NFL Playoff Race

NFL Playoff Race

1. New England (12-3)*

2. Houston (10-4)*

3. Baltimore (11-4)*

4. Denver (8-7)

5. Pittsburgh (11-4)*

6. Cincinnati (9-6)

Outside Looking In:

NY Jets (8-7)

Oakland (7-7)

Tennessee (7-7)

Overview:

New England has finally separately itself from the pack.  New England has clinched the East Division and a first round bye.  Baltimore has the inside track for the other bye, gaining the #2 seed with a win. Pittsburgh will need a Baltimore loss and a win to have the #1 seed and a bye in the first round of playoffs.   Houston is locked in to the #3 seed no matter what happens week 17.  The fourth divison race is in the Wild Wild West.  Denver controls their destiny with Oakland needing a win AND a Denver loss to win the West.  Oakland can also win the wild card if Cincinnati and Tennessee lose OR Cincinatti loses and NY Jets win. San Diego and Kansas City both had their bubbles burst Week 16.

1. *Green Bay (14-1)

2. *San Francisco (12-3)

3. *New Orleans (12-3)

4. NY Giants (8-7)

5. *Detroit (10-5)

6. *Atlanta (9-6)

Outside Looking In:

 Dallas (8-7)

Overview

Green Bay Packers have the #1 seed, clinching home field (and a 1st round bye) throughout.  The Niners are barely holding on to the #2 seed which would give them a bye in the 1st round as well.  #3 seed, New Orleans (who have clinched the South) is virtually one game back of San Francisico because the tie-breaker goes to the Niners.  Dallas and NY Giants will play in a game that ends the loser's season and sends the victor to the playoffs via winning the East Division.  Detroit has made it in as a wild card with their thrashing of the Chargers.  Atlanta has also secured an automatic birth in the (wild card) playoffs.  Arizona and Seattle are no longer in playoff contention.  Also Philly has been mathematically eliminated.

* Clinched Playoff Berth