NFL Update
After Week 16 many playoff bids were decided, and the playoff picture was almost set. So, let's get you updated on all the NFL News that's been going around recently.
First, for all you 49ers fans Mike Singletary has been fired with one game left. Many mistakes cost the 49ers a chance at winning against St. Louis on Sunday. A win would have put the 49ers in control of their own destiny, but the loss sets up the scene for next Sunday's St. Louis at Seattle game.
The Rams bested the Seahawks 20-3 earlier in the year and own the better record, at 7-8, but they would lose the tiebreaker with a loss. If the Rams win, they will most likely be facing the Saints in the first round.
However, a loss will make NFL history. Since Seattle is 6-9, if they win they would claim the division title with a losing record, something never done. The 1985 Browns and 2008 Chargers won their division with 8-8 records, but it has never been awarded to a team with a 7-9 record.
The AFC is pretty easy to figure out. 13-2 New England clinched the top spot, while a win over 5-10 Cleveland will give Pittsburgh the second seed in the AFC. With San Diego's loss at Cincinnati, Kansas City clinched the AFC West title and can grab the third seed and a match-up with the New York Jets with a win or an Indianapolis loss. And Indy can claim the AFC South title with a win over Tennessee or a Jacksonville loss to Houston.
The AFC wildcards are set, assuming Pittsburgh beats Cleveland. Baltimore would have the five seed wrapped up if they lose or Pittsburgh wins, and the Jets are locked up in the sixth spot. A win and a KC loss, and the Chiefs host Baltimore while Indianapolis welcomes the Jets back. But if KC beats Oakland or Indy can't handle the Titans, KC plays the Jets and the Colts meet Baltimore again.
Now to the NFC. The Atlanta Falcons have clinched a playoff spot, and they can clinch the top seed in the NFC and the NFC South title with a win over New Orleans tonight. If the Saints win, then Atlanta just needs to top 2-13 Carolina and they are fine. If they go winless in those 2, Tampa Bay would have to deliver the Saints a setback.
With the New York Giants' blowout loss at Green Bay, the Giants have exited the NFC East picture, with Philadelphia taking home the title even with their game delayed until tomorrow night because of weather. And Chicago already has the NFC North title wrapped up, and with a win over Detroit or a Philadelphia loss against Dallas or Minnesota, they can clinch a first round bye.
Then there's the NFC West. With a 25-17 win over San Francisco the Rams deleted the 49ers from the playoff picture, while the 49ers fired Mike Singletary. Seattle's loss at Tampa Bay does nothing to them, but it keeps Tampa Bay alive in the playoff picture. However, the Seahawks have lost 3 straight games, all by at least 16 points, with their last win a come-from behind victory against 2-13 Carolina.
The Rams-Seahawks game will be televised nationally on NBC at 5;20 PM PT. Now to the wild card picture. With their dominating win over the Giants, Green Bay controls their own playoff destiny. A road win over Minnesota and they are in. And for the Saints, a road win over Atlanta or Tampa Bay would have them traveling to St. Louis or Seattle for the first round of the playoffs.
If New Orleans takes one of their next two games and Green Bay wins theirs, then Green Bay will play at Philadelphia and the Saints will travel to St. Louis or Seattle. However, New Orleans should be happy either way, considering they dominated both teams in the regular season.
Here is how the playoff picture looks now:
AFC
1 New England-home field advantage
2 Pittsburgh-first round bye
3 Kansas City-vs New York Jets
4 Indianapolis-vs Baltimore
5 Baltimore-at Indianapolis
6 New York Jets-at Kansas City
Note: All of those teams have clinched playoff bids except for Indianapolis. A loss and a Jacksonville win, and the Jaguars will play Baltimore.
NFC
1-Atlanta-home field advantage
2 Chicago-first round bye
3 Philadelphia-vs Green Bay
4 St. Louis-vs New Orleans
5 New Orleans-at St. Louis
6 Green Bay-at Philadelphia
Note: A loss and a New York Giants or Tampa Bay win, and the Packers will be out of the playoffs. If the Saints lose out, then the Giants would claim the spot with the best strength of victory.
First, for all you 49ers fans Mike Singletary has been fired with one game left. Many mistakes cost the 49ers a chance at winning against St. Louis on Sunday. A win would have put the 49ers in control of their own destiny, but the loss sets up the scene for next Sunday's St. Louis at Seattle game.
The Rams bested the Seahawks 20-3 earlier in the year and own the better record, at 7-8, but they would lose the tiebreaker with a loss. If the Rams win, they will most likely be facing the Saints in the first round.
However, a loss will make NFL history. Since Seattle is 6-9, if they win they would claim the division title with a losing record, something never done. The 1985 Browns and 2008 Chargers won their division with 8-8 records, but it has never been awarded to a team with a 7-9 record.
The AFC is pretty easy to figure out. 13-2 New England clinched the top spot, while a win over 5-10 Cleveland will give Pittsburgh the second seed in the AFC. With San Diego's loss at Cincinnati, Kansas City clinched the AFC West title and can grab the third seed and a match-up with the New York Jets with a win or an Indianapolis loss. And Indy can claim the AFC South title with a win over Tennessee or a Jacksonville loss to Houston.
The AFC wildcards are set, assuming Pittsburgh beats Cleveland. Baltimore would have the five seed wrapped up if they lose or Pittsburgh wins, and the Jets are locked up in the sixth spot. A win and a KC loss, and the Chiefs host Baltimore while Indianapolis welcomes the Jets back. But if KC beats Oakland or Indy can't handle the Titans, KC plays the Jets and the Colts meet Baltimore again.
Now to the NFC. The Atlanta Falcons have clinched a playoff spot, and they can clinch the top seed in the NFC and the NFC South title with a win over New Orleans tonight. If the Saints win, then Atlanta just needs to top 2-13 Carolina and they are fine. If they go winless in those 2, Tampa Bay would have to deliver the Saints a setback.
With the New York Giants' blowout loss at Green Bay, the Giants have exited the NFC East picture, with Philadelphia taking home the title even with their game delayed until tomorrow night because of weather. And Chicago already has the NFC North title wrapped up, and with a win over Detroit or a Philadelphia loss against Dallas or Minnesota, they can clinch a first round bye.
Then there's the NFC West. With a 25-17 win over San Francisco the Rams deleted the 49ers from the playoff picture, while the 49ers fired Mike Singletary. Seattle's loss at Tampa Bay does nothing to them, but it keeps Tampa Bay alive in the playoff picture. However, the Seahawks have lost 3 straight games, all by at least 16 points, with their last win a come-from behind victory against 2-13 Carolina.
The Rams-Seahawks game will be televised nationally on NBC at 5;20 PM PT. Now to the wild card picture. With their dominating win over the Giants, Green Bay controls their own playoff destiny. A road win over Minnesota and they are in. And for the Saints, a road win over Atlanta or Tampa Bay would have them traveling to St. Louis or Seattle for the first round of the playoffs.
If New Orleans takes one of their next two games and Green Bay wins theirs, then Green Bay will play at Philadelphia and the Saints will travel to St. Louis or Seattle. However, New Orleans should be happy either way, considering they dominated both teams in the regular season.
Here is how the playoff picture looks now:
AFC
1 New England-home field advantage
2 Pittsburgh-first round bye
3 Kansas City-vs New York Jets
4 Indianapolis-vs Baltimore
5 Baltimore-at Indianapolis
6 New York Jets-at Kansas City
Note: All of those teams have clinched playoff bids except for Indianapolis. A loss and a Jacksonville win, and the Jaguars will play Baltimore.
NFC
1-Atlanta-home field advantage
2 Chicago-first round bye
3 Philadelphia-vs Green Bay
4 St. Louis-vs New Orleans
5 New Orleans-at St. Louis
6 Green Bay-at Philadelphia
Note: A loss and a New York Giants or Tampa Bay win, and the Packers will be out of the playoffs. If the Saints lose out, then the Giants would claim the spot with the best strength of victory.
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