Playoff Picture: Week 17
AFC:
1st seed: Kansas City Chiefs (11-4)
2nd seed: New England Patriots (10-5)
3rd seed: Houston Texans (10-5)
4th seed: Baltimore Ravens (9-6)
5th seed: Los Angeles Chargers (11-4)
6th seed: Indianapolis Colts (9-6)
Wildcard:
Indianapolis @ Houston
LA Chargers @ Baltimore
Still alive:
Tennessee (9-6), Pittsburgh (8-6-1)
Eliminated:
Cleveland (7-7-1), Miami (7-8), Denver (6-9), Cincinnati (6-9), Buffalo (5-10), Jacksonville (5-10), NY Jets (4-11), Oakland (4-11)
The AFC playoffs are pretty much a wild bunch. You have Kansas City, New England and even Houston to contend for that Homefield advantage, 1st round bye spot. Baltimore can clinch the AFC North with a win and a Steeler loss or both teams taking the tie. Indianapolis could clinch a playoff berth with a win, a Baltimore loss + Indianapolis tie, or an Indy tie + Steelers loss or tie. A lot of scenarios to look out for.
NFC:
1st seed: New Orleans Saints (13-2)
2nd seed: LA Rams (12-3)
3rd seed: Chicago Bears (11-4)
4th seed: Dallas Cowboys (9-6)
5th seed: Seattle Seahawks (9-6)
6th seed: Minnesota Vikings (8-6-1)
Wildcard:
Minnesota @ Chicago
Seattle @ Dallas
Still alive:
Philadelphia (8-7)
Eliminated:
Washington (7-8), Green Bay (6-8-1), Atlanta (6-9), Carolina (6-9), NY Giants (5-10), Tampa Bay (5-10), Detroit (5-10), San Francisco (4-11), Arizona (3-12)
The NFC playoffs are a bit more defined. Homefield advantage went to the Saints while the division winners are in. The Seahawks are in the playoffs. It comes down to the Vikings and Eagles. The Vikings can clinch the playoffs with a win or tie or an Eagles loss or tie. Philadelphia would have to win and hope for a Vikings loss since the Vikings hold the tiebreaker.
Cool video of the week
While the video is a best-of Midseason video (I couldn't find a full season highlight video), it should still send the message of what was a great and memorable season in the NFL. While there is one more week to go in the season, its fun to look back and see the highlights of what was this season. Enjoy.
Week 17 Picks!
Dallas (9-6) @ NY Giants (5-10) (FOX): TW: Cowboys, CV: Cowboys
The Cowboys got a win against the Buccaneers and the Giants lost to the Colts last week. It would seem fit to pick the Cowboys in the game as they do have a better defense this season and a great running game. I would suspect that Dak Prescott would have to have a great game this week to get to that 10-win mark.
Carolina (6-9) @ New Orleans (13-2) (FOX): TW: Saints, CV: Saints
The Panthers lost to the Falcons and the Saints beat the Steelers last week. The game will have Taylor Heinecke in at quarterback for the Panthers. The Superdome will be a loud environment and communication will be key for the Panthers to win. I don't like their chances to win as the Saints have a great running back tandem, a good pass attack and it doesn't spell well for the Panthers.
Atlanta (6-9) @ Tampa Bay (5-10) (FOX): TW: Falcons, CV: Falcons
The Falcons beat the Panthers and the Buccaneers lost to the Cowboys last week. The two teams look to avoid being in a possible last place in the division. The two teams possess two great pass offenses that use a lot of wide receivers. I feel it will be a shootout. I feel the Falcons will win based on that they have the momentum of a 2-game winning streak going for them.
Detroit (5-10) @ Green Bay (6-8-1) (FOX): TW: Packers, CV: Lions
The Lions lost to the Vikings and the Packers beat the Jets last week. The two teams won't be sniffing the playoffs but the rivalry still exists. The victor will need to control the ball well, not turn it over, and have balance in the offense. If the Packers defense can cause Matthew Stafford to be uncomfortable, they have a shot.
Jacksonville (5-10) @ Houston (10-5) (CBS): TW: Texans, CV: Texans
The Jaguars got a win against the Dolphins and the Texans lost to the Eagles. The Jaguars were a contender in the playoffs come the start of the season but have fallen off the earth. The Texans look legit as a playoff contender. I like the Texans in the game as they do have a solid offense that can put up a lot of yardage and a defense to match any in the NFL. Give me Houston!
NY Jets (4-11) @ New England (10-5) (CBS): TW: Patriots, CV: Patriots
The Jets lost to the Packers and the Patriots beat the Bills last week. The Jets still could play spoiler to a possible 1st round bye that the Patriots are looking for. The idea seems a bit farfetched but it could happen. I feel Bill Belichick will have his guys ready to do battle and be a focused group. A chance to get a bye would mean wonders. Overall I like New England as Tom Brady still is the quarterback and Sony Michel can still put up great numbers.
Miami (7-8) @ Buffalo (5-10) (CBS): TW: Bills, CV: Dolphins
The two teams took losses last week as the Dolphins lost to the Jaguars and the Bills lost to the Patriots. The game will be in Buffalo where the weather could be a factor to the warm weather Dolphins. Football wise, I like Buffalo's running game with Josh Allen playing both a passer and a runner. Bills have a good defense as well. I can't trust the Dolphins enough.
San Francisco (4-11) @ LA Rams (12-3) (FOX): TW: Rams, CV: Rams
The 49ers got a loss against the Bears and the Rams got a win against the Cardinals last week. The Rams have been the golden child of the league this season putting up numbers like crazy while stopping some great offenses as well. The Niners could get a win if the Rams rested their starters but I don't feel that will be the case. An undefeated division record would be a good mark for the Rams this season.
Philadelphia (8-7) @ Washington (7-8) (FOX): TW: Eagles, CV: Eagles
The Eagles got a win against the Texans and the Redskins lost to the Titans last week. The defending champs probably won't sniff the playoffs this season but I feel they will get a winning record after this game is done. Washington hasn't had a lot of success with the quarterback and Josh Johnson will have to have a great game against a banged-up Eagles defense. The Eagles are defending champs and you can never defy the heart of a champion.
Chicago (11-4) @ Minnesota (8-6-1) (FOX): TW: Vikings, CV: Vikings
The two teams got a win last week as the Bears beat the Niners and the Vikings beat the Lions. The game will be a loud one in the Twin Cities. The Bears have not had a lot of luck in Minnesota in recent years and I don't think that will change. Minnesota could have another opportunity to knock off the Bears next week in the Wild Card weekend game. If the Vikings can find success in the running game, they have a great shot to win.
Arizona (3-12) @ Seattle (9-6) (FOX): TW: Seahawks, CV: Seahawks
The Cardinals lost to the Rams and the Seahawks got a win against the Chiefs. The game will depend on if the Cardinals offense can stay on the field as the Seahawks have a legit offense. I can't trust the Cardinals enough to keep up with the Seahawks and to keep the ball safe. The Cardinals could still accidentally win the game.
Cincinnati (6-9) @ Pittsburgh (8-6-1) (CBS): TW: Steelers, CV: Steelers
The two teams lost last week as the Bengals lost to the Browns and the Steelers lost to the Saints. The Steelers are looking to get into the playoffs, the Bengals look to play spoiler to that plan. The Steelers still look like a legit playoff contender with Ben Roethlisberger and his group of wide receivers. The Steelers run game, their bread, and butter of old will need to get a good game as the Bengals will want to play spoiler.
Cleveland (7-7-1) @ Baltimore (9-6) (CBS): TW: Ravens, CV: Ravens
The Browns got a win against the Bengals and the Ravens got a win against the Chargers last week. The game will be a good one. Both teams have quite the good matchup at quarterback. They also have legit offenses. The Ravens defense is still better than the Browns I feel but it will be a close game. I like the Ravens in this one.
Oakland (4-11) @ Kansas City (11-4) (CBS): TW: Chiefs, CV: Chiefs
The Raiders got a win against the Broncos and the Chiefs lost to the Seahawks last week. The Chiefs still have a legit pass offense with Patrick Mahomes. The real question is how well of an effective running game will the Chiefs get this week and beyond. The Chiefs need to get momentum back on their side. The Raiders could play spoiler in the game but I like the Chiefs in the matchup.
LA Chargers (11-4) @ Denver (6-9) (CBS): TW: Chargers, CV: Chargers
The two teams lost last week as the Chargers lost to the Ravens and the Broncos lost to the Raiders. The game will be a huge momentum boost for the Chargers if they win. They will more than likely have to play on the road the rest of the season should they stay at the #5 spot in the AFC playoffs. The Chargers have a good offense, a balanced offense on run and pass. I feel it will depend on how well the Chargers defense can react to the running attack of the Broncos.
Indianapolis (9-6) @ Tennessee (9-6) (NBC): TW: Titans, CV: Colts
The two teams got a win last week as the Colts beat the Giants and the Titans beat the Redskins. The two teams are at 9-6. The winner will get the AFC South title, the loser may possibly make the playoffs but it will depend on the results of the early/late games. The Titans have quite an offensive repertoire that involves running plays from Derrick Henry, Marcus Mariota and Dion Lewis. As well as some pass weapons. It could have an impact if Blaine Gabbert is the starter. Its a toss-up game.
Local TV Schedule (via 506sports.com, subject to change):
CBS Early:
NY Jets @ New England
Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts
CBS Late:
Cleveland @ Baltimore
Jim Nantz, Tony Romo
FOX Early:
Detroit @ Green Bay
Justin Kutcher, Robert Smith, Pat McAfee
FOX Late:
Chicago @ Minnesota
Joe Buck, Troy Aikman
See you guys on Tuesday for the recap of the week's games. Have a happy new year!
-Tom
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