Here’s how each conference’s playoff picture is shaping up (x denotes clinched teams):
AFC
1. x- New England Patriots, 13-2 (clinched home-field advantage with win on Sunday in Buffalo)
2. x- Pittsburgh Steelers, 11-4 (can clinch bye with win next week)
3. x- Kansas City Chiefs, 10-5
4. Indianapolis Colts, 9-6 (can claim AFC South title with win in Week 17)
5. x- Baltimore Ravens, 11-4 (can clinch bye with win and a Steelers loss in Week 17)
6. x- New York Jets 10-5
In the hunt:
Jacksonville Jaguars, 8-7 (can claim AFC South title with win and Colts loss in Week 17)
NOTICE EVERY GAME ON THE SLATE NEXT WEEK IS A DIVISIONAL MATCH-UP! WELL DONE NFL SCHEDULING. WHO NEEDS AN UNBALANCED 18 GAMES. It’s perfect right now.
React: Steelers should smush the Browns, locking up the 2 spot. That means The Jets go to Arrowhead, where they likely edge the Chiefs by a field goal, before bowing out at Foxboro. The Ravens should grind the Colts slowly, but surely, 23-20, setting up a return date in Pittsburgh.
NFC
1. x- Atlanta Falcons, 12-2 (can clinch home-field advantage with win vs. Saints on Monday)
2. x- Chicago Bears, 11-4 (can clinch bye with loss by Eagles on Tuesday or a win next week)
3. x- Philadelphia Eagles (need wins in final two games and a Week 17 loss by Bears to claim bye)
4. St. Louis Rams, 7-8 (must win on road against Seattle Seahawks next week to claim NFC West)
5. New Orleans Saints, 10-4 (can clinch playoff berth with win on Monday in Atlanta; still eligible to win NFC South)
6. Green Bay Packers, 9-6 (can clinch playoff berth by beating Bears in Week 17)
In the hunt:
New York Giants, 9-6 (could have clinched by beating Packers in Week 17)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 9-6 (if Saints lose Monday, can claim playoff berth by winning in New Orleans in Week 17)
Seattle Seahawks, 6-9 (can win NFC West by beating Rams in Week 17)
React: I can hear the shrieking of Giants fans all the way to Syracuse. They may still redeem themselves because I don’t like the Pack’s chances against the Bears. I think Big Blue slimes into the 6-spot and gets badly beaten in Philly. I think the Saints play themselves in at the expense of the Bucs, who are fading, then stomp the Rams to set up a date with the Falcons where anything can happen. That leaves a fascinating match up of Eagles-Bears at Soldier Field in the snow and cold. Who wins? Irresistible force of immovable object? You choose…
