Sorting out Sunday’s Craziness: Observations from Week 16 and Playoff Scenarios
Dec 22, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) throws a pass during the second quarter of the game against the New Orleans Saints at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
What a wild Week 16 that was. There were some blowouts, upsets, and close finishes, which sets us up for what should be an exciting regular season finale.
Here are some things that stood out on Sunday.
- Just how good is Carolina? Cam Newton, Luke Kuechly, and the Panthers clinched a playoff spot and most likely the NFC South in addition to the 2nd seed in the NFC with their huge win over the Saints. Luke Kuechly is a legitimate candidate for defensive player of the year. He led the Panthers with 24(!) tackles on Sunday.
- Peyton Manning broke Tom Brady’s record for the most touchdown passes in one season, with 51, and he did it in just 15 games.
- Seattle lost at home for the first time in two years. This is Russell Wilson’s first home loss ever in the pros.
- The team that beat Seattle is the Arizona Cardinals, which, by the way, is 10-5. They might be a top four team in the NFC and still need a lot of help to get into the tournament.
- The refs were absolutely atrocious on Sunday. They missed calls during the entire Baltimore-New England game, and the Steelers were on the wrong end of a significant call.
- Indianapolis won a huge road game at Kansas City. Those two teams could meet in the first round of the playoffs.
- Detroit was eliminated from playoff contention after the Giants beat them in overtime on Sunday. They’ve imploded after blowing the Packers out on Thanksgiving.
- All four AFC divisions have been decided (Denver, Cincinnati, New England, and Indianapolis), while none of the NFC divisions have been decided.
NFC Playoff Picture and Scenarios
Right now, in order from 1st to 6th seed, the NFC looks like this: Seattle, Carolina, Philadelphia, Chicago, San Francisco, and New Orleans. Two games are being played for division titles this week: Dallas hosts Philadelphia for the NFC East title and Chicago hosts Green Bay for the North.
Only Seattle and Carolina have clinched playoff berths. No division has been decided yet.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Clinches the NFC West title and home-field advantage throughout playoffs with:
SEA win or tie
OR
one SF loss or tie
CAROLINA PANTHERS
Clinches the NFC South title and a first-round bye with:
CAR win or tie
OR
NO loss or tie
Clinches home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs with:
CAR win + SEA loss + two SF wins
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Clinches the NFC East title with:
PHI win or tie
CHICAGO BEARS
Clinches the NFC North title with:
CHI win or tie
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Clinches the NFC West title and a first-round bye with:
two SF wins + SEA loss
Clinches the NFC West division title and home-field advantage with:
two SF wins + SEA loss + CAR loss or tie
Clinches a playoff berth with:
one SF win
OR
SF tie this week + NO loss
OR
SF tie next week
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Clinches the NFC South title and a first-round bye with:
NO win + CAR loss
Clinches a playoff berth with:
NO win
OR
NO tie + SF loss or tie this week
OR
NO tie + ARI loss or tie
OR
ARI loss
OR
two SF losses
DALLAS COWBOYS
Clinches the NFC East title with:
DAL win
GREEN BAY PACKERS
Clinches the NFC North title with:
GB win
ARIZONA CARDINALS
Clinches a playoff berth with:
ARI win + SF loss this week
OR
ARI win + NO loss or tie
OR
ARI tie + NO loss
AFC Playoff Picture and Scenarios
In the AFC, five out of the six playoff teams have been decided (Denver, Cincinnati, New England, Indianapolis, and Kansas City). The former four have won their respective divisions and the Chiefs are locked in as the fifth seed.
The sixth seed is up for grabs, however, with the Dolphins, Ravens, Chargers, and Steelers all vying for one spot. Miami needs the least help to reach the postseason while Pittsburgh needs the most.
DENVER BRONCOS
Clinches home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs with:
DEN win or tie
OR
NE loss or tie
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Clinches a first-round bye with:
NE win or tie
OR
CIN loss or tie + IND loss or tie
Clinches home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs with:
NE win + DEN loss
CINCINNATI BENGALS
Clinches a first-round bye with:
CIN win + NE loss
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Clinches a first-round bye with:
IND win + NE loss + CIN loss or tie
MIAMI DOLPHINS
Clinches a playoff berth with:
MIA win + BAL loss or tie
OR
MIA win + SD win
OR
MIA tie + BAL loss + SD loss or tie
OR
MIA tie + BAL tie + SD tie
BALTIMORE RAVENS
Clinches a playoff berth with:
BAL win + SD loss or tie
OR
BAL win + MIA loss or tie
OR
BAL tie + MIA loss + SD loss or tie
OR
BAL tie + MIA tie + SD loss
OR
MIA loss + SD loss + PIT loss or tie
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
Clinches a playoff berth with:
SD win + MIA loss or tie + BAL loss or tie
OR
SD tie + MIA loss + BAL loss
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Clinches a playoff berth with:
PIT win + MIA loss + BAL loss + SD loss
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Kansas City is locked in as the fifth seed in the AFC.
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