3 NFL teams that will fail to clinch a playoff berth late 2022 season

Competing for the NFL playoffs is the focus of franchises throughout the league every year. After an interesting weekend of football in Week 15, six teams walked away with a secure spot in the post-season bracket. As teams prepare to battle for their Super Bowl hopes, which teams should we expect to come a few inches shy of clinching a berth?

NFL Team #3 New York Jets (7-7)

Remaining Games: Dolphins, Seahawks, Jaguars

Remaining Strength of Schedule: (.500)

Standings in the AFC are tight, forcing teams outside of the current playoff picture to make significant improvements to better their odds. Robert Saleh and the Jets were one of the playoff favorites for many analysts after an explosive 5-2 start. Losses to the Vikings, Bills, and Lions placed the Jets two spots shy of entering the playoffs.

Putting points to the board has been an issue for Mike LaFleur’s offense, and it is costing the franchise games. New York has scored twenty or more points once in the last five games – forcing the defense into tight situations late in games. This season, LaFleur’s offense ranks 19th in yards per game (336.9) and 22nd in points per game (20.1). Contributions from Mike White helped the Jets show glimpses of their potential until a rib injury forced Zach Wilson back into the starting lineup.

The pressure will be on Wilson to lead the Jets to the promised land. Games against the Dolphins, Seahawks, and Jaguars will provide the Jets enough conference games (2) to make strides towards clinching a remaining seed. Victories against Jacksonville and New England will give the Jets a 7-5 conference record – with a shot to knock the Dolphins out of the playoff picture.

Winning the remaining games on the schedule is easier said than done for Saleh’s squad. The Jets are a great defensive team, but they need a quarterback that will help put points on the board in urgent situations. Stealing the seventh seed from the Dolphins would require Miami to lose their remaining conference games against the Patriots and Jets, which is unlikely in my eyes. Clinching the playoffs will be an uphill battle, and the Jets may have to wait until next season.

Washington Commanders (7-6)

Remaining Games this Season: 49ers, Cowboys and Browns.

Remaining Strength of Schedule: 8th (.619)

Clinching a playoff berth in the NFC will require franchisees to play well in the closing weeks. Three of the four division winners are confirmed, and seeds are still available. Ron Rivera and the Commanders currently hold the final spot in the conference playoff bracket. Washington’s conference record (4-5-1) must improve to stay ahead of the Seahawks, Lions, and Packers in the playoff picture. Games against the Cowboys, 49ers, and Browns will serve as a test for Taylor Heinicke and company.

A 32-21 win against the Eagles in Week 10 was the catalyst for an impressive winning streak. Victories against the Texans and Falcons helped the Commanders recover from a 1-4 start to begin the season. As we enter the final weeks of the season, the Commanders find themselves in a win-or-go-home situation. Rivera’s squad will take on two of the top-ranked defenses to close out the season, providing Heinicke an opportunity to add more accolades in a season where he surpassed expectations. Washington ranks 24th in points per game (18.9) and 20th in passing yards (2,920) and will need No.4 to perform at a high level.

Defeating the Cowboys and the 49ers will be difficult, but the Commanders could pull it off. A loss to either team will hurt Washington’s chances of securing the Seventh seed in the NFC. The Lions and Seahawks are looking to close in on the Commanders in the standings with lower upcoming strength of schedule. Washington must finish the season on a three-game win streak or receive help from franchises taking on Detroit and Seattle, making their playoff odds slimmer as the season progresses.

Seattle Seahawks (7-7)

Remaining Games this Season:  Chiefs, Jets, and Rams

Remaining Strength of Schedule: (.452)

Clinching a playoff berth would be a perfect way for Geno Smith to finish an impressive regular season. When Seattle sent their Pro Bowl quarterback to Denver in the offseason, Smith dedicated himself to winning the starting job. Seattle’s impressive 6-3 start to the beginning of the new campaign made the Seahawks the favorites to win the NFC. Losses to the Buccaneers, Raiders, Panthers, and 49ers positioned Seattle outside of the playoff picture. As the regular season winds down, will the Seahawks find enough strength to clinch the NFL postseason?

The fight to clinch a wildcard spot in the NFC is rough, leaving teams with little room for error in the upcoming weeks. Pete Carrol and his squad are one of the franchises aiming for perfection to advance their season. Matchups against the Chiefs, Jets, and Rams will force the birds to play their best football, starting with No.7. This season, Seattle ranks ninth in total passing yards (3,381) and passing yards per game (241.5). Success in the air leads to more points on the board for Shane Waldron’s squad. His offense ranks seventh in points per game (25.4) and will need to score points against their upcoming opponents.

Defeating the Chiefs and Jets to close the season could be too much for Carroll’s squad. Limiting Patrick Mahomes’ production on Christmas Eve would be a miracle for Seahawks fans anxious to support their team in the second half of the season. The Seahawks rank sixteenth in passing yards allowed (3,048) – making the odds of defeating No.15 less likely.

A Week 17 exhibition game against the New York Jets will force Geno Smith to play his best game of the season. Sauce Gardner and Lamarcus Joyner will make it difficult for Seattle’s receivers to get open, making New York the favorite in the upcoming matchup.

Clinching a playoff berth this late in the season requires focus and help from other franchises. Although these teams fought hard this regular season, I believe they will watch this NFL postseason from the comfort of their own homes.