NFL Playoff Scenarios

Here are your 2008 Week 17 Playoff Scenarios

CLINCHED: Tennessee – AFC South and homefield advantage.

Pittsburgh – AFC North and first-round bye.

Indianapolis – Playoff spot

ELIMINATED: Buffalo, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Houston, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Oakland.

Miami clinches AFC East Division with:

1) MIA win OR

2) MIA tie + NE loss or tie.

Miami clinches a playoff spot with:

1) MIA tie + BAL loss.

New England clinches AFC East Division with:

1) NE win + MIA loss or tie OR

2) NE tie + MIA loss.

New England clinches playoff spot with:

1) NE win + BAL loss or tie OR

2) NE tie + BAL loss.

NY Jets clinch AFC East Division with:

• NYJ win + NE loss.

NY Jets clinch playoff spot with:

1) NYJ win + BAL loss.

Baltimore clinches a playoff spot with:

1) BAL win OR

2) BAL tie + MIA loss or tie OR

3) BAL tie + NE loss or tie OR

4) NE loss.

Denver clinches AFC West Division with:

1) DEN win or tie.

San Diego clinches AFC West Division with:

1) SD win.

CLINCHED: N.Y. Giants – NFC East and homefield advantage.

Arizona – NFC West.

Carolina – Playoff spot.

Atlanta – Playoff spot.

ELIMINATED: Detroit, Green Bay, New Orleans, St. Louis, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington.

Dallas clinches a playoff spot with:

1) DAL win OR

2) DAL tie + CHI loss or tie + TB loss OR

3) DAL tie + MIN loss or tie + TB loss OR

4) DAL tie + CHI loss + TB tie OR

5) DAL tie + MIN loss + TB tie.

Philadelphia clinches a playoff spot with:

1) PHI win + TB loss + MIN loss OR

2) PHI win + TB loss + CHI loss.

Atlanta clinches NFC South Division and a first-round bye with:

1) ATL win + CAR loss.

Carolina clinches NFC South Division and a first-round bye with:

1) CAR win or tie OR

2) ATL loss or tie.

Tampa Bay clinches a playoff spot with:

IF CHICAGO BEATS GREEN BAY:

1) TB win + DAL loss or tie OR

2) TB tie + DAL loss + MIN loss or tie OR

3) TB tie + DAL loss + CHI loss or tie OR

4) TB tie + DAL tie + MIN tie + CHI win or tie OR

5) TB tie + DAL tie + CHI tie + MIN win or tie.

Minnesota clinches NFC North with:

1) MIN win OR

2) MIN tie + CHI loss or tie OR

3) CHI loss.

Minnesota clinches a playoff spot with:

1) MIN tie + DAL loss + TB loss.

Chicago clinches NFC North Division with:

1) CHI win + MIN loss or tie OR

2) CHI tie + MIN loss.

Chicago clinches a playoff spot with:

1) CHI win + DAL loss or tie + TB loss or tie OR

2) CHI tie + DAL loss + TB loss.

Helmet Graphics Courtesy MGHelmets.com

BREAKING NEWS

Multiple sources are reporting that Adam “Pacman” Jones has been suspended indefinitely by the league following the latest incident–which involved police responding to a call from hotel employees about an alleged altercation involving Jones and his round the clock security guards–to involve the talented corner back. Jones will sit out for at least four games before Roger Goodell makes a decision on the future of the Cowboys corner.

A side note, written in honor of the Budweiser’s Real Men of Genius series.

Welcome Cowboys fans to the land of What Coulda been

With the injury to Tony Romo that will keep him sidelined for the next 4 weeks, the loss of your Pro-Bowl punter, the question surrounding Roy Williams’ return, the loss of starting corner back Terrance Newman possibly out for the next 6 weeks, Felix Jones being out the next 2-4 weeks, and the possible meltdown of your star receiver, I would, as a Patriots fan, like to welcome the Cowboys’ fans across America to the land of ‘What coulda been if we coulda stayed healthy’. (That’s a lot of guys hurt)

Now, you will wonder if your team can beat the Raiders, and what the hell you will get from your quarterback who might be better suited for a career that requires his asking, ‘Paper or plastic ma’am’. (Johnson and Cassel really suck)

Yes, your dreams of a Super Bowl have been dashed and destroyed as your team, once thought to be the power of the NFL, has dropped 2 of its last 3, and with games against the Bucs, Redskins, Eagles, Steelers, and two against the Giants, you could drop below .500 faster than my heart dropped at the sight of my team’s season being severed in two by Bernard Pollard’s helmet. (Ouch that’s gonna hurt for 16 weeks)

So grab some cold ones, and get ready to just not give shit every Sunday, because what the hell, both #81s are about to go into complete shut down mode, and our quarterbacks can’t throw 40 yards with a nerf football. (What the hell’s the point)

(Welcome Cowboys fans to the land of what coulda been.)

Around the NFL

The Pats cut four players and have another 14 cuts to make in order to get to the 53 man limit.

Former Pats LB Rosey Colvin was cut by the Texans.

Chad Henne looks to have the backup job in Miami secure as Josh McCown was dealt.

Matt Hasselbeck may be throwing to himself this year.

The Cowboys fill a hole on their offensive line while they have some issues at receiver.

Surprise, suprise, Al Davis is feuding with his coach.

Phillip Rivers wants to work on his image…..or he finally realized LT is why he is a winning QB.

Buffalo and their All-Pro LT remain at loggerheads.

The New Jersey Jets are not worried about the play of one of their rookies…..yet.

Cadillac Williams will have to wait to try to reclaim his starting job.

Braylon Edwards says he will be ready for the opener while explaining how he missed three weeks of practice.

Mike Tomlin expects things to improve in the Steel Ciy in his second year.

UPDATES

Kevin Faulk received a one game suspension for drug possession.

Rudi Johnson got his walking papers. 

Around the NFL

LB Shawne Merriman has decided to forego surgery and attempt to play this season…..a highly risky move on his part that could, at just 26, put his career in jeopardy.

The Pats continue to experiment with their defensive formations.

The Bengals are hoping to help their banged up WR core by using RB Rudi Johnson as trade bait…… with a 2.9 ypc last year, what are they going to get in reurn?

The Jags finally get DE Derrick Harvey into camp. This guy is suppose to be the pure pass rusher they lack, but his missing most of the pre-season will not help them.

The cracks are starting to show in Indy. Peyton Manning is back at practice, but he will be without his starting center for at least 6 weeks.

The Ravens made a move to replace the injured DL Dwan Edwards.

Also in Ravens news, it appears QB Kyle Boller does not need surgery…..I am sure the Baltimore faithful will sleep at ease knowing that.

Matt Ryan was recently named the starting QB for the Atlanta Falcons, a difficult task for a first year player. Ryan will not have to look too far in his own locker room to see how this could turn out for him.

The Cowboys look to add some depth behind their superstar QB.

Speaking of back ups, SI.com’s Don Banks apparently had a slow news day and ranked all 32 of the NFL’s backup QBs.

Finally, sad news to report. Two days ago, Kyle Eckel, the undrafted fullback from the Naval Academy, was let go by the Patriots despite having as many TDs as Willie Parker and Julius Jones, and more scores than Thomas Jones.

UPDATES

The reasons as to why two former Pro-Bowlers remain unemployed are starting to surface.

First, according to Romeo Crennell, if Ty Law is going to start then he wants starter’s salary, and this is more than likely what has prevented New England from signing him thus far. The Pats brought in a slew of DB and would probably be unwilling to chew up remaining cap space for the 34 year-old.

Second, Daunte Culpepper, despite being injured for most of the past few seasons, has not convinced teams he is willing to accept a back up role as some teams believe he expects to be given the chance to compete for a starting spot. Culpepper is probably not going to get a starting job until he can prove he is healthy and can play at a high level again….playing in Oakland and Miami have done him no favors.