The Football Fan Spot

Even with only one week left in the NFL season, the NFL playoff picture is still about as complicated as human cloning with so many different scenarios involving seeding order and even just who makes the playoffs. Hopefully I can make sense of it here.

AFC

Indianapolis Colts

Already clinched #1 seed in AFC

San Diego Chargers

Already clinched #2 seed in AFC

New England Patriots

If they win and they’re the #3 seed, if they lose, they would need a Cincinnati loss to get the #3 seed. If they tie, they would need Cincinnati to also tie or to lose. The farthest they can fall is #4.

Cincinnati Bengals

If they win and New England doesn’t (loss or tie), they are the #3 seed. If they tie and New England loses, they are the #3 seed. Any other scenario, the are the #4.

New York Jets

If they win, they are in the playoffs and get the #5 seed. If they lose, they would need, the Ravens to lose, the Steelers to lose, the Broncos to lose, the Texans to lose, the Jaguars to lose or tie to get the #5 seed. If the above scenario happens with the exception of the Ravens winning, they would get the #6 seed. Anything else and they are out of the playoffs.

Baltimore Ravens

If they win, they are in the playoffs. If they win and the Jets lose, they get the 5th seed. If they lose, they would need the Steelers to lose, the Broncos to lose, the Texans to lose, the Jaguars to lose or tie to get the 6th seed.

Denver Broncos

If they win, they need either the Jets or Ravens to lose, plus one other team from the following group: the Jets, the Ravens, the Steelers, and Texans, to make the playoffs. However, they can actually lose and get the 5th seed. If everyone else alive in the playoff hunt, except Miami, also loses. They can get the 6th seed if everyone else alive in the playoff hunt, except Miami and one other team, also loses.

Houston Texans (I did forget this, thanks Eric, my bad)

They need a win and either the Ravens and Broncos or the Jets and Broncos to lose to make the playoffs.

Pittsburgh Steelers

They need a win and the Texans and Jets to lose, the Texans and the Ravens to lose, or the Jets, Ravens, and Broncos to lose to make the playoffs.

Jacksonville Jaguars

They need a win and one of the following scenarios to happen

1. Steelers, Broncos, Texans and Jets all lose.

2. Steelers, Ravens, Broncos and Jets all lose.

3. Steelers, Texans, Jets and Ravens all lose.

4. Jets, Ravens, Texans and Broncos all lose.

5. Ravens, Broncos, Steelers and Texans all lose.

Miami Dolphins

They need a win and the Jets, the Texans, the Jaguars, and the Ravens all to lose

NFC

New Orleans Saints

Already clinched the #1 seed in the NFC

Minnesota Vikings

Can clinch the #2 seed with a win and a Philadelphia loss or tie, or if they tie and Philadelphia losses. If they lose, and Arizona loses, they are in the #3 seed. If they lose and Arizona wins, they are in the #4 seed.

Philadelphia Eagles

Can clinch the #2 seed with a win or a Minnesota and Arizona loss or with a tie and a Minnesota loss or tie and an Arizona loss or tie. If they lose, they drop down to the #5 seed. If they lose and Green Bay wins, they get #6 seed. If they tie and Minnesota wins, they get #3 seed. They can’t get the #4 seed.

Arizona Cardinals

Gets #2 seed with a win and a Philadelphia and Minnesota loss. Gets #3 seed with a win and if Philadelphia or Minnesota loses. All other scenarios they get #4 seed.

Dallas Cowboys

Gets #2 seed with a win and a Minnesota and an Arizona loss. If they win and Minnesota ties or wins and Arizona loses or ties, they get #3 seed. If they win and Arizona and Minnesota win, they get the #4 seed. If they lose and Green Bay wins, they get the #6 seed. If they lose and Green Bay loses, they get the #5 seed. If they tie and Green Bay wins, they get the #6 seed.

Green Bay Packers

If they win they get the #5 seed. If they tie and Dallas losses, they get the #5 seed. Anything else and they get the #6 seed. 

Wow! My head hurts!