We are heading to the final stretch of the NFL season. Each week, we'll look at the current standings and see who's got things in good shape, who's fighting for a shot, and who's time is running out.
Each division in the NFC has been determined, and one wild card determined. All that's left to determine there is home field advantage, and that final wild card. Meanwhile, in the AFC, a division is still up for grabs, but the wild card race is almost decided. Let's start with the AFC.
AFC North
Steelers 9-5
Browns 9-5
Because the Steelers beat the Browns twice this year, they own the tiebreaker. The only way the Browns in the division are if they win out, and the Steelers go 1-1 or 0-2. Or if the Browns go 1-1, and the Steelers go 0-2. If they tie, the Steelers have it. With the Steelers playing the Rams and Ravens, it may not be easy for the Browns. But the Browns do play the Bengals and Ravens, 2 games they should win.
AFC South
Colts 12-2 have clinched division.
AFC East
That one team...I forget their name....they clinched.
AFC West
Chargers 9-5 have clinched division.
Home field Advantage
Patriots 14-0 locked up 1 seed
Colts 12-2 locked up 2 seed.
Wild Card
Jaguars 10-4
Browns 9-5
Titans 8-6
Bills 7-7
Texans 7-7
With Houston and Oakland left, all the Jaguars have to do to get a spot is win once. And even if they went 0-2, Tennessee would have to win out. So the Jaguars appear safe. It's really a two horse race now with Cleveland and Tennessee. Cleveland has the greater conference record, so the only way it happens is if the Browns lose out, and the Titans go 2-0. With Cleveland's weak schedule, and Tennessee still playing the Colts, it's very unlikely.
Now let's look at the NFC.
NFC North
Packers 12-2 have clinched division
NFC South
Buccaneers 9-5 have clinched
NFC East
Cowboys 12-2 have clinched
NFC West
Seahawks 9-5
Home field Advantage
Cowboys 12-2
Packers 12-2
Because Dallas won earlier against Green Bay, they own the tiebreaker. The Packers must either go 2-0 with Dallas going 1-1 or 0-2, OR go 1-1 with Dallas going 0-2 for them to take the 1 seed. Both teams have clinched a first round bye. The Packers play the Bears and Lions, while Dallas plays Washington and Carolina.
Wild Card
Giants 9-5
Vikings 8-6
Saints 7-7
Redskins 7-7
The Giants missing a wild card spot would be pretty hard to do. Although they have two tough remaining games, (Buffalo and the Pats) they'd have to lose both, and the Saints/Redskins would have to win both. The Washington/New York tie breaker is still up for grabs, and the Saints would have it over the Giants if the scenario appeared. But the Redskins still face the Cowboys and Vikings, while the Saints play the Eagles and Bears.
Here's where it gets interesting. The Redskins and Vikings play this Sunday at Minnesota. If the Vikings win, the Redskins are done, and as is Washington from that spot. But if the Redskins win, everything goes crazy. They'd be tied with that spot, Washington with the tiebreaker on the Vikings.
However, because a Saint team that wins out would have the superior record, if there is a 3-way tie, or a tie between NO/WAS or NO/MIN, the Saints take the spot. But all the Vikings have to do is win out, and they are safe.
We'll update once again next week and then look at the final seedings.
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