Post-Week 16 NFL playoff scenarios and predictions

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Dec 8, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson (87) celebrates a touchdown catch with wide receiver Randall Cobb (18) during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 43-37. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

The NFC, as it stands currently:

1. Seattle Seahawks (11-4)

2. Detroit Lions (11-4)

3. Dallas Cowboys (11-4)

4. Carolina Panthers (6-8-1)

5. Green Bay Packers (11-4)

6. Arizona Cardinals (11-4)

In the hunt: Atlanta Falcons (6-9) – for NFC South only. All of the playoff teams have been decided except for the NFC South winner. Atlanta or Carolina will be the fourth seed.

NFC PLAYOFF SCENARIOS

SEATTLE (vs. St. Louis) clinches the NFC West with:

– SEA win

– AZ loss

The Seahawks clinch home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs with:

– SEA win and GB-DET game does not end in a tie

– SEA win

DETROIT (vs. Green Bay) clinches the NFC North with:

– DET win/tie

The Lions clinch a first-round bye with:

– DET win

– DET tie and SEA loss and AZ loss

– DET tie and DAL loss/tie

The Lions clinch the first seed and home-field advantage throughout NFC playoffs with:

– DET win and SEA loss and AZ loss and DAL loss/tie

DALLAS (vs. Washington) clinches a first-round bye with:

– DAL win and SEA loss/tie and AZ loss/tie

– DAL win and GB-DET tie

– SEA loss and AZ loss

– DAL tie and SEA tie and AZ loss/tie and GB-DET does not end in a tie

CAROLINA (vs. Atlanta) clinches the NFC South with:

– CAR win/tie

ATLANTA (vs. Carolina) clinches the NFC South with:

– ATL win

GREEN BAY (vs. Detroit) clinches NFC North and a first round bye with:

– GB win

The Packers clinch home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs with:

– GB win and SEA loss/tie

ARIZONA (vs. San Francisco) clinches the NFC West with:

– AZ win and SEA loss/tie

– AZ tie and SEA loss

The Cardinals clinch home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs with:

– AZ win and SEA loss/tie and GB loss/tie

– AZ tie and SEA loss and DAL loss and GB-DET tie

The Cardinals can clinch the second seed in the NFC with:

– AZ win and SEA loss/tie

– AZ tie and SEA loss and DAL loss/tie

– AZ tie and SEA loss and GB-DET tie

Next: Will Aaron Rodgers be the difference?