NFL 2013: Week 17, the Push for the Playoffs

Great day of football in store for Week 17. Four playoff spots, including four division titles, are still up for grabs. Who will clinch the final four spots and what will the playoff picture look like on Monday morning?

First off, let's sort through the playoff scenarios. Take a deep breath, here we go with the AFC (courtesy of CBSSports.com).

DENVER can clinch home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs with:
  1. DEN win or tie
  2. NE loss or tie
NEW ENGLAND can clinch a first-round bye with:
  1. NE win or tie
  2. CIN loss or tie + IND loss or tie
NEW ENGLAND can clinch home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs with:
  1. NE win + DEN loss
CINCINNATI can clinch a first-round bye with:
  1. CIN win + NE loss
INDIANAPOLIS can clinch a first-round bye with:
  1. IND win + NE loss + CIN loss or tie
MIAMI can clinch a playoff berth with:
  1. MIA win + BAL loss or tie
  2. MIA win + SD win
  3. MIA tie + BAL loss + SD loss or tie
  4. MIA tie + BAL tie + SD tie
BALTIMORE can clinch a playoff berth with:
  1. BAL win + SD loss or tie
  2. BAL win + MIA loss or tie
  3. BAL tie + MIA loss + SD loss or tie
  4. BAL tie + MIA tie + SD loss
  5. MIA loss + SD loss + PIT loss or tie
SAN DIEGO can clinch a playoff berth with:
  1. SD win + MIA loss or tie + BAL loss or tie
  2. SD tie + MIA loss + BAL loss
PITTSBURGH can clinch a playoff berth with:
  1. PIT win + MIA loss + BAL loss + SD loss
Exhale.

Now for the NFC scenarios. Deep breath, again.

SEATTLE can clinch the NFC West division title, a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with:
  1. SEA win or tie
  2. SF loss or tie
CAROLINA can clinch the NFC South division title and a first-round bye with:
  1. CAR win or tie
  2. NO loss or tie
CAROLINA can clinch home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs with:
  1. Win + SEA loss + SF win
PHILADELPHIA can clinch the NFC East division title with:
  1. Win or tie
CHICAGO can clinch the NFC North division title with:
  1. Win or tie
SAN FRANCISCO can clinch the NFC West division title and a first-round bye with:
  1. Win + SEA loss
SAN FRANCISCO can clinch the NFC West division title and home-field advantage with:
  1. Win + SEA loss + CAR loss or tie
NEW ORLEANS can clinch the NFC South division title and a first-round bye with:
  1. NO win + CAR loss
NEW ORLEANS can clinch a playoff berth with:
  1. NO win
  2. NO tie + ARI loss or tie
  3. ARI loss
ARIZONA can clinch a playoff berth with:
  1. ARI win + NO loss or tie
  2. ARI tie + NO loss
DALLAS can clinch the NFC East division title with:
  1. Win
GREEN BAY can clinch the NFC North division title with:
  1. Win
It's as simple as that. So, how will it all turn out?

For all my predictions for Week 17 and my projected playoff picture, see below.

Week 17 Predictions (Home team in CAPS)

Carolina over ATLANTA: A dreadful season for the Falcons will finally come to an end after losing to the Panthers, who clinch a first round bye and the NFC South crown with a win.

TENNESSEE over Houston: The Texans have lost 13 straight games, so why not make it 14 straight? With the first pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans select...

INDIANAPOLIS over Jacksonville: Indianapolis should have no problem with Jacksonville as they get ready to host a playoff game next Sunday.

MIAMI over NY Jets: With a win and a little help from a Baltimore loss, the Dolphins will be in the playoffs. And I think they will be.

Detroit over MINNESOTA: The Lions had every opportunity to take control of the NFC North and clinch the division. Losing five of their last six games ended their chances of not only clinching the division, but making the playoffs altogether. Head coach Jim Schwartz is on the hot seat as a result.

NY GIANTS over Washington: I picked both of these teams to go to the playoffs back in August, what was I thinking? "C'mon Man!"

PITTSBURGH over Cleveland: Pittsburgh needs a win and a lot of help to reach and playoffs. I think they'll get a win, but I would be stunned if Miami, Baltimore and San Diego all lose. Thus, ending a disappointing Steelers season.

Green Bay over CHICAGO: Two words, Aaron Rodgers. I liked the Packers before it was announced that Rodgers would return under center. Now, that he is officially back, I really like the Packers to win the NFC North in Chicago.

Denver over OAKLAND: Peyton Manning plays the first half, gets the Broncos a comfortable lead, and takes a seat as Denver clinches home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

NEW ENGLAND over Buffalo: The Bills gave the Patriots a game back in Week 1, 23-21, and I expect another close one on Sunday. However, I expect the same result. Patriots win and clinch a first-round bye.

NEW ORLEANS over Tampa Bay: Drew Brees and Co. need a win to clinch a playoff spot and I think they'll get one. Setting up a potential matchup with Philadelphia, Dallas, Green Bay or Chicago next week in the playoffs. You gotta love all of these playoff scenarios.

San Francisco over ARIZONA: The team that gets to 14 first just might win this football game. Both defenses are superb and I would expect a low scoring game. Arizona is fighting for their playoff lives, but I don't think it will be enough as the 49ers get the win.

SAN DIEGO over Kansas City: The Chiefs are locked into the fifth seed no matter what happens on Sunday, so this one is tricky. San Diego beat the Chiefs in Week 12, 41-38, in Kansas City and if the Chiefs rest their starters, the Chargers should win rather easily. If Kansas City plays their starters for the full 60 minutes, this could be a great game.

SEATTLE over St. Louis: No cause for alarm with the Seahawks losing at home last week for the first time in almost two years. Seattle hit a minor bump in the road and I look for them to start another home winning streak against the Rams. Seattle clinches home-field, which may result in a trip to the Super Bowl.

Philadelphia over DALLAS: QB Tony Romo is out for the season have undergoing back surgery, so the Cowboys will turn to veteran Kyle Orton to keep their season alive. The winner Sunday night in Irving, TX, wins the NFC East title and this will be the third year in a row that Dallas has had win and get-in scenario the final week of the season. I just don't see the Cowboys winning without Romo, so I like the Eagles to win, which will most likely lead to the firing of head coach Jason Garrett on Monday.

BENGALS over Ravens: The Bengals are going to get the Ravens best shot on Sunday and then some. Baltimore needs a win plus some help from Miami or San Diego to make the playoffs, so expect them to stop at nothing to win this game. Cincinnati played terrible in Baltimore back in Week 10, but they still found a way to force overtime. The Bengals may not play very well on the road, but they are one of three teams to be 7-0 at home through 16 games. Andy Dalton, the defense, the entire team for that matter seem to play better in The Jungle and I expect Sunday to be no different. It will be close, but the Bengals prevail. Bengals 27, Ravens 23.

Playoff Predictions

After sorting through the various playoff scenarios and my predictions for this week's games, here are the 12 teams that I believe will be playing for the Lombardi Trophy.

NFC
1. Seattle Seahawks
2. Carolina Panthers
3. Philadelphia Eagles
4. Green Bay Packers
5. San Francisco 49ers
6. New Orleans Saints

AFC
1. Denver Broncos
2. New England Patriots
3. Cincinnati Bengals
4. Indianapolis Colts
5. Kansas City Chiefs
6. Miami Dolphins

Last Week: 9-7
Overall: 148-91
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