The NFL Playoff Picture Looking Mostly Set

Week 16 isn't over, but it's close to it. With what we now know, most of Week 17 is irrelevant, though there are several games of note that could swing some division titles, and one or two playoff spots.

In the NFC, five teams are in, and where they will be positioned is all that's left to settle. Seattle, with it's win over the Arizona Cardinals, is in control of the NFC West if they win next week. Green Bay and Detroit will play on the field to settle the NFC North. Arizona and the loser of that game would be Wild Cards under this scenario. Dallas is also playoff bound, having won the NFC East. If three division champions finish 12-4 (likely at this point), Seattle has the best conference record, along with Detroit. Dallas is pretty much stuck in third in that tiebreaker. Arizona is likely to get the first Wild Card, if they win their game. The other spot, the NFC South, will be decided on the field in Atlanta, with the Falcons hosting Carolina for that division title. The Eagles were eliminated with this week's loss.

In the AFC, Denver and Cincinnati's game tonight has major playoff implications. Denver can lock up a first round bye with a win, while Cincinnati can clinch a playoff berth with a win. After that's over, we'll move to week 17, where New England clinches home field with a win (if they don't already have it because of a Denver loss tonight). Denver could win home field if they win out and New England loses. Cincinnati and Pittsburgh's game next week will be for the AFC North either way. Indianapolis is in as the AFC South Champions, but can't get a bye now. At the moment, New England, Denver, Indianapolis, and Pittsburgh are in the playoffs, while Cincinnati can clinch with a win in either game, or the right teams losing. San Diego, after their wild win Saturday night, is in control of their destiny as well. Baltimore, Houston, and Kansas City remain alive too.

So, next week's games that actually matter are:

• Carolina @ Atlanta- NFC South title on the line.
• Cleveland @ Baltimore- Baltimore has to win to have a shot at the AFC Wild Card.
• Dallas @ Washington- Dallas can still win a first round bye with a win and help.
• Indianapolis @ Tennessee- Indianapolis can finish third or fourth.
• Detroit @ Green Bay- Who wins the NFC North, and possibly a bye or home field.
• Jacksonville @ Houston- Houston remains alive for the playoffs.
• San Diego @ Kansas City- San Diego is in with a win, while Kansas City needs the win and help.
• Buffalo @ New England- New England wins home field with a win.
• Oakland @ Denver- Denver can win home field with two wins and a New England loss.
• Arizona @ San Francisco- Arizona has a shot at the division yet, and can get the top Wild Card with a win and right combination of results.
• St. Louis @ Seattle- Seattle can win the division, a bye, and even home field.
• Cincinnati @ Pittsburgh- The AFC North title is on the line, as could be Cincinnati's playoff hopes.

In other words, most of the schedule has some value.

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NFL Playoffs? You're Talking About Playoffs?

So with two games left in the NFL season, here's what we know:

• In the AFC, New England, Denver, and Indianapolis clinched their divisions today, and are in. They currently slot in that order.
• If the playoffs started now, Cleveland would win the AFC North crown, and their division rivals Pittsburgh and Baltimore would be in. Kansas City, San Diego, Buffalo, Houston, Miami, and Cleveland are alive, in that order.
• In the NFC, Arizona is in. They can not miss the Wild Card no matter what.
• Detroit leads the North, Dallas the East, and Carolina the South, and slot in that order.
• Seattle and Green Bay are the Wild Cards, in that order, with Philadelphia still alive. San Francisco was eliminated today. New Orleans and Atlanta can still win the South.

In the AFC North Battle Cincinnati finishes with Denver at home and in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh gets Kansas City and Cincinnati at home. Baltimore gets to go to Houston, then host Cleveland. Cleveland gets to go to Carolina and Baltimore.

In the other AFC Wild Card hopefuls schedule, Kansas City gets to go to Pittsburgh and host San Diego. San Diego gets to go to San Francisco and Kansas City. Buffalo goes to Oakland and New England. Houston hosts Baltimore and host Jacksonville. Miami hosts Minnesota and the Jets. 

In the NFC, Arizona finishes with a home game with Seattle and a trip to San Francisco. Detroit goes to Chicago and Green Bay. Dallas plays Indianapolis at home, then goes to Washington. Carolina hosts Cleveland and goes to Atlanta. Seattle goes to Arizona and hosts St. Louis. Green Bay goes to Tampa and hosts Detroit. Philadelphia goes to Washington and New York. New Orleans has to play tomorrow night against Chicago, then hosts Atlanta, and closes with a game at Tampa. Atlanta goes to New Orleans and then faces Carolina at home.

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NFL Power Rankings, Through Week Ten

Here's my updated NFL Power Rankings:

1. New England- (7-2)- The Pats have impressed lately.
2. Denver- (7-2)- I'd have put them one if not for the loss to the Patriots.
3. Arizona- (8-1)- They've been great, but an early loss to Denver and a back-up QB worry me.
4. Detroit- (7-2)- They get the nod at #4 for a good record and a good defense.
5. Philadelphia- (7-2)- I'm surprised they're this good, but the defense keeps getting better.
6. Kansas City- (6-3)- Seriously, they haven't lost in a hot minute, and they've surrendered 151 points this year. Absurd.
7. Seattle- (6-3)- For all of their "struggles," they are well positioned for a run at a repeat.
8. Indianapolis- (6-3)- After a horrible start, they're on fire. 
9. Green Bay- (6-3)- I'm a believer in Rodgers when the money's down. So are the Bears now.
10. Dallas- (7-3)- I don't believe in Tony Romo, but I do believe in an offensive line. Still, I think they fold.
11. Cleveland- (6-3)- They've been better than anyone expected. They don't give up points.
12. San Diego- (5-4)- I just can't figure this team out. They might get hot and win it all, they might just fold.
13. San Francisco- (5-4)- This team is about to get healthier and have their full defense back. Can they make another run?
14. Cincinnati- (5-3-1)- This team is disappointing, especially in big games.
15. Pittsburgh- (6-4)- I think this team will make a big run at the end and get in, but that was ugly on Sunday.
16. Baltimore- (6-4)- This team is plus 80 on the season, scoring wise, and should be better than it is.
17. Buffalo- (5-4)- For some reason, I like this team's chances to make a run yet.
18. Miami- (5-4)- Inconsistency drives me crazy.
19. New Orleans- (4-5)- This is first place in the NFC South. Wow.
20. Houston- (4-5)- They're much improved by better coaching.
21. Minnesota- (4-5)- I'm surprised this team is this good.
22. Carolina- (3-6-1)- This might be the biggest disappointment in the league.
23. New York Giants- (3-6)- This team might be the worst to watch in the league.
24. Washington- (3-6)- Colt McCoy, all day. Just do it.
25. Atlanta- (3-6)- The good news is a second straight good pick.
26. St. Louis- (3-6)- Props for trying to compete without their QB this year. They still suck.
27. Chicago- (3-6)- What a disgrace. Did you watch Sunday night?
28. Tennessee- (2-7)- They're just bad forever at this point.
29. New York Jets- (2-8)- That this isn't the bottom is disturbing.
30. Tampa- (1-8)- If I call them a disgrace, is that too nice?
31. Jacksonville- (1-9)- By points differential, the worst team in the league.
32. Oakland- (0-9)- What's the point? At least they don't lose their bye weeks.

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