Today’s games made the AFC playoff picture even muddier than we could ever imagine, but I think I have the playoff scenarios figured out (As of posting, I couldn’t find them clearly written anywhere online). The fascinating part of this year’s wild card race in the AFC is that the two teams that control their own destiny, the Jets and Ravens, can’t back into the playoffs in any scenario. They either win and are in, or lose and are out. Here is each team’s scenario for Week 17 and what help (if any) they need to make the playoffs (Like I said, I did this myself so this is what I think….). Also, I’m assuming no ties occur next week.
Jets vs. Bengals
If the Jets win:
– They are in the playoffs
If the Jets lose:
– They are out of the playoffs
Ravens at Raiders
If the Ravens win:
– They are in the playoffs
If the Ravens lose:
– They are out of the playoffs
Broncos vs. Chiefs
If the Broncos win:
– If New York and Baltimore win, it doesn’t matter, they are out.
– If only 1 of the 2 (New York and Baltimore) win, Denver is in the playoffs as long either Houston wins or Pittsburgh loses. If Pittsburgh wins and Houston loses, Denver is out
– If both New York and Baltimore lose, Denver is in the playoffs
If the Broncos lose:
– If New York and Baltimore win, it doesn’t matter, they are out.
– If only 1 of the 2 (New York and Baltimore) win, Denver is in the playoffs if everyone else in the hunt loses (Houston, Pittsburgh, and Jacksonville)
– If both New York and Baltimore lose, Denver is in the playoffs if at least 2 out of the 3 of Houston, Pittsburgh, and Jacksonville lose.
Texans vs. Patriots
If the Texans win:
– If at least 2 out of the 3 of New York, Baltimore, and Denver win, they are out.
– If New York, Baltimore, and Denver lose, or if only 1 of them wins, Houston is in the playoffs
If the Texans lose:
– They are out of the playoffs
Steelers at Dolphins
If the Steelers win:
– If New York and Baltimore win, it doesn’t matter, they are out.
– If only 1 of the 2 (New York and Baltimore) win, Pittsburgh is in the playoffs if Houston loses.
– If both New York and Baltimore lose, Pittsburgh is in the playoffs if Denver loses, or if Denver wins and Houston loses. If Denver and Houston both win, they are out.
If the Steelers lose:
– They are out of the playoffs
Jaguars at Browns
If the Jaguars win:
– If at least 2 of the 5 of New York, Baltimore, Denver, Houston, and Pittsburgh win, they are out.
– If all 5 of those teams lose, or if only 1 wins, Jacksonville is in the playoffs.
If the Jaguars lose:
– The are out of the playoffs
Dolphins vs. Steelers
If the Dolphins win:
– If New York, Baltimore, Houston, or Jacksonville wins, they are out
– If only Denver wins and the 4 teams above lose, of if all 5 teams lose, Miami is in the playoffs
If the Dolphins lose:
– They are out of the playoffs
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