According to the NFL, there's only one NFC team that can clinch a playoff spot this weekend. That's the 10-2 Atlanta Falcons. The Dallas Cowboys can help send Atlanta to the playoffs. By beating the Eagles, Dallas would help usher the Dirty Birds into the playoffs with a New York Giants loss or a Green Bay Packers loss, as long as Atlanta wins. Instead of just being spoilers, we can be enablers and help other teams in. Hey, when your playoff shot went out the window over a month ago, you've got to do something. Sure, winning is the reason for playing the games, but hurting some teams while helping others can be a form of entertainment, too. So here's to Atlanta, because we plan to beat Philly and give you guys a little help.
NFC
ATLANTA FALCONS - Atlanta clinches a playoff spot with:
1) ATL win + NYG loss + PHI loss OR
2) ATL win + NYG loss + GB loss OR
3) ATL win + PHI loss + GB loss OR
4) ATL tie + NYG loss + PHI loss + GB loss + TB loss or tie
There are other scenarios in which the Falcons can clinch a playoff spot if any of the games involving the New York Giants, Philadelphia, or Green Bay end in a tie.
AFC playoff scenarios below...
AFC
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS - New England clinches a playoff spot with:
1) NE win or tie OR
2) MIA loss or tie + JAX loss or tie OR
3) MIA loss or tie + IND loss or tie
There are other scenarios in which the Patriots may clinch a playoff spot if they clinch the strength of victory tiebreaker over certain teams this weekend.
NEW YORK JETS - New York Jets clinch a playoff spot with:
1) NYJ win + SD loss or tie + JAX loss or tie OR
2) NYJ win + SD loss or tie + IND loss or tie OR
3) NYJ tie + OAK loss or tie + SD loss + IND loss
PITTSBURGH STEELERS - Pittsburgh clinches a playoff spot with:
1) PIT win + JAX loss or tie + NE win or tie + MIA loss or tie OR
2) PIT win + IND loss or tie + NE win or tie + MIA loss or tie OR
3) PIT win + IND loss or tie + NE win or tie + OAK loss or tie + SD loss or tie OR
4) PIT win + IND loss or tie + MIA loss or tie + OAK loss or tie OR
5) PIT tie + MIA loss or tie + OAK loss or tie + SD loss or tie + IND loss
There are other scenarios in which the Steelers may clinch a playoff spot if they clinch the strength of victory tiebreaker over certain teams this weekend.