AFC Playoff Picture Post Damar Hamlin Cardiac Arrest Incident: Possible Outcomes

Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers take on Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field in the Sunday Night Football game of Week 18 which is a must-win Playoff season finale. On NBC and Peacock, Football Night in America airs live coverage at 7:00 p.m. ET.

As the regular season draws to a close, we’re now formally considering the NFL playoff picture and who will be competing for a berth in this February’s Super Bowl LVII in Glendale, Arizona. Here is where the playoff race stands going into the weekend.

AFC Playoff Picture Post Damar Hamlin Cardiac Arrest Incident

Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers take on Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field in the Sunday Night Football game of Week 18 which is a must-win season finale. On NBC and Peacock, Football Night in America airs live coverage at 7:00 p.m. ET.

As the regular season draws to a close, we’re now formally considering the NFL playoff picture and who will be competing for a berth in this February’s Super Bowl LVII in Glendale, Arizona. Here is where the playoff race stands going into the weekend.

Greetings from NFL Week 18, everyone. Here are the playoffs’ potential outcomes.

NFC

The following are up for grabs:

With the number one overall seed comes a bye and home field advantage.
NFC North championship
Three clubs are competing for the last Wild Card place.
So, let’s start off by looking at that NFC North matchup to make things a little easier.

NFC North

  • Teams fighting for the spot: Philadelphia, Dallas
  • Who controls their own destiny: Philadelphia

Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles have struggled without Jalen Hurts at quarterback after spending the whole season atop the NFC and their division. Philadelphia has the simplest path to winning the division, and if they do, they will automatically receive the top seed.

The Giants team they face has already secured its postseason spot and has nothing to gain from this contest. But since this is a rivalry, it makes sense that New York would want to surprise Philadelphia.

Win against the Giants OR Dallas loses in order to clinch the NFC North.

Dallas Cowboys

Dallas’ season was thought to be over once Dak Prescott suffered an injury in Week 1, but the team has managed to not only claw its way back, but also to within a whisker of both the No. 1 spot and the division title.

They have a chance because of a victory over the Eagles a few weeks ago, but they’ll need the Giants’ assistance to make that dream come true.

Win against the Commanders AND Philadelphia loses to clinch the NFC North.

No. 1 Seed

Dallas, San Francisco, and Philadelphia are the competing teams.
Who is in charge of their own fate: Philadelphia
Eagles of Philadelphia

With a victory, Philadelphia is guaranteed to win the NFC North and the top seed. However, with a little help, they can still secure the bye even if they lose. In order to maintain their top ranking, the Eagles must defeat Dallas as well as the San Francisco 49ers.

Win over the Giants OR Dallas AND San Francisco lose to clinch the No. 1 seed.

San Francisco 49ers

The Niners have reached this point with Brock Purdy as their third quarterback in part because of a potent defence. They can gain from a victory over a mediocre Arizona Cardinals squad and the Eagles losing to the Giants because they already have the division title locked up.

Win against the Cardinals AND Philadelphia loses in order to clinch the No. 1 seed

Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys would win the NFC championship but not the top spot with a win and an Eagles defeat. In order for Dallas to advance to the divisional round without much difficulty, the Niners must also lose against the Cardinals.

Win against the Commanders AND Philadelphia & San Francisco lose in order to clinch the No. 1 seed.

Final Wild Card Berth

Green Bay, Seattle, and Detroit are the competing teams.
Who is in charge of their own fate: Green Bay
Green Bay Packers

The Packers are in charge of this situation despite being ranked ninth overall in the NFC. If they defeat the Lions at home, they have all the cards and will effectively move into the last slot. There is also no option for Aaron Rodgers and company to enter if they lose. Everything is at stake.

To clinch the playoffs: Win vs. the Lions

Seattle Seahawks

Seattle is in a special situation. They can only in if they win and then hope that the Lions defeat Green Bay. The Seahawks’ 48-45 victory over Detroit in Week 4 will be the reason they advance and give them this advantage.

Win against the Rams AND Green Bay is defeated to clinch the playoffs.

Detroit Lions

The Lions have had a miraculous season thus far, but the dream won’t be realised until they secure a playoff spot for the first time since 2016.

But they require a lot of assistance. They will have to hope that a struggling Rams squad can defeat Seattle in addition to defeating the Packers.

To clinch the playoffs: Win vs. Packers AND Seattle loses.

AFC

For the purposes of this hypothetical, let’s assume that the NFL, as the AP has reported, will be cancelling the Bills-Bengals game. In light of that, the following is what’s up for grabs:

With the number one overall seed comes a bye and home field advantage.
The AFC South title
There may be four clubs vying for the last Wild Card slot.

AFC South

Teams vying for the position: Tennessee and Jacksonville
Who is in charge of their own fate: both teams
The Jaguars are not only still in the postseason race, but they are also in control of it. Not only may they win the division, but if they lose they might even qualify for the Wild Card.

The latter cannot be said of the Tennessee Titans, who controlled the AFC South for the majority of the season before seeing it escape their control. They can still do things, but without a victory, they are finished.

Win and in for both teams to secure the AFC South championship.

 

Final Wild Card Spot

  • Teams fighting for the spot: New England, Miami, Pittsburgh, Jacksonville
  • Who controls their own destiny: New England

New England Patriots

In terms of simplicity, the task is plain for New England: win, and you’re in. The Buffalo Bills would be their opponent, which would be their only issue.

The fact that the Patriots would be facing a fantastic Bills club—a squad they used to humiliate and could want nothing more than to knock out of the playoffs permanently—makes it difficult enough.

However, they are facing the Bills. One that recently experienced a tragedy and will be playing at home in front of supporters on Sunday giving the team more energy than a thunderbolt.

They will need to cross their fingers for the following to occur if they lose: Saturday’s victory by the Jaguars, followed by the Dolphins’ defeat, to the Jets, and 3) the Browns beat the Steelers.

To make the playoffs: Win vs. Bills OR: Lose AND Jacksonville wins AND Miami and Pittsburgh lose.

New England Patriots

In terms of simplicity, the task is plain for New England: win, and you’re in. The Buffalo Bills would be their opponent, which would be their only issue.

Miami Dolphins

Miami has the simplest path to the playoffs, despite the fact that New England might have some control over its course.

They will need to defeat a struggling Jets squad at home to start. No positive outcomes result from a loss for them. Once all is done, all that remains is to hope the Patriots lose.

Win vs. Jets AND New England loses for a playoff spot.

Pittsburgh Steelers

A win is where it all begins. For Mike Tomlin to continue having winning seasons, that is what is necessary. The Steelers can only qualify for the playoffs this way.

After that, they’ll require extra assistance. For this to succeed, both AFC East clubs who are still in contention must lose, and that’s not a guarantee.

Win over the Browns AND New England and Miami lose to qualify for the playoffs.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Only in the event that the Jaguars lose against the Titans is this scenario applicable. If everyone else loses, they can still earn a spot in the Wild Card round.

Losing to TEN would allow New England, Miami, and Pittsburgh to all advance to the playoffs.

And now we arrive at the question of the Number One Seed

Teams vying for the position include Buffalo and Kansas City
Who chooses their own fate: Well, it’s difficult.
The events of last Monday have completely disrupted the competition for first place. The likelihood of an AFC Championship game played at a neutral location is strong as the league makes its decision on Friday.

This is because, despite not playing a comparable number of games, Kansas City might end up earning the top seed and holding a competitive advantage over the Bengals and Bills.

The No. 1 seed is currently held by Kansas City, followed by Buffalo and Cincinnati. However, Buffalo beats Kansas City on a tie-breaker since they defeated the Chiefs earlier this year.

In order to properly lay things out, we will detail each possible scenario that could determine who the one seed could be and what their advantage is.

  • If BUF and KC both win/tie: Chiefs get the No. 1 seed and a bye; in the event of a Bills-Chiefs AFC title game, it would be held at a neutral site
  • If BUF and KC both lose AND BAL wins/ties: Chiefs get the No. 1 seed and a bye; in the event of a Bills-Chiefs AFC title game, it would be held at a neutral site
  • If BUF and KC both lose AND CIN wins: Chiefs get the No. 1 seed and a bye, Bengals become the No. 2 seed, Bills become the No. 3 seed; a Bills v. Chiefs OR Bengals v. Chiefs AFC title game would be held at a neutral site
  • If BUF wins AND KC loses: Bills become the No. 1 seed, Chiefs become the No. 2 seed; NO NEUTRAL SITE SCENARIO

In the event that the Bengals and Ravens meet in the playoffs, there are also two distinct situations.

It’s possible that Baltimore and Cincinnati will square off in the AFC Wild Card game. Only if the Ravens, Bills, Chiefs, and Chargers all triumph would it occur. If that happens, a coin will be flipped to determine who gets to play on home field.

The schedule will remain the same if Cincinnati triumphs OR if the Ravens and Bengals do not play one another following a Baltimore victory.

 

 

GOT MORE NFL UPDATES-

Reports: Dolphins Might Fire Coach Mike McDaniel If They Lose This Weekend

Check Out the Depth Chart For Above Mentioned Teams