Just because its the last week of the NFL regular season, I'm going to take a little break from NBA and write a quick short on NFL. This is the current situation.
AFC
The Denver Broncos have clinched division and first round bye.
New England Patriots, Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts have all clinched their division and merely fighting for seed
Kansas City Chiefs have clinched the wild card and 5th place.
6th Playoff Spot
The Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, San Diego Chargers, and Pittsburgh Steelers are fighting for the last position in AFC playoff, the 2nd wild card spot.
As long as Raven wins their game and either Chargers OR Dolphins lose their game, Ravens will be headed to the playoff
If Dolphins win their game and either Raven loses or Chargers win, Dolphins will take the wild card position
If Chargers win their game and Ravens and Dolphins both lose, Chargers will be moving on to the playoff
If Steelers win AND Dolphins, Ravens, AND Chargers lose, the Steelers will earn one of the most miraculous playoff berth. However, their is only 1/16 chance of this happening.
My prediction
Ravens VS Bengals
going to be a close race. As good of a team as Raven is, Bengals has yet to lose a home game. They have taken down Packers when they still had Aaron Rodgers, Colts, and even the Patriots. I have to give the win to Bengal
Steelers VS Browns
I have to give the win to Steelers. Browns have had a very poor season. While Steelers had a poor start and hanging on in the playoff race by a hair, they are still better team than the Browns.
Chiefs VS Chargers
Chargers miraculously recovered from 5-7 record earlier in the season, winning 3 games in a row, even taking down the Chiefs and Broncos, both in a away game. The Chiefs coach has a history of benching many key players in non important games leading into playoffs to avoid unnecessary risk of injury. I have to give this win to the Chargers
Jets VS Dolphins
Dolphins is another team that has made a great season recovery. They won 3 out of their last 4 games, one against the patriots. While Jets have a similar record of 7-8 against the Dolphins 8-7, if you compare the strength of schedule and if u consider the Jets's 23-3 home game loss to the Dolphins earlier in the month, Dolphins is the team to vote for.
In conclusion, its a close race but I think Dolphins will take the last playoff spot by a hair.
Game to watch
Ravens VS Bengals
Playoff chance for the rest of AFC teams still in the race rests on Ravens falling to the Bengals.
NFC
Seahawks and Panthers have both clinched playoffs and are simply fighting for the 1st and 2nd seed
49ers have also clinched playoff but its TBD whether they will be going in as top 2 seed or as a wild card
Eagles, Bears, Saints, Cardinals, Cowboys, Packers are all in the race for either their division or the wild card.
Unlike AFC, every division and seed is up for grabs
Divisions
West
Seahawks are currently in 1st in their division. If Seahawks lose and the 49ers win, 49ers will be representing West while Seahawks will be entering as the wild card
South
Panthers are currently leading. However, if Panthers lose their game and Saints win theirs, Saints will be representing South while Panthers head in as the wild card.
East
East is down to Eagles VS Cowboys and their is more at risk. Whoever loses this Sunday in the Eagles VS Cowboy game will not only lose the battle for division, but be eliminated from playoff entirely.
North
Much like East, whoever loses in the Bears VS Packer game this Sunday will be eliminated from the division and the playoff.
Wild Card
Wild card could go to Seahawks, Panthers, 49ers, Saints, or the Cardinals
Prediction
Packers will win with Aaron Rodgers back as quarterback against the bears
Saints will have an easy win over the Buccaneers
Seahawks will have an easy win over the Rams
Panthers will win easily over the falcons
Cowboys will put up a good fight but Eagles will clinch victory
Cardinals will put up a good fight but ultimately fall to the 49ers
-SF
