NFL 2017/18: Week 14 playoff scenarios
With only four games left to play for each team, the 2017/18 NFL season is entering a critical phase. While some teams are already out of contention for entering the play-offs, there are quite a few teams which are in the reckoning.
Also Read: Top 10 NFL teams entering week 14
Let us take a close look at the various scenarios for the current top six in the AFC and NFC play-offs.
Pittsburgh (10-2) needs a win against the Ravens on Sunday Night Football to win the AFC North. They currently hold the tiebreaker against New England due to better record in common games. The Steelers would also clinch a playoff spot with a win OR losses by LA Chargers, Buffalo and Oakland.
New England (10-2) needs a win OR a Buffalo loss to win the AFC East. The Patriots have a road game against Miami while Buffalo takes on Indianapolis at home. They are also fighting the Steelers for home field throughout the AFC Playoffs, which the Steelers hold the tiebreaker for better record in common games. They would clinch a playoff spot with a win OR losses by LA Chargers, Buffalo and Oakland.
Tennessee (8-4) currently do not hold any scenarios that would give them the division or a playoff spot. They are currently tied with Jacksonville for the AFC South lead and holds the tiebreaker over the Jaguars due to an earlier win between the two teams, they will met again in Week 17.
Kansas City (6-6) is currently on one of the biggest slides since starting at 5-0, going 6-6. They currently hold tiebreakers over LA Chargers and Oakland because of division record.
Jacksonville (8-4) is tied for the AFC South lead with Tennessee, but also lose the tiebreaker due to an earlier loss to the Titans ahead of their Week 17 meeting. They are not in any situation that would give them a playoff spot. They would need to continue to keep up or pass Tennessee to secure a spot.
Baltimore (7-5) holds the final Wild Card spot in the AFC Playoffs, 1 game ahead of LA Chargers, Buffalo and Oakland heading into their Sunday Night game against Pittsburgh. The Ravens need to pull out the win to stay in the division championship picture.
In the AFC Playoff hunt (within 4 games of Baltimore)
LA Chargers (6-6), Buffalo (6-6), Oakland (6-6), NY Jets (5-7), Miami (5-7), Cincinnati (5-7), Houston (4-8)
Minnesota (10-2) holds home field advantage in the NFC Playoffs. For the division, the Vikings need a win OR a Detroit loss. The Vikings currently hold tiebreaker over Philadelphia due to better record in common games, despite winning an earlier meeting between the two teams. For a playoff spot, they need a win AND a Falcons loss.
Philadelphia (10-2) occupies the 2nd divisional spot in the NFC Playoffs. For the NFC East, they need a win OR a Dallas loss. For a playoff spot, they need a win AND a Falcons loss.
LA Rams (9-3) holds the 3rd seed over New Orleans due to an earlier win against the Saints. The Rams have clinched their first winning season since 2003.
New Orleans (9-3) has the final division winning spot due to losing an earlier game to the LA Rams. The Saints are one game ahead of the Panthers in the NFC South.
Seattle (8-4) holding the 1st Wild Card spot over Carolina due to better conference record. They are one game behind the LA Rams for the NFC West and one game ahead of the Falcons in the playoff race.
Carolina (8-4) holding the final spot in the NFC Playoffs due to Seattle having a better conference record. They are currently one game behind New Orleans for the NFC South and one game ahead of the Falcons for the playoffs.
In the hunt for the NFC Playoffs (within 4 games of Carolina)
Atlanta (7-5), Detroit (6-6), Green Bay (6-6), Dallas (6-6), Washington (5-7), Arizona (5-7)