NFL Playoff Picture: How Raiders, Steelers and Cowboys can make postseason
After nearly 16 full weeks, the NFL Playoff picture has almost taken shape but is not decided just yet. How can the Raiders, Steelers and Cowboys still get in?
When the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings take the field to conclude Week 16 on Monday Night Football, two teams already locked into the NFL Playoff picture will be on the field. In fact, as we prepare to head into Week 17, all but two spots in the NFL Playoffs have already been locked up. And while those last two spots are seemingly securely occupied right now, there could still be some drama.
Looking at the AFC in the NFL Playoff picture, the top five teams are locked in, though the seeding of the division winners could change. They currently sit as follows: 1. Baltimore Ravens (13-2), 2. New England Patriots (12-3), 3. Kansas City Chiefs (11-4), 4. Houston Texans (10-5), 5. Buffalo Bills (10-5), 6. Tennessee Titans (8-7).
Of that group, the Titans are the only team not officially in the NFL Playoffs just yet. After the Pittsburgh Steelers lost to the New York Jets in Week 16, however, if Tennessee can beat the Texans in Week 17, they’re in — simple as that. If they lose, they also need the Steelers and either the Indianapolis Colts or Oakland Raiders to lose as well. As for the Steelers and Raiders, their paths are more complicated (more on that in just a moment).
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Eyeing the NFC, here is what the NFL Playoff picture looks like in that conference entering the final week (and prior to Monday night’s contest): 1. San Francisco 49ers (12-3), 2. New Orleans Saints (12-3), 3. Green Bay Packers (11-3), 4. Philadelphia Eagles (8-7), 5. Seattle Seahawks (11-4), 6. Minnesota Vikings (10-4).
The Eagles are the only team whose spot is not locked into place — seeding remains very much up in the air — as, despite their Week 16 win over the Dallas Cowboys, they have not clinched the NFC East just yet. Dallas could still sneak into the playoffs if things go their way in Week 17.
With that in mind, let’s look at the three teams currently outside of the NFL Playoff picture that still have a chance to make the postseason (Steelers, Raiders and Cowboys) and what scenarios they need to punch their ticket to the playoffs. We’ll start with the simplest in Big D.
How the Cowboys can still make the playoffs
For the Dallas Cowboys to make the NFL Playoffs, despite how disappointing they’ve been. They simply need to win in Week 17 against the Washington Redskins and have the Eagles lose to the New York Giants as well. While the 4-11 Giants aren’t a juggernaut, they did play Philly tough just a few weeks ago.
And given the way that the NFC East has gone this season, it might be fitting for Dallas to fall backward into a playoff berth.
How the Steelers can still make the playoffs
Pittsburgh entered Week 16 in the driver’s seat of their own playoff destiny. But with a loss to the Jets — an AFC opponent — they are now behind the Titans in the standing based on the record in conference play tiebreaker. That means that they’ll need to do their part and get a little help to make it into the playoffs.
The Steelers have a good break in their own matchup. In Week 16, the Ravens clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC, meaning that Lamar Jackson and the bulk of the starters should be resting against Pittsburgh, making the win they need easier to come by. However, for Pittsburgh to get in, they also need the Titans to lose to the Texans or their own efforts won’t matter thanks to the loss to New York.
How the Raiders can still make the playoffs
Sitting at 6-8 entering the final week of the regular season, the Raiders needed five things to happen on Sunday for them to still be alive for the playoffs going into the final week of the regular season. And lo and behold, capped off by their win over the Chargers, all five of those things happened.
Of course, it doesn’t stop there as Oakland still needs several more dominos to fall. The Raiders first need to get a win in Denver against the Broncos. That’s the most critical part, naturally. Beyond that, however, Jon Gruden’s club also needs a Colts win over the Jaguars while also needing the Titans to lose to the Texans while the Steelers lose to the Ravens.
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Given that it’s the most complicated, the Raiders’ path to the playoffs is the most unlikely. But it’s been a wild season, so would anyone be shocked if that’s how things played out for Oakland? I didn’t think so.