Week 15 playoff-clinching scenarios
Published: December 15th, 2010 | Tags: Week 15 playoff-clinching scenarios, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, New York Jets, NFL playoff picture, Pittsburgh Steelers
With only one team (New England) having clinched a playoff spot thus far and 22 teams still alive, there’s a lot that can happen this weekend that will affect the postseason seedings. Here’s a breakdown:
NFC
CLINCHED: None
ELIMINATED: Carolina, Detroit, Washington, Dallas, Minnesota.
ATLANTA FALCONS
Atlanta clinches a playoff spot:
1) ATL win or tie
2) NYG loss or tie
3) CHI loss or tie
4) GB loss or tie
CHICAGO BEARS
Chicago clinches NFC North division:
1) CHI win + GB loss
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
New Orleans clinches a playoff spot:
1) NO win + TB loss or tie + NYG loss or tie
2) NO win + TB loss or tie + CHI loss or tie
3) NO win + TB loss or tie + GB loss or tie
4) NO tie + TB loss + GB loss
5) NO tie + TB loss + NYG loss + CHI loss
NEW YORK GIANTS
NY Giants clinch a playoff spot:
1) NYG win + CHI loss + GB loss + TB loss + NYG clinch strength of victory
tiebreaker over Tampa Bay
AFC
CLINCHED: New England – playoff spot.
ELIMINATED: Buffalo, Cincinnati, Denver, Cleveland.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
New England clinches AFC East division and a first-round bye:
1) NE win + NYJ loss or tie
2) NE tie + NYJ loss
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Pittsburgh clinches AFC North division:
1) PIT win + BAL loss + PIT clinches strength of victory tiebreaker over BAL
Pittsburgh clinches a first-round bye:
1) PIT win + BAL loss + PIT clinches strength of victory tiebreaker over
BAL and JAC
2) PIT win + BAL loss + JAC loss or tie + PIT clinches strength of victory
tiebreaker over BAL
Pittsburgh clinches a playoff spot:
1) PIT win or tie
2) IND loss or tie + SD loss or tie
3) IND loss or tie + KC loss
There are other scenarios in which Pittsburgh may clinch a playoff spot if
it clinches the strength of victory tiebreaker over certain teams this weekend.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Jacksonville clinches AFC South division:
1) JAC win
NEW YORK JETS
NY Jets clinch a playoff spot:
1) NYJ win + MIA loss or tie + IND loss or tie + KC loss
2) NYJ win + MIA loss or tie + IND loss or tie + SD loss or tie
3) NYJ tie + MIA loss + IND loss or tie + SD loss
There are other scenarios in which New York may clinch a playoff spot if
it clinches the strength of victory tiebreaker over certain teams this weekend.
BALTIMORE RAVENS
Baltimore clinches a playoff spot:
1) BAL win + IND loss or tie + SD loss or tie
2) BAL win + IND loss or tie + MIA loss or tie + KC loss
3) BAL tie + MIA loss or tie + SD loss + IND loss
There are other scenarios in which Baltimore may clinch a playoff spot if
it clinches the strength of victory tiebreaker over certain teams this weekend.
For a look at what the postseason schedule would be if the season ended today, check out the playoff picture.