Week 16 playoff-clinching scenarios
Published: December 21st, 2010 | Tags: Week 16 playoff-clinching scenarios, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers joined the New England Patriots this week in clinching an AFC playoff berth, while the Atlanta Falcons and Chicago Bears locked up NFC postseason spots. With only 12 teams mathematically eliminated and only one sure division winner thus far (Bears — NFC North), the Week 16 games could finally provide some clarity. Here are the scenarios:
NFC
CLINCHED:
Atlanta – playoff spot.
Chicago – NFC North Division.
ELIMINATED: Carolina, Detroit, Washington, Dallas, Minnesota, Arizona.
ATLANTA FALCONS
Atlanta clinches NFC South and home-field advantage:
1) ATL win or tie
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Philadelphia clinches NFC East Division:
1) PHI win
2) PHI tie + NYG loss or tie
3) NYG loss
Philadelphia clinches a playoff spot:
1) PHI tie
2) TB loss or tie
CHICAGO BEARS
Chicago clinches a first-round bye:
1) CHI win + PHI loss + NYG loss or tie
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
New Orleans clinches a playoff spot:
1) NO win or tie
2) TB loss or tie
NEW YORK GIANTS
NY Giants clinch a playoff spot:
1) NYG win
AFC
CLINCHED:
New England – playoff spot.
Pittsburgh – playoff spot.
ELIMINATED: Buffalo, Cincinnati, Denver, Cleveland, Houston, Miami.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
New England clinches AFC East Division and home-field advantage:
1) NE win or tie
2) NYJ loss or tie
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Pittsburgh clinches AFC North Division and a first-round bye:
1) PIT win + BAL loss
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Kansas City clinches AFC West Division:
1) KC win + SD loss or tie
2) KC tie + SD loss
BALTIMORE RAVENS
Baltimore clinches a playoff spot:
1) BAL win or tie
2) KC loss + JAC loss or tie
3) KC loss + IND loss or tie
4) SD loss or tie + JAC loss or tie
5) SD loss or tie + IND loss or tie
NEW YORK JETS
NY Jets clinch a playoff spot:
1) NYJ win or tie
2) JAC loss or tie
3) IND loss or tie
Check out the playoff picture for a look at the postseason schedule if the season ended today.