Week 16 remains to be completed, with the Vikings playing tonight against the Bears in a game that has greater significance because of New Orleans' loss. With New Orleans losing again, the Vikings still have a chance, although small, to grab home field through the playoffs, while plenty of the rest of the NFL Playoff scenario is also still in the air.
The NFL playoff scenario for the NFC division shows the following:
North: Vikings (11-3): Clinched the division. One win necessary for a first round bye, but continue to seek home-field in the playoffs. Next: at Chicago (Monday night), home vs. Giants (next week).
South: Saints (13-2): Clinched their division and a first-round bye. Need a win for home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Their last two games have exposed their weaknesses. Next: at Panthers.
East: Eagles (11-4) or Cowboys (10-5): The division title will be settled next week at Dallas as the two play.
West: Cardinals (10-5): Clinched division and wild-card home game. Recovered after a stumble out of the gate this season. Next: vs. Packers.
NFL playoff scenario for NFC wild card
- Eagles (11-4): Clinched at least a wild card. Next: at Cowboys, for the division title, as mentioned above.
- Packers (10-5): Sunday's 48-10 victory over Seattle clinched a wild card. Next: at Arizona.
- Cowboys: (10-5): Clinched at least a wild card by beating the Redskins. Hosting the Eagles, for the division title, as mentioned above.
NFL playoff scenario for AFC divisions
North: Bengals (10-5): Clinched a playoff spot. Next: at N.Y. Jets.South: Colts (14-1): Forget the perfect season, but a healthy Peyton Manning is far more important. Already have the first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout AFC playoffs, so why risk him? Next: at Buffalo.
East: Patriots (10-5): Clinched a playoff spot. Next: at Houston.
West: Chargers (12-3): A first-round bye. Assuming all goes as planned, a showdown at Indy in the AFC Championship game on Jan. 24. Next: home vs. Washington.
NFL playoff secnario for the AFC wild card
The AFC is full of 8-7 teams, and thus have a much more diverse set of NFL playoff scenarios for week 17.
- Jets (8-7): They control their own destiny. If they win, they are in. They have to thank Indy for resting Manning. Next: home vs. Bengals.
- Ravens (8-7): Once again, another team that controls its destiny. They're in the playoffs with a win next week. Next: at Raiders.
- Broncos (8-7): A finale in Kansas City. Count it as a probable win, but need help. Loss to Pittsburgh hurts if a tiebreaker. Next: at Chiefs.
- Steelers (8-7): Have a tiebreaker edge by beating the Ravens and Broncos. Next: at Dolphins.
- Texans (8-7): A meaningless game for their opponents, the Patriots. Have to get some help. Next: home vs. Patriots.
Written by Michael Santo
HULIQ.com
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