions don’t control their own fate and they must win the division to get in. Wins over the Giants and Vikings next week give them a good chance, but they’ll need help.
8. Pittsburgh at Green Bay – The Steelers (6-8) are actually not yet eliminated, but they, like the Chargers, need the Dolphins to lose out and then about 30 other things to happen. The Packers (7-6-1) are very much alive in the NFC North race and actually control their own destiny. Wins over the Steelers and Bears next week clinch the division for Green Bay, although Aaron Rodgers still won’t play this week.
7. Indianapolis at Kansas City – Both the Colts (9-5) and Chiefs (11-3) have clinched playoff spots and will most likely play each other in the Wild Card round, but Kansas City can still get the top seed if Denver drops a game.
6. Arizona at Seattle – The Cardinals (9-5) control their fate and will make the playoffs with two wins, but one of those will have to be in Seattle (12-2). Not likely, but the Cards will certainly be the hungrier of the two and should have Larry Fitzgerald (concussion) on the field.
5. Dallas at Washington – Amazingly, the Cowboys (7-7) still control their destiny. A win over the Redskins (3-11) sets up an all-or-nothing showdown in Week 17 with the Eagles for NFC East supremacy, if you can call it that.
4. Miami at Buffalo – After everything they’ve been through this season, a pair of wins for the Dolphins (8-6) over the Bills and Jets next week would lock up the 6-seed. Buffalo (5-9) won’t have QB E.J. Manuel, so Miami has a good chance to keep rolling.
3. Chicago at Philadelphia – If the Cowboys lose to the Redskins, the Eagles (8-6) can clinch the division with a victory. If the Cowboys beat the Redskins, this game becomes completely meaningless to Philadelphia and they could theoretically rest all their starters and look to the Week 17 showdown with Dallas. For the Bears (8-6), they can clinch the 3-seed in the NFC with a pair of wins over the Eagles and Packers next week. But a loss this week would then require some help to get in, even with a win over Green Bay.
2. New England at Baltimore – This game is always fun, but the playoff implications make it especially interesting. The Patriots (10-4) can still get the 1-seed and are holding off the Bengals for the 2-seed, but they have just about clinched the AFC East. The Ravens (8-6) are currently on the outside of the playoff bubble, but they could still claim the AFC North title. A loss this week to the Pats would mean they’d have to beat the Bengals in Week 17 and still get plenty of help, but a win would give them a better than 50 percent shot at getting back to the postseason.
1. New Orleans at Carolina – This game will more than likely determine the NFC South champion. Both teams are almost certainly in the playoffs, but the first-round bye and a home game are the prizes still at stake. The Saints (10-4) are just 3-4 on the road this year, while a perfect 7-0 at home. The Panthers (10-4) are 4-3 on the road and 6-1 at home. A playoff home game in the Divisional Round would be huge for both in their attempts to at least get to the NFC Championship Game for a shot at a Super Bowl bid.
