The NFL playoff race often supplies a variety of drama over the ultimate few weeks of the regular-season, however which may not be the case this 12 months, at the very least within the AFC.
In what would probably be a nightmare state of affairs for the NFL, the AFC might have all seven playoff spots clinched by the tip of Week 16. If that occurs, the ultimate two weeks of the common season would undoubtedly lose some luster within the AFC, which is unquestionably not what the NFL desires to see.
If each AFC spot will get clinched by the tip of Sunday, it will be unprecedented: In accordance to NFL playoff guru Joe Ferreira, for the reason that AFL-NFL merger in 1970, no convention has ever had ALL of its playoff berths clinched with two weeks left to play within the season and that is precisely what might occur within the AFC if all of the spots are clinched after Week 16.
So what has to occur for this nightmare state of affairs to unfold? It begins on Thursday night time with the Broncos enjoying the Chargers in an enormous showdown with main playoff implications.
Right here is the state of affairs the place each AFC playoff spot will get stuffed this week:
It could undoubtedly take a number of upsets, however upsets occur on a regular basis in divisional video games, which is what we’re getting three of the 4 video games above. Additionally, nobody could be stunned if the 49ers beat the Dolphins in a recreation the place San Francisco is at the moment favored by one level.
If these 4 outcomes occur, then all seven playoff spots will probably be locked up within the AFC with two weeks left to play. This could be unlucky for the NFL, however it might flip into a complete nightmare state of affairs if the next three issues additionally occur:
If these three outcomes had been to occur, which means ALL 4 divisions could be clinched after Week 16 and the Chiefs would have clinched the No. 1 general seed. At that time, the one drama over the ultimate two weeks of the season would contain the Ravens, Chargers and Broncos battling it out to see which wild-card seed they find yourself with. The Steelers and Payments would even be battling it out for the second and third seeds, however for all intents and functions, there would not be a lot drama.
In fact, all of this may be prevented if the Broncos win on Thursday night time. If Denver wins, there is not any state of affairs the place all seven AFC playoff spots may be clinched this week.
