VOLUME VII: Week 17 Playoff Scenarios
Atlanta, Georgia (AP)-- For many teams it seems as if it was just has been just a matter of a few weeks, if not days, since players, many of them prospects, first started arriving at training camp, all with the same goal in mind. For many teams these hopes have not been able to come true, as they failed to compete with the league during the regular season and earn a spot in the 2007 NFL Playoffs.
However, for some 15 teams those dreams are still alive, as heading into the final week of the 2006 season they are still in contention to qualify for the playoffs and become one huge step closer to playing in Superbowl XLI, in Miami on February 4th, 2007.
In the NFC all six teams who will play in January have already been decided, and the only remaining question is which team will have home field advantage (either the Bears or Falcons) and which team will get the third seed and face the Dallas Cowboys and who will have to settle for the forth seed and a matchup against the New Orleans Saints (between the Eagles and Cardinals).
However, in the AFC, a totally completely different picture has been painted to setup the regular seasons final week. Only four teams have clinched playoff berths, and only two divisions have had their champion decided. 6 teams are all fighting for the final wildcard spot, while the Colts and Titans are still battling out for the South crown, and the Broncos and Chargers (both of whom have clinched playoff berths) are still in contention for the West title and a possible first round bye.
Z- Clinched Home Field Advantage. Y- Clinched Division. X- Clinched Playoff Berth. E- Eliminated from Contention
Individual Team Playoff Scenarios
AFC
Pittsburgh Steelers- The Steelers have clinched the AFC North title, and with a win at Cincinnati and a Denver loss against the 49ers can clinch home field advantage. If the Steelers lose in week 17 and are unable get home field, they can still clinch a first round bye with a New England or San Diego loss or tie.
Denver Broncos- With only a playoff berth set, the Broncos have many scenarios which could land them anywhere between the first and fifth seed. If they defeat the 49ers then they will clinch the number one seed in the AFC, and home field advantage. However, the Broncos can also clinch home field if they lose and the Steelers, Patriots, and Chargers all lose as well. The Broncos can also clinch the AFC West title with a win or a loss and a Chargers loss against the Cardinals.
New England Patriots- At 10-5, the Patriots have clinched the AFC East title for the fifth time in six years. With a win at Tennessee and a Pittsburgh and Denver loss, the Patriots will also clinch home field advantage. If the Broncos win and the Steelers lose or vice versa then the Patriots will clinch a first round bye pending a victory.
San Diego Chargers- Like the Broncos, the Chargers playoff plans have been set, but they don’t know exactly where they are going to end up. A win against the Cardinals and a loss by the Broncos, Steelers, and Patriots will clinch home field for the Chargers. The Chargers can also clinch their division if they win and the Broncos lose against the 49ers.
Indianapolis Colts- The Colts can clinch a playoff berth and their division with a win against the Dolphins or a Titans loss against the Patriots. If the Patriots lose and the Colts win then Indy will earn a home game in the wildcard round.
Tennessee Titans- The best the Titans could do is to clinch the forth seed, which they will if they beat the Patriots on the road and the Colts lose while hosting Miami. However a win for the Titans will automatically clinch a playoff berth for them, as a Ravens or Bills loss is guaranteed.
Baltimore Ravens- The Ravens will clinch a playoff berth and a wildcard spot with a win against the Ravens. Simple as that.
Buffalo Bills- The Bills will earn a wildcard spot if they beat they win on Sunday at Baltimore and if the Titans lose against the Patriots.
Miami Dolphins- The can earn a playoff spot if they beat the Colts, and get help from the Patriots, who if they beat the Titans, will give Miami a playoff spot.
Kansas City Chiefs- The Chiefs have the most unlikely odds of making the playoffs, as they require a win against the Chargers, and losses to the Dolphins, Bills or Ravens, and Titans.
Eliminated from Contention- The Cincinnati Bengals, New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, Oakland Raiders, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Houston Texans have all been eliminated from contention.
NFC
Chicago Bears- The Bears have already secured a first round bye and their division title, but with a win against the Packers or a Falcons loss or tie against the Eagles, the Bears will also clinch home field advantage.
Atlanta Falcons- The Falcons have already secured a first round bye and their division title, but with a win at Philadelphia and a Bears loss or tie to the Packers will also give the Falcons home field advantage.
Arizona Cardinals- The Cardinals have surprised everyone this season and dethroned the defending NFC Champions, Seattle Seahawks in clinching the NFC West title, and with a win or a Eagles loss or tie the Cards will also clinch the third seed in the playoffs.
Philadelphia Eagles- The Eagles have won the NFC East title, and with a victory against the Falcons and a Cardinals loss at San Diego the Eagles will clinch the third seed in the playoffs and face the Dallas Cowboys.
New Orleans Saints- At 10-5 the Saints have clinched the fifth seed, and will face the forth seed, either the Arizona Cardinals or Philadelphia Eagles.
Dallas Cowboys- At 8-7 the Cowboys have clinched the sixth seed, and will face the third seed, either the Arizona Cardinals or Philadelphia Eagles.
Eliminated from Contention- The Carolina Panthers, Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks, New York Giants, Washington Redskins, San Francisco 49ers, Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and St. Louis Rams have all been eliminated from contention.
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Pittsburgh - Y
Chicago - Y
Denver - X
Atlanta - Y
New England - Y
Arizona - Y
New England
Philadelphia - Y
San Diego - X
New Orleans - X
Tennessee
Dallas -X
Baltimore
Carolina - E
Buffalo
Minnesota - E
Miami
Seattle - E
Kansas City
New York - E
Cincinnati - E
Washington - E
New York - E
San Francisco - E
Cleveland - E
Green Bay - E
Oakland - E
Detroit - E
Jacksonville - E
Tampa Bay - E
Houston - E
St. Louis - E