The final Sunday of the regular season is here, and there are LOADS of playoff implications. Last night, we saw the Chiefs claim the No. 1 seed with their win over the Raiders, and the Jaguars clinching the AFC South title with their win over the Titans, knocking Tennessee out of the playoffs.
With 14 games to go here on Sunday, we have clinching games, seeding games, and games that literally do not matter for anything but the players futures and the teams’ draft positions.
Eight games in the early window, five in the late afternoon, and one primetime SNF.
Let’s break it down.
Key:
Clinched playoffs
Playoff hopeful
Eliminated
x = Clinched playoff
y = Locked in to seed
z = Clinched Division
Games with no playoff hopefuls:
Texans(2-13) @ Colts(4-11), 1 pm EST
Both teams eliminated from contention. If the Texans lose, they lock in the #1 overall pick, win, and the Bears have a chance to take it with a loss against the Vikings. For the Colts, it’s another audition for Jeff Saturday, who stinks. This is likely the last game for Brandin Cooks in a Texans uniform, who will likely be traded this offseason. Several Colts players will be putting on a final showcase as they approach free agency, including Bobby Okereke, Parris Campbell, Yannick Ngakoue, and Rodney McLeod.
Panthers(6-10) @ Saints(7-9), 1 pm EST
Both teams eliminated from contention. With a Panthers win, I think you can take Steve Wilks as the permanent head coach to the bank. With a loss, it’s still a high possibility. Saints head coach Dennis Allen is on the hot seat, so this is an important game for him too.
Games with playoff teams that don’t matter:
Buccaneersxyz(8-8) @ Falcons(6-10), 1 pm EST
Bucs have clinched the division and are locked in to the No. 4 seed, with no possibility of moving up. Good opportunity to rest their old roster and prep for a tough matchup against either the Cowboys or Eagles, dependent on who wins the NFC East. For the Falcons, just more experience for Desmond Ridder to see if he could be the next franchise QB.
Games with ONLY seeding implications
Ravensx(10-6) @ Bengalsxz(11-4), 1 pm EST
With a Ravens win, and a Chargers loss, Baltimore will take the No. 5 seed and face the Jaguars next week. With a Bengals win and a Bills loss to the Patriots, Cincinnati will be the No. 2 seed. There is a very good chance of these two teams facing off next week in Cincinnati as a 3- vs. 6- seed matchup.
Vikingsxz(12-4) @ Bears(3-13), 1 pm EST
If the Vikings win, and the 49ers lose, the Vikings will be the No. 2 seed. If that happens, and the Texans lose, the Bears will have the #1 overall pick in the draft. Justin Fields has been ruled out for the game, so there’s at least that. Either way, the Vikings have the No. 2 or 3 seed, but all dependent on the Cardinals/49ers game.
Giantsxy(9-6-1) @ Eaglesx(13-3), 4:25 pm EST
Both teams have clinched the playoffs. Giants are locked in to the No. 6 seed and are expected to start practice squad QB Davis Webb today, with most starters expected to sit. With a win, the Eagles clinch the division, the No. 1 seed, and the first-round bye. If they somehow lose, they would need a Cowboys loss to the Commanders, and a 49ers loss to the Cardinals to claim the No. 1 seed. If the Eagles lose, and the 49ers win, and the Cowboys win, they fall to the No. 5 seed. If the Eagles lose, and the Cowboys lose, but the 49ers win, they are the No. 2 seed, with San Francisco as the No. 1 seed, and the Cowboys the No. 5.
Cowboysx(12-4) @ Commanders(7-8-1), 4:25 pm EST
If the Cowboys win, and the Eagles lose to the Giants, AND the 49ers lose to the Cardinals, Dallas will claim the division, the No. 1 seed, and a first-round bye. If the Cowboys win, Eagles lose, and 49ers win, Cowboys are the 2-seed. If the Cowboys lose, they are the 5-seed.
Cardinals(4-12) @ 49ersxz(12-4), 4:25 pm EST
If the 49ers win, they have at least the 2-seed. If they win, and the Eagles lose, San Francisco take the No. 1 seed and the first-round bye. If the 49ers lose and the Vikings win, then they drop to the 3-seed. If they lose, they would need a Vikings loss to stay at the 2-seed.
Chargersx(10-6) @ Broncos(4-12), 4:25 pm EST
If the Chargers win, they are the 5-seed. If they lose, and the Ravens win, they are the 6-seed. If they lose, and the Ravens lose, LA is the 5-seed.
Games with win and in scenarios
Patriots(8-8) @ Billsxz(12-3), 1 pm EST
If the Patriots win, they are in as the 7-seed. If they lose, they would need a Dolphins loss and a Steelers loss to clinch the playoffs. If either of those two teams win, with the Dolphins as the higher tiebreaker, and the Patriots lose, they are out of the playoffs.
For the Bills, they can no longer get the 1-seed after the Chiefs win yesterday. A win clinches the 2-seed, a loss and a Bengals win drops them to the 3-seed. A loss and a Bengals loss still gets them the 2-seed.
Lions(8-8) @ Packers(8-8), 8:20 pm EST
Although neither of these teams have a spot right now, the Packers control their destiny. The Seahawks currently hold the 7-seed, but if the Packers win, they overtake them, even with a Seattle win over the Rams. If the Seahawks win, the Lions are out of playoff contention, only the Packers can make the playoffs with a win. If the Seahawks lose, then it’s a battle for the 7-seed. Winner take all.
Games with win and some help scenarios
Jets(7-9) @ Dolphins(8-8), 1 pm EST
If the Dolphins win, and the Patriots lose, they make the playoffs as the 7-seed. If they lose, Miami is eliminated.
Browns(7-9) @ Steelers(8-8), 1 pm EST
If the Steelers win, and the Patriots lose, and the Dolphins lose, they make the playoffs as the 7-seed. If they lose, Pittsburgh is out. If either of the Dolphins or Patriots win, the Steelers are eliminated.
Rams(5-11) @ Seahawks(8-8), 4:25 pm EST
Even though the Seahawks currently hold the 7-seed, they don’t control their destiny oddly enough. If they win, they would need a Packers loss to the Lions to clinch the playoffs, if the Packers win, Green Bay takes the 7-seed and Seattle is eliminated. If the Seahawks lose, they are eliminated, and the final NFC playoff spot comes down to Sunday Night Football.
Football Nerds 