Beercloud wrote:
What a week.
Division rivalries were in full force in week 15.
Carolina takes down division rival New Orleans to ruin their undefeated run. Not only that but it propels the Panthers into the playoffs. What a huge game this was for Carolina.
But wait there's more.
The Packers/Bears fued is renewed in Paydirt. Chicago beats Green Bay in an exciting 24-20 game that knocks the Pack out of the playoffs after their great late season surge.
You want more still?
Cleveland beats cross state rival Cincinnati 17-16 in the game of the week that not only gives the Browns their 3rd AFC North title in 3 years, but it knocks their division foes out of the dance. Done and done.
The playoffs are now set with exception of a few seeding things to straighten out.
Oh and that battle for the AFC East title between Buffalo and New England?
Ya that's still a thing. The thing thats been a see-saw battle all year long.
They are tied going into the last week of the season.
Buffalo travels to San Francisco and New England takes on Kansas City at home. Both Kansas City and San Francisco are secured in their playoff spots. So both teams might be resting players which could make things even that more interesting.
In the AFC, only KC and Jacksonville are definite seeds. Otherwise, seeds 2, 3, 5 and 6 are still up in the air.
Cleveland needs to win to ensure a 2nd seed and bye week unless New England and Buffalo both lose.
I think a win by New England elevates them to the 2nd seed irrespective of whether Cleveland wins by virtue of their identical overall and conference records and New England's 1 point win over Cleveland earlier the season.
Wins by both New England and Buffalo, coupled with a loss by San Diego leaves Buffalo with the second seed, Cleveland with the third seed, New England with the 5th seed, and drops San Diego to the 6th seed (and a rematch with Buffalo).
San Diego needs to win no matter what to ensure a 5th seed unless New England loses. (Dare it risk injuries in week 16 just to preserve a 5th seed?)
In the NFC, things are a bit more settled - not really.
New Orleans will keep its 1 seed by virtue of its 1 point win over Seattle earlier this season no matter what Seattle does.
Seattle will keep its 2 seed if it wins. If it loses and San Francisco wins, they will the for the division crown - identical division and conference records and a split of their 2 games head-to-head. (Not sure what breaks the tie.)
Potential complication if Seattle loses and San Francisco wins and both Chicago and Washington win: All 4 teams, 3 of which won division titles, will have identical 12-4 records.
Oh, my head is spinning with the possibilities.
