According to one survey, nearly 48% of adults in the United States enjoy solving jigsaw puzzles At least once per year. In 2023, football fans are in this percentage since they will face a jigsaw puzzle ahead of a cofounding week 18 with so many seedings to be determined. In the AFC, the Ravens have locked up the number one seed, the Chiefs dropped to three seed, and the Browns secured the fifth seed. In the NFC, the 49ers have nabbed the number one seed, while the Lions are nearly certain to be the number three seed. In this article, we will explore all the playoff scenarios after a wild week 17.
1. Where do we stand in the AFC East and NFC East?
The Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills will play a near winner-takes-all matchup to win the AFC East on Sunday Night Football. The Dolphins have a one-game lead over their rivals, but Buffalo owns the tiebreaker after beating Miami at home. In the event of a loss, the Dolphins are guaranteed a spot in the playoffs as the number 6 seed, while a Bills loss will likely mean they still make the playoffs. However, we will discuss a wild scenario where they won’t make the playoffs in question 3. The Bills will have the advantage of knowing what to do at kickoff because they will play in the last regular season game of the year.
The Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys have clinched their spots in the playoffs. However, who will win the division, grab the number two seed, and potentially host two home games in the playoffs? The situation is clear for the Cowboys if they beat the Commanders on the road in Washington, they win the division. If they lose or tie the game, an Eagles win over the New York Giants would mean they will claim the divisional crown. The Eagles will be upset if they lose the division because they lost to the lowly Arizona Cardinals in week 17.
2. Who has a shot at winning the AFC and NFC South?
In the AFC South, the Jacksonville Jaguars, Indianapolis Colts, and Houston Texans all have a 9-7 record heading into week 18. The Jaguars have the inside track to win the division because if they beat the Titans on the road or both rivals tie their respective games, then Jacksonville wins the division. An interesting wrinkle by the NFL is that the Texans and Colts will play their game on Saturday, which means the pressure will intensify on the Jaguars to win on Sunday. If the Jaguars lose, then the winner of this game will make the playoffs.
In the NFC South, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New Orleans Saints, and Atlanta Falcons still can win the division. Tampa Bay has the best shot to win it because they currently hold the tiebreaker and face the worst team in the NFL, the Carolina Panthers. If the Bucs somehow lose, then the winner of the Colts-Texans game will grab the division and host the 2nd placed team in the NFC East in the wildcard round.
3. Who is in pole position to grab the last 2 AFC Wild Card Spots?
As promised, here is the improbable way a Bills loss would mean they miss the playoffs. It would happen if the Steelers win, the Jaguars win, and the Colts-Texan game ends in a tie. If the Jaguars win, then they would need a Steelers loss or, a Broncos loss, and the Colts and Texans cannot end in a tie. The Colts qualify with a win or tie with the Texans and a Steelers loss or tie. The Texans make the postseason with a win or a tie with the Colts with a Jaguars loss and a Steelers loss or tie. The Steelers need to win their game to make the playoffs, along with a Bills or Jaguars loss or a Texans or Colts tie. Yes, they need a lot of help.
4. Who are the teams fighting the last NFC Wild Card Spots?
The clear-cut favorite to nab the spot at this point is the Green Bay Packers because if they win against the Bears, then they will grab the 6th or 7th seed. If the Bucs somehow tie the Panthers game, they could grab the final wildcard spot if the Packers and the Seahawks lose. The Seahawks could nab the spot if they win, and the Packers lose or tie the Bears. The Falcons can win the division at 7-8 but cannot challenge for a wild card spot even if they win but would need a Bucs lose. The Saints can secure a wild card spot but need a loss from the Seahawks or Packers. The Seahawks need to win and need the Packers, Bucs, and Saints to lose. The Vikings have an outside shot but would need results to go their way against the Packers, Bucs, Seahawks, and Saints.
I hope you keep up because this weekend will mean a lot of scoreboard-watching, and this article will be handy.