Week 15 playoff scenarios
Published: December 13th, 2011 | Tags: Playoff scenarios, Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, Pittsburgh Steelers
Congratulations to the Texans, who have clinched their first playoff berth in franchise history. With three weeks left in the season, there are still eight playoff spots up for grabs. And three teams — the Patriots, Ravens and Steelers — officially have a chance to join the party this weekend.
Here’s a look at the Week 15 playoff scenarios:
NFC
CLINCHED:
Green Bay Packers — North Division and first-round bye
San Francisco 49ers — West Division
New Orleans Saints — wild card spot
ELIMINATED:
Carolina, Minnesota, St. Louis, Tampa Bay, Washington
GREEN BAY PACKERS
Green Bay clinches home-field advantage throughout NFC playoffs:
1) GB win or tie
2) SF loss or tie
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
New Orleans clinches South Division title:
1) NO win + ATL loss or tie
2) NO tie + ATL loss
AFC
CLINCHED:
Houston Texans — South Division
ELIMINATED:
Buffalo, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Miami, Jacksonville
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
New England clinches East Division title:
1) NE win
2) NE tie + NYJ loss or tie
3) NYJ loss
New England clinches a wild card spot:
1) NE tie
2) CIN loss or tie + OAK loss or tie + TEN loss or tie
BALTIMORE RAVENS
Baltimore clinches a wild card spot:
1) BAL win or tie
2) NYJ loss + OAK loss or tie
3) NYJ loss + TEN loss or tie
4) OAK loss or tie + TEN loss or tie
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Pittsburgh clinches a wild card spot:
1) PIT win or tie
2) OAK loss or tie
3) TEN loss or tie
4) DEN loss
5) NYJ loss