NFL Playoffs 2009 Season: The Latest AFC and NFC Playoff Scenarios
Posted: Sunday, December 27, 2009
by Edward Rhymes
Hold your breath, here are the latest playoff scenarios for the National Football League's 2009 season:
AFC
Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7) vs. Miami Dolphins (7-8): The defending world champion Steelers are fighting for their playoff lives --- wildcard spot in the AFC, but the Dolphins are all but eliminated from contention. If the Steelers win, they need help to make the playoffs. Here are three distinct possibilities: (1) Pittsburgh wins, (2) Houston loses to New England, and (3) either Baltimore or the Jets lose their games.
A lot has to do with what the Texans do next week. There is an another situation where Pittsburgh and Houston can both make it, but Denver, Baltimore, and the Jets would all have to lose. Miami, can get in if everyone else loses and I just don't see that happening
New England Patriots (10-5) vs. Houston Texans (8-7): These teams have something to play for, but Texans are trying to get into the playoffs ... period. Houston doesn't control their own destiny, but can get some help, provided a few situations fall into place for them.
The Patriots are trying to get the No. 3 seed, which creates the potential for them holding an extra home game down the road in the playoffs over a fourth seed.
Jacksonville Jaguars (7-8) vs. Cleveland Browns (4-11): This game still has significance --- NOT!
The only way the Jaguars can make the postseason is if they beat the Browns and all five of the following teams lose: Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Denver, Houston, and the NY Jets. There is no rainbow... there is not pot of gold for the Jaguars --- especially with the Browns on a three-game winning streak.
Cincinnati Bengals (10-5) vs. New York Jets (8-7): This game has been moved to 8:20 PM on Sunday Night and will be the final game played in the regular season. The Bengals will already know heading into the game whether they can get the third seed or not depending on what the Patriots do. For the Jets, it's simple. If they win, they are IN.
The Jets "control their own destiny" toward becoming the fifth seed.
Baltimore Ravens (8-7) vs. Oakland Raiders (5-10): Like the Jets, if the Ravens win, they are IN, and therefore "control their own destiny." Although the Raiders have looked like world-beaters at times, they are still the Raiders and I can't see the Ravens losing with a shot at the playoffs at stake.
Kansas City Chiefs (3-11) vs. Denver Broncos (8-7): Talk about a total breakdown. The Broncos who started off the season 6-0, just plain ole blew it --- losing seven of their last nine games. I believe that they will win this game handily, but they still need help to get into the dance.
NFC
Philadelphia Eagles (11-4) vs. Dallas Cowboys (10-5): This game, above all, will determine the winner of the NFC East, so you can expect fireworks from these two teams that appear to be heating up at the right time. If the Vikings lose to the Bears on Monday, there is also a slim chance that the Eagles will be in contention for a first-round bye.
Green Bay Packers (10-5) vs. Arizona Cardinals (10-5): The Cardinals could move up to the No. 3 seed with a win and a Philadelphia loss (they currently hold the No. 4 seed). The Packers can, however, secure the No. 5 seed. Right now, they hold the tiebreaker over the Cowboys since they beat them earlier this season. But, if the Eagles slide to a wildcard spot, it is a bit murky as to whether the Packers would be forced into the fifth or sixth seeds.
New York Giants (8-7) vs. Minnesota Vikings (11-3): The Giants are eliminated and they can look into the mirror when it comes to placing blame --- they simply imploded. The Vikings, depending on what the Saints do, still have a shot at the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
New Orleans Saints (13-2) vs. Carolina Panthers (7-8): If the Vikings win their final two games and the Saints go on to lose their third straight game to close out the regular season, an all of a sudden vulnerable-looking New Orleans team would have a first-round bye but only as the No. 2 seed, thus losing homefield advantage.
This is by no means a sure win for the Saints as they go up a against a late-emerging terror in the Panthers.
AFC
Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7) vs. Miami Dolphins (7-8): The defending world champion Steelers are fighting for their playoff lives --- wildcard spot in the AFC, but the Dolphins are all but eliminated from contention. If the Steelers win, they need help to make the playoffs. Here are three distinct possibilities: (1) Pittsburgh wins, (2) Houston loses to New England, and (3) either Baltimore or the Jets lose their games.
New England Patriots (10-5) vs. Houston Texans (8-7): These teams have something to play for, but Texans are trying to get into the playoffs ... period. Houston doesn't control their own destiny, but can get some help, provided a few situations fall into place for them.
The Patriots are trying to get the No. 3 seed, which creates the potential for them holding an extra home game down the road in the playoffs over a fourth seed.
Jacksonville Jaguars (7-8) vs. Cleveland Browns (4-11): This game still has significance --- NOT!
The only way the Jaguars can make the postseason is if they beat the Browns and all five of the following teams lose: Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Denver, Houston, and the NY Jets. There is no rainbow... there is not pot of gold for the Jaguars --- especially with the Browns on a three-game winning streak.
Cincinnati Bengals (10-5) vs. New York Jets (8-7): This game has been moved to 8:20 PM on Sunday Night and will be the final game played in the regular season. The Bengals will already know heading into the game whether they can get the third seed or not depending on what the Patriots do. For the Jets, it's simple. If they win, they are IN.
The Jets "control their own destiny" toward becoming the fifth seed.
Baltimore Ravens (8-7) vs. Oakland Raiders (5-10): Like the Jets, if the Ravens win, they are IN, and therefore "control their own destiny." Although the Raiders have looked like world-beaters at times, they are still the Raiders and I can't see the Ravens losing with a shot at the playoffs at stake.
Kansas City Chiefs (3-11) vs. Denver Broncos (8-7): Talk about a total breakdown. The Broncos who started off the season 6-0, just plain ole blew it --- losing seven of their last nine games. I believe that they will win this game handily, but they still need help to get into the dance.
NFC
Philadelphia Eagles (11-4) vs. Dallas Cowboys (10-5): This game, above all, will determine the winner of the NFC East, so you can expect fireworks from these two teams that appear to be heating up at the right time. If the Vikings lose to the Bears on Monday, there is also a slim chance that the Eagles will be in contention for a first-round bye.
Green Bay Packers (10-5) vs. Arizona Cardinals (10-5): The Cardinals could move up to the No. 3 seed with a win and a Philadelphia loss (they currently hold the No. 4 seed). The Packers can, however, secure the No. 5 seed. Right now, they hold the tiebreaker over the Cowboys since they beat them earlier this season. But, if the Eagles slide to a wildcard spot, it is a bit murky as to whether the Packers would be forced into the fifth or sixth seeds.
New York Giants (8-7) vs. Minnesota Vikings (11-3): The Giants are eliminated and they can look into the mirror when it comes to placing blame --- they simply imploded. The Vikings, depending on what the Saints do, still have a shot at the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
New Orleans Saints (13-2) vs. Carolina Panthers (7-8): If the Vikings win their final two games and the Saints go on to lose their third straight game to close out the regular season, an all of a sudden vulnerable-looking New Orleans team would have a first-round bye but only as the No. 2 seed, thus losing homefield advantage.
This is by no means a sure win for the Saints as they go up a against a late-emerging terror in the Panthers.
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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)Thank you for providing the only clear scenario for all teams still eligible for the playoffs.
Thanks Josh. I'm glad I could add some clarity to a somewhat muddled playoff landscape. Blessings to you and have a Happy New Year!
Man, what's up with the NFL? Has anyone ever heard of consistency? What happened to my Giants? Five wins in a row and then loss, loss, loss, loss. Then they look reborn against Washington and then fall to pieces and play flat and dead last Sunday. And what's up with the Saints? Have they turned back into the Aint's again? Hope not. I really like Drew Breeze. And Favre having the best season of his career at 40?!! Wa--? Wa--? What's going on? I'm not a betting man, and thank the heavens. Anyone betting on the remaining games better have some money they can blow, for who knows what's going to happen week to week? Tampa over Saints? Who in their right mind picked that one? Last game in their stadium with all the past Giant greats in attendance and they can't get up for the game? A blowout nevertheless, 40 to 9? Wa--? Wa--? I'm exhausted. Phew!Excellent points all Jeff. Thanks for stopping by.
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