Tag: playoff scenarios

Seattle Seahawks’ Week 16 Rooting Guide

Seattle Seahawks’ Week 16 Rooting Guide

The Seattle Seattle Seahawks have a difficult matchup in Week 16, hosting the NFC-best 12-2 Minnesota Vikings. Seattle’s postseason chances are beginning to dwindle. They forfeited control of the NFC West last weekend. As things stand, the Seahawks would benefit greatly from some positive results in other games on Sunday. With that in mind, we’ve compiled your Week 16 rooting guide.

Jets over Rams

The Los Angeles Rams currently own the same record as the Seahawks at 8-6, but are currently in pole position in the NFC West as a result of defeating Mike Macdonald’s club in Week 9. A victory for Seattle paired with a loss for Sean McVay would place the Seahawks back atop the division. Unfortunately, relying on the New York Jets to execute the upset isn’t overly favorable.

Panthers over Cardinals

The Seahawks have already swept the regular-season series with the Cardinals, but they remain in the hunt at 7-7 and one victory behind Seattle. A loss on Sunday to the Carolina Panthers would essentially remove the Cardinals from the conversation. The Bryce Young-led Panthers have displayed sneaky-good improvement in recent showings.

Dolphins over 49ers

The 6-8 San Francisco 49ers need a miracle to catch the Seahawks and Rams in the NFC West, but alas, they remain alive until mathematically eliminated. This weekend, they’re traveling to face the Miami Dolphins. An incredibly disappointing campaign for Kyle Shanahan would reach its merciful end with a loss.

Eagles over Commanders

The 9-5 Washington Commanders are the only wild-card holder Seattle has a realistic chance of catching. After losing three consecutive contests, Dan Quinn’s squad is back on the winning track, capturing victories in three straight outings. The 12-2 Philadelphia Eagles may prove too much to handle, however.

Giants over Falcons

The 7-7 Atlanta Falcons are in a similar position to the Seahawks. They’re currently on the outside looking in, but remain in contention for both their division and a wild-card spot. Rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is making his debut start for the Falcons against the New York Giants on Sunday. Head coach Raheem Morris is hoping he can provide a much-needed spark.

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ESPN updates Seahawks’ playoff odds after Week 14 win

ESPN updates Seahawks’ playoff odds after Week 14 win

The Seattle Seahawks captured a massive victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, winning their Week 14 contest 30-18. Mike Macdonald’s squad has now successfully completed the regular-season sweep over the Cardinals. Seattle has won four consecutive games, including three straight divisional ones. Their postseason odds have drastically improved as a result.

The Seahawks now possess approximately a 55.5% chance to make the playoffs, according to ESPN’s Analytics department. Their predictive model gives Seattle a 51.8% chance to win the NFC West division title, which they currently lead by one game over the Los Angeles Rams. Macdonald’s surging squad must remain focused. A defeat on Sunday against the Green Bay Packers in Week 14, paired with a Rams win over the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday, would drop Seattle out of postseason seeding altogether, according to ESPN team reporter Brady Henderson.

A defeat to the Cardinals on Sunday would have dropped Seattle’s postseason odds to 11%, according to FTN Fantasy’s simulation model. It was a necessary victory for Macdonald’s squad within the NFC West. Seattle is now 3-2 within the division.

Seattle’s lone remaining divisional contest is versus those pesky Rams in Week 18. The NFC West could be decided on primetime. A victory over the Packers on Sunday would further strengthen the Seahawks’ postseason chances. Furthermore, all 12’s should be rooting for the 49ers to defeat the Rams on Thursday Night Football.

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NFL playoff scenarios for Week 14: Eagles among 3 teams who can clinch with a win

The Philadelphia Eagles are among three NFC teams that can clinch a playoff spot with a win in Week 14

The Eagles spent the early part of the season stacking wins, and even after a 42-19 loss to the 49ers last Sunday, Nick Sirianni’s team still has created a clinching scenario for Week 14.

All Philadelphia has to do is snap the Dallas Cowboys’ 14-game home winning streak in a Sunday night showdown.

The NFL just released the clinching scenarios, and three NFC teams can lock up spots, with the Eagles or Cowboys having to wait a week based on the outcome of their game.

The AFC has a much tighter race, and even with two teams having nine wins, their playoff picture is not so clear.

NFC playoff picture: Eagles postseason clinching scenarios for Week 13

We’re looking at four different scenarios where the Philadelphia Eagles can clinch a playoff spot in Week 13

The Eagles (10-1) are set to square off against the 49ers (8-3) in the NFL’s game of the week on FOX Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET.

Philadelphia has the best record in the NFL and the first opportunity to clinch a playoff spot with four different scenarios.

On the other end of the spectrum, Arizona, Carolina, and New England could all be mathematically eliminated from the playoffs this weekend.

Let’s take a look at the playoff scenarios heading into Week 13:

Jaguars would need 3 results Sunday if they lose Saturday

The Jaguars have another way into the playoffs if things go sideways Saturday.

The Jacksonville Jaguars only need to beat the reeling Tennessee Titans on Saturday to earn the AFC South title. But the Jaguars are also three Sunday results away from a postseason berth, even if they lose against the Titans

If the New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, and Cleveland Browns all win in Week 18 — beating the Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, and Pittsburgh Steelers, respectively — the Jaguars would be in line for a wild card berth

With those three results, every team in the AFC East other than the Bills would finish with matching 8-9 records. The  Pittsburgh Steelers would also drop to 8-9 on the year.

If the Jaguars slipped up against the Titans and finished with an 8-9 record, they’d have the tiebreaker over any other team thanks to their superior record in games against AFC opponents.

Jacksonville’s Week 17 road game against the Houston Texans was largely billed as meaningless with Doug Pederson explaining his decision not to rest starters. Now the 31-3 win has the Jaguars with multiple paths to the postseason.

Of course, the much less stressful way into the playoffs is to take out the Joshua Dobbs-led Titans on Saturday.

Is an AFC Wild Card berth even possible for the Jaguars?

The Jaguars have a shot at the AFC South crown, but could they still make the playoffs if they lose in Week 18?

The Jacksonville Jaguars’ pathway to an AFC South title is pretty simple: finish the season sweep of the Tennessee Titans with a win in Week 18 and take over the top spot in the division.

After a win Sunday was coupled with a Tennessee loss, the 6-8 Jaguars are now only a game behind the 7-7 Titans. So long as Jacksonville doesn’t drop back to two or three games behind Tennessee in the next couple weeks, the AFC South title will be decided on the last day of the season.

But what if the Jaguars fall short in that season finale? Is there another way into the playoffs? The answer is yes, but it’d be a long shot.

For now, the wild card race in the AFC looks like this:

  1. Baltimore Ravens: 9-5
  2. Los Angeles Chargers: 8-6
  3. Miami Dolphins: 8-6
  4. New England Patriots: 7-7
  5. New York Jets: 7-7
  6. Jacksonville Jaguars: 6-8

If the Jaguars win their last three games, they hop the queue and take a divisional crown. So we’re looking at a scenario where the Jaguars beat the Jets and Houston Texans in the next week, but finish 8-9 after a loss in their finale.

In that scenario, Baltimore can’t be caught, but an 8-9 record could be enough to track down the Chargers or Dolphins if either lose out. And Jacksonville owns a tiebreaker over every team in the mix, thanks to some head-to-head wins and a solid record in AFC matchups.

Even if Los Angeles and/or Miami lose three straight, the Jaguars would also need New England to fumble its chance by losing to the Bengals and Bills, and the Jets to lose a Week 17 game against the Seahawks.

There’s some wiggle room with the Jaguars needing to pass only three of those four teams, but all the scenarios are highly unlikely.

If Jacksonville doesn’t win the AFC South, don’t count on the team finding another way in.

NFL standings 2022: Jaguars make up another game in AFC South

The Jaguars officially control their own destiny now in the AFC South race after the Titans’ loss.

The Jacksonville Jaguars officially control their own destiny now after making up another game on the Tennessee Titans in Week 15.

With a 40-34 overtime victory, the Jaguars improved to 6-8 on the season while every other AFC South team lost. The Indianapolis Colts blew a 33-point lead on Saturday, the Houston Texans lost in overtime against the Kansas City Chiefs, and the Titans lost 17-14 to the Los Angeles Chargers.

Through the first 15 weeks, the AFC South standings now look like this:

  1. Tennessee Titans: 7-7
  2. Jacksonville Jaguars: 6-8
  3. Indianapolis Colts: 4-9-1
  4. Houston Texans: 1-12-1

The Colts are technically not eliminated in the division race, but could only win the division crown by winning their last three games while the Titans lost their last three and the Jaguars lost their next two.

Essentially, it’s a two-team race and the Jaguars only need to avoid losing ground in the next two weeks. If Jacksonville is a game behind, tied, or a game ahead of the Titans after the next two weeks, the two teams will duel for the AFC South title in Week 18.

Jacksonville will play back-to-back road games against the 7-7 New York Jets and the hapless Texans in the next two weeks. Tennessee has back-to-back home games up next against Houston and Dallas.

LSU Rooting Guide: Here’s what helps the Tigers’ College Football Playoff chances

Here’s what LSU fans should root for to improve the Tigers’ postseason chances.

With a win over Alabama, LSU is right back in the playoff discussion.

Despite having two losses, a potential trip to the SEC Championship game means a potential trip to the playoff. A two-loss team has never made the playoff, but the SEC champion always has.

It’s possible that LSU controls its own destiny. No matter what happens elsewhere, if they win the SEC, that means the Tigers have added a win over Georgia to a resume that already includes Alabama and Ole Miss.

But it’s not a sure thing.

With a few weeks left, there are some things that can happen that would elevate the Tigers’ chances. Here’s a rooting guide for this Saturday and the weeks to come.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens live stream, TV channel, start time, how to watch the NFL

The Pittsburgh Steelers will meet the Baltimore Ravens in NFL action on Sunday afternoon from M&T Bank Stadium.

The Pittsburgh Steelers will meet the Baltimore Ravens in NFL action on Sunday afternoon from M&T Bank Stadium.

The Steelers are coming off a 26-14 win over the Browns and will be looking to punch their ticket to the playoffs with a win today. Meanwhile, the Ravens have really struggled in the last part of the season and will come into today’s matchup looking to upset the Steelers’ postseason plans.

Tune in to the last NFL Sunday of the regular season, here is everything you need to know to stream the game today.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens

  • When: Sunday, January 9
  • Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
  • TV Channel: CBS
  • Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free)

How to watch the NFL Playoffs next week

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NFL Football Odds and Betting Lines

NFL odds courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook. Odds last updated Sunday at 10:30 a.m. ET.

Pittsburgh Steelers (-3.5) at Baltimore Ravens

O/U: 41.5

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Chargers HC Brandon Staley dispels idea of crazy playoff scenario

Chargers HC Brandon Staley isn’t playing for a tie in the Sunday night showdown.

Imagine a football game that consisted of nothing but quarterback kneels for 70 minutes of play.

Well, there is this one wild scenario that could see that come to fruition when the Chargers face the Raiders this Sunday night, as both teams could make the playoffs.

All it would take is the Jaguars beating the Colts for that to happen. If Jacksonville pulls off the upset, Los Angeles and Las Vegas would just need to tie to end up in the postseason.

The Raiders would hold head-to-head tiebreakers over the Steelers if they beat the Ravens.

Unrealistic for the 2-14 Jaguars to beat the playoff-prone Colts? Not so much, considering Indianapolis hasn’t won in Jacksonville since 2014.

Would the Chargers and Raiders come to an agreement, should it come down to this? Head coach Brandon Staley doesn’t seem to be in favor of it.

“I think we all respect the game and the integrity of the game far too much to be complicit in something like that,” Staley said on the Rich Eisen Show. “We’re going to do everything we can to win this game.”

In a battle between two divisional teams, the last thing the Chargers and their fans would want to see is their rival make the playoffs, even if it means they get to play it in, too.

Los Angeles and Las Vegas are set to kickoff at 5:20 pm PT.