By Week 18, the NFL’s playoff landscape may no longer have real appeal.
With two games left, the game has been basically determined, except for the AFC North champion and the NFC South champion. Both divisions are likely to be finalized this week. The only two wild-card contenders who are still mathematically alive but not currently on the field are the Colts and Lions. According to NFL.com, they have a 4% and 6% chance of making the playoffs. The NFL has to fill Saturday and Sunday night slots in Week 18, and there likely won’t be many good options.
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What could save NFL schedulers is the No. 1 seed game. That should be clearer after Sunday night’s game between two 11-4 teams.
The Chicago Bears and San Francisco 49ers are both expected to be very important No. 1 seeds in the NFC. The loser of this game is likely to be eliminated from the tournament. The Bears will likely win the NFC North regardless of Sunday night’s outcome, but the 49ers’ path to the division title and top seed depends on winning. San Francisco will be the top seed in the NFC with two more wins over the Bears and Seahawks in Week 18.
The Seahawks still have a chance to compete for the NFC’s top seed, but Sunday night’s result should simplify the contest.
(Yahoo Sports/Tyler William)
Here are the other Week 17 games with the biggest playoff implications:
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Houston Texans vs. Los Angeles Chargers
In the 17th week of the game, the game that has the most direct impact on the AFC playoff pattern is probably the Houston Texans’ away game against the Los Angeles Chargers. A loss to the Texans would give the Jaguars a chance to win one more of their final two games to clinch the AFC South title. Jacksonville plays Indianapolis on Sunday and ends up hosting the Titans. The Chargers are a lurker in the AFC Championship game. While we’ve been talking about the Broncos and Patriots competing for the No. 1 seed for weeks, the Chargers can capture the AFC West with a win and have a chance at the No. 1 seed. That means beating a tough Texans team and then beating the Broncos in Denver to end the season. NFL executives are hoping to end the season with the Chargers taking on the Broncos for the AFC West title matchup, as it will be an easy flex choice on Sunday night.
Baltimore Ravens vs. Green Bay Packers
This game should have been more impactful, but the Packers’ loss to the Bears last week put Chicago on the inside track to win the NFC North, while the Ravens’ loss to the Patriots last week means the Steelers can lock up the AFC North title with a win over Cleveland on Sunday. Or, if the Ravens lose, the Steelers can seal the win on Saturday night. That could allow Pittsburgh to rest players in its final two games. If the Ravens win and the Browns beat the Steelers on Sunday, the Ravens-Steelers game in Week 18 will determine the division title.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Miami Dolphins
The Buccaneers are out of form, losing six of seven games. But they can still clinch the NFC South title with a win. If the Buccaneers beat the Dolphins on Sunday, the Week 18 game against the Panthers will be for the NFC South title regardless of whether the Panthers win in Week 17. If the Buccaneers lose and the Panthers win on Sunday, Carolina will lock up the division title, making the Week 18 matchup meaningless for both teams. The NFL will root for the Buccaneers on Sunday with the Week 18 schedule in mind.
Seattle Seahawks vs. Carolina Panthers
The Rams will be watching this game closely. The Rams need to win and give the 49ers and Seahawks a game each to win the NFC West. Since the 49ers and Seahawks will face off in Week 18, the Rams will not win the division title if both San Francisco and Seattle win this week. For the top seed, the Rams need one loss each from the 49ers, Seahawks and Bears. Seattle just needs to earn the No. 1 seed.
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The Panthers need to win to prevent the Buccaneers from losing in Miami. Both games begin at 1 pm ET on Sunday. If the Panthers win and Tampa Bay loses, Carolina will be the NFC South champion. But if Tampa Bay wins at Miami, the outcome for the Panthers won’t matter; the Panthers and Buccaneers will battle for the NFC South title in Week 18. But the Panthers won’t know that outcome ahead of time.