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NFL Playoff Picture for Week 17
by Badger of Predictem.com
It’s the final week of the National Football League regular season and the remaining playoff picture is down to basic math - five teams playing for two spots.
Ironically, it’s two teams that long ago clinched playoff spots (the Colts and Cowboys) that will decide the final playoff spots in both the NFC and AFC. Will they rest players? Or play hard? Here’s what to watch for this weekend.
The NFC: Vikings Get Scalped
Last week the Minnesota Vikings (8-7) were in the wildcard driver’s seat. Win and you're in. Well they lost. But not only did they lose to the Washington Redskins (8-7), now the Redskins are firmly in the driver’s seat for the NFC’s final playoff spot.
Now Washington is in a win and you're in situation this weekend when they host the Dallas Cowboys.
Minnesota needs to win on the road at Denver, and then hope somehow the Cowboys stay motivated and beat the Redskins.
The New Orleans Saints (7-8) could sneak in, but it requires a lot of help. Namely, help from both Denver and Dallas. If the Saints can beat the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field and both the Skins and Vikings lose, they'd get the final spot due to their best tiebreaker status.
The AFC: Browns Singing The Blues
The Cleveland Browns (9-6) know Minnesota’s pain. They too entered last week in the driver’s seat, only to piss it away with a loss to in-state rival Cincinnati. Now they are the team on the outside looking in, as the Tennessee Titans have played their way into the lead for the final AFC spot.
If the Tennessee Titans (9-6) keep winning, and they play this week at Indianapolis, they are in by virtue of the better tiebreaker record.
Cleveland needs to beat San Francisco at home Sunday, then hope and pray the Colts play hard versus the Titans.
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