The playoff field is pretty well set after yesterday's results. While seeding is very much still up in the air for both the AFC & NFC, most of the tickets have already been punched to the postseason. In the NFC, the 49ers, Packers, Seahawks, Vikings, and Saints have clinched playoff spots. The Eagles are in control for the final spot after taking care of the Cowboys yesterday. Beat the Giants next week and they are in.
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The AFC's division winners are all set, with the Patriots, Chiefs, Texans, and Ravens having already clinched. The Bills are also locked into the 5-seed no matter next week's outcomes. That final spot in the AFC is where things get very interesting however. After the Steelers lost to the Jets yesterday (really?!), and the Titans lost at home to the Saints, the door is pretty much wide open for either one - or even the Raiders to now sneak-into the playoffs as the final representative in the AFC. Here is how each of those three can clinch next Sunday:
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TENNESSEE TITANS
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The Titans are at division rival Houston to wrap things up. They are coming off back-to-back home losses, first to these very same Texans, and yesterday to the Saints. The scenario is simple for Tennessee however, win at Houston and they are in, regardless of the outcomes of other games. If Kansas City were to lose, the Texans could still pass them and get the 3-seed. There could be a lot for them to play for, or not much at all. The question will be - how inclined will Bill O'Brien be to rest starters? The Texans have won two in a row, but the sour taste of an inexcusable home-loss blowout to the last place Broncos the week prior should still have them motivated to finish the season strong and head into the postseason with momentum. Afterall, would you rather head into the playoffs on a 3-game winning streak or 2-2 over your last 4?
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Finally, the Titans can still lose and get in. If the Steelers & Raiders both lose, they will still win a tie-break with Pittsburgh for the final spot...
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PITTSBURGH STEELERS
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The Steelers went from the driver seat, to the backseat after losing at the Jets yesterday. Only scoring 10 points against one of the league's worst defenses probably doesn't inspire much hope ahead of this week's showdown at Baltimore. Yes, the Ravens just clinched home field in the AFC, so there's no incentive for them to play many of their starters, especially after Mark Ingram was hobbled yesterday. However, they will already have a week off wrapped up, so just sitting everyone for two weeks straight could bring the "rust" factor into the equation.
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At any rate, the Steelers need a win and a loss by the Titans to get in. There is not a scenario where they can lose and still clinch, so it's a playoff game this Sunday in Baltimore for all intents & purposes for the Steele Curtain. Will they get any help from their division rivals by resting their stars? Maybe, but I'm not convinced they can beat the Ravens' backups after scoring just 10 points in each of their last two (must-win) games. I hope to see an inspired performance nonetheless with a playoff spot on the line.
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OAKLAND RAIDERS
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Yes, believe-it-or-not the Raiders can still make the playoffs. Do they need help? Yes, plenty of it, but it's really not all that far-fetched. First things first, the Silver & Black need a win at last-place Denver. That seems reasonable, especially after just beating fellow division-rival LA Chargers on the road yesterday. So, how can the Raiders still sneak in?
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Beat the Broncos, and then if the Titans & Steelers both lose, and the Colts win @ Jacksonville, the Raiders will be in thanks to a strength of victory tie-breaker. Personally, that is the option that I'll be rooting for, I don't have a horse in this particular race, but chaos is fun. Secondly, it would be a fitting sending off for the Raiders before they leave for Las Vegas next year to give the Oakland fanbase one last playoff appearance before skipping town.
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Who is your pick to be the AFC's final playoff participant? Will it be the Titans, Steelers, or Raiders? Thanks for the support as always - I would love to get your pick in the comments section below!
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