WEEK 17 PLAYOFF SCENARIOS & PREDICTIONS

New Year Article!

Written by Aaron Cantin

Heading into the final day of the regular season, there are still more questions than answers around the NFL. This is how Week 17 should be. Typically we're lucky to have two or three teams fighting for a playoff spot. Not this year. This Sunday is lining up to be the most entertaining (or stressful) Week 17 in NFL history. With dozens of scenarios still possible, I've attempted to make sense of it all, so you're not connecting the dots Sunday afternoon.

In-game photos of Quarterbacks Lamar Jackson, Baker Mayfield, and Tua Tagovailoa; Photo from NFL

AFC

Only the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, and Pittsburgh Steelers have clinched a playoff spot. All three of the AFC wild-card spots are still up for grabs.

All the Tennessee Titans (10-5) have to do is beat the Houston Texans (4-11). If they do that, the AFC South and the fourth-seed are theirs. I expect the Titans offence to come out firing and finish in the four-spot.

The Miami Dolphins (10-5) in fifth don't have it so easy. They take on the Buffalo Bills. Despite already winning the AFC North, the Bills need a win or a Pittsburgh loss to finish second. Bad news for the Dolphins. You can expect Josh Allen to suit-up for the Bills on Sunday and lead the Bills to a tight victory. Luckily for the Dolphins, a Baltimore, Cleveland, or Indianapolis loss still means they sneak in the playoffs. I expect one of the three to lose, meaning the Miami Dolphins will sneak into the postseason.

The Baltimore Ravens (10-5) also control their own destiny. Beat the Cincinnati Bengals (4-10-1), and you're in. I expect the Ravens to take care of business handily on Sunday. If they fail to beat the Bengals, a Cleveland or Indianapolis loss still gets them into the dance.

The Cleveland Browns (10-5) have it tough. Falling to the New York Jets (2-13) last-week may prove costly. This week they're up against a motivated Pittsburgh Steelers squad who have the two-seed insight. This is the game to watch. I expect it to be a shoot-out, and in the end, I like Big Ben and the Steelers to sneak away with a win.

The Indianapolis Colts (10-5) have the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars (1-14) to take care of. I expect them to do just that.

Recap: The Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers both win, leaving the Bills in the two-seed and Steelers in the three. The Browns fall to the Steelers and out of the playoffs—Tennessee, Baltimore, Indianapolis, and Miami get-in, in that order.

NFC

The NFC makes even less sense. The Green Bay Packers (12-3), New Orleans Saints (11-4), and Seattle Seahawks (11-4) have won their respective divisions guaranteeing a playoff spot. All three teams can still finish first. Adding to the importance, only the top seed earns a bye this year.

The Packers take on the Chicago Bears (8-7) in a game of the week candidate. The Chicago Bears earn a wild-card spot if they beat the Packers. This is playoff football. Soldier Field will be cold, which is usually advantageous for Chicago, but if any Quarterback can handle some winter weather, it's Aaron Rodgers. I like the Green Bay Packers to squeak out a close one, claiming the top seed in the NFC.

The New Orleans Saints take on the Carolina Panthers (5-10). If Alvin Kamara keeps running the way he has, the Saints shouldn't have a problem. The Saints need a win and a Packers loss to claim the top-seed.

The Seahawks head to San Francisco (6-9) in a must-win against the 49ers if they want any shot at the top-seed. A win plus a Packers and Saints loss would push Seattle ahead of them. I expect all three to win, leaving the seeding unchanged.

The NFC East. What a mess. Hard to believe one of these teams will host a playoff game. Right now, the Washington Football Team (6-9) holds the top spot. If they beat Philadelphia (4-10-1), they win the NFC East. Simple.

The Dallas Cowboys (6-9) need a Washington loss and a win over the New York Giants (5-10). I can only assume the improbable in this division. The Eagles will upset Washington, and the Giants will beat the Cowboys, earning the NFC East honours. You read it here first.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-5) can rest easy heading into their matchup with the Atlanta Falcons (4-11). The Bucs have the fifth-seed locked up. Without an opportunity to overtake the Saints atop the division, don't expect to see much of Tom Brady in this one.

The Los Angeles Rams (9-6) host the Arizona Cardinals (8-7) in another game of the week candidate. If the Rams beat the Cardinals, they claim the second wild-card spot. If the Cardinals win, they make the playoffs. Everything is on the line. We still don't know if each team has their starting quarterbacks. Assuming they do, I prefer Kyler Murray over Jared Goff. Please give me the Cardinals.

Recap: The top-three seeds will stay as-is. The Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints followed by the Seattle Seahawks. The Giants, with a 6-10 record, conquer the NFC East and the fourth seed. The Cardinals take-down the Rams claiming the second wild-card spot. A Bears loss saves the Rams season, giving LA the final wild-card spot.