Other Week 17 NFL Games

[Andy]

Saturday, Dec. 30 at 8 pm (NFL Network)

-----------------------------

NY Giants (7-8) at Washington (5-10)

 

Sunday, Dec. 31 at 1 pm

----------------------------

Carolina (7-8) at New Orleans (10-5)

Cleveland (4-11) at Houston (5-10)

Detroit (2-13) at Dallas (9-6)

Jacksonville (8-7) at Kansas City (8-7)

New England (11-4) at Tennessee (8-7)

Oakland (2-13) at NY Jets (9-6)

Pittsburgh (7-8) at Cincinnati (8-7)

Seattle (8-7) at Tampa Bay (4-11)

St. Louis (7-8) at Minnesota (6-9)

 

Sunday, Dec. 31 at 4 pm

----------------------------

Arizona (5-10) at San Diego (13-2)

San Francisco (6-9) at Denver (9-6)

Atlanta (7-8) at Philadelphia (9-6)

Buffalo (7-8) at Baltimore (12-3)

Miami (6-9) at Indianapolis (11-4)

Edited December 27, 2006 by Andy

[Andy]

I'm not absolutely positive of this, but I'm pretty sure the following gets the Panthers in as the 6 seed and a date with Dallas or New Orleans in the wildcard round:

 

Giants lose to Skins on Saturday (possible, not likely)

Packers lose to Bears' reserves on Sunday (very unlikely)

Panthers beat Saints on the road on Sunday (possible if Delhomme starts, highly unlikely if Weinke does)

 

Hey Bears, you mind helping us out?

[UMFan83]

I'm not absolutely positive of this, but I'm pretty sure the following gets the Panthers in as the 6 seed and a date with Dallas or New Orleans in the wildcard round:

 

Giants lose to Skins on Saturday (possible, not likely)

Packers lose to Bears' reserves on Sunday (very unlikely)

Panthers beat Saints on the road on Sunday (possible if Delhomme starts, highly unlikely if Weinke does)

 

Hey Bears, you mind helping us out?

 

So that you can beat us in the second round again? Geez, I dunno...

 

BTW, why is it very unlikely that the Bears with their starters at least playing a quarter or two can beat the Packers, who truely aren't very good?

[soccer10k]

Unfortunately, there doesn't appear to be a scenario where Dallas won't have something to play for next week which means they'll have to play their starters against the Lions.

 

Although, on the positive side, with Tampa Bay's victory over Cleveland yesterday, there are no teams with only 3 wins so the Raiders are assured of a top 2 pick in the 2007 draft.

[TruffleShuffle]

Saturday, Dec. 30 at 8 pm (NFL Network)

-----------------------------

NY Giants (7-8) at Washington (5-10)

 

Sunday, Dec. 31 at 1 pm

----------------------------

Atlanta (7-8) at Philadelphia

Buffalo (7-8) at Baltimore (12-3)

Carolina (7-8) at New Orleans (10-5)

Cleveland (4-11) at Houston (5-10)

Detroit (2-13) at Dallas

Jacksonville (8-7) at Kansas City (8-7)

Miami at Indianapolis (11-4)

New England (11-4) at Tennessee (8-7)

Oakland (2-13) at NY Jets

Pittsburgh (7-8) at Cincinnati (8-7)

Seattle (8-7) at Tampa Bay (4-11)

St. Louis (7-8) at Minnesota (6-9)

 

Sunday, Dec. 31 at 4 pm

----------------------------

Arizona (5-10) at San Diego (13-2)

San Francisco (6-9) at Denver (9-6)

 

Note: One game is moving to SNF on NBC. Dunno why it hasn't been announced yet.

 

I would guess they're waiting for the results of tonight's games so that they get a game between two teams vying for their playoff lives. The most likely candidates to get moved to Sunday night are probably Atlanta-Philly, Jacksonville-Kansas City (less likely due to less interest in these teams) or New England-Tennessee if Miami loses tonight. If Miami wins tonight, a lot of the drama comes out of the AFC because there's no way Oakland beats the Jets next week, and Denver should beat the Niners also.

 

So, my money's on Philly-Atlanta.

[CubColtPacer]

Saturday, Dec. 30 at 8 pm (NFL Network)

-----------------------------

NY Giants (7-8) at Washington (5-10)

 

Sunday, Dec. 31 at 1 pm

----------------------------

Atlanta (7-8) at Philadelphia

Buffalo (7-8) at Baltimore (12-3)

Carolina (7-8) at New Orleans (10-5)

Cleveland (4-11) at Houston (5-10)

Detroit (2-13) at Dallas

Jacksonville (8-7) at Kansas City (8-7)

Miami at Indianapolis (11-4)

New England (11-4) at Tennessee (8-7)

Oakland (2-13) at NY Jets

Pittsburgh (7-8) at Cincinnati (8-7)

Seattle (8-7) at Tampa Bay (4-11)

St. Louis (7-8) at Minnesota (6-9)

 

Sunday, Dec. 31 at 4 pm

----------------------------

Arizona (5-10) at San Diego (13-2)

San Francisco (6-9) at Denver (9-6)

 

Note: One game is moving to SNF on NBC. Dunno why it hasn't been announced yet.

 

I would guess they're waiting for the results of tonight's games so that they get a game between two teams vying for their playoff lives. The most likely candidates to get moved to Sunday night are probably Atlanta-Philly, Jacksonville-Kansas City (less likely due to less interest in these teams) or New England-Tennessee if Miami loses tonight. If Miami wins tonight, a lot of the drama comes out of the AFC because there's no way Oakland beats the Jets next week, and Denver should beat the Niners also.

 

So, my money's on Philly-Atlanta.

 

I think they have to announce the game today though. It was a mininum of 6 days in advance for week 17, and Tuesday would be too late for that-I would expect to hear it this afternoon.

[CubColtPacer]

These are some playoff scenarios that I got off of a poster on the indystar board with his permission. Remember, these are unofficial scenarios, so they may have a mistake or two, but this guy really did his homework for these. Also, remember that this is before Monday night's games, so it takes the possible variables of those games into consideration. With those disclaimers out of the way, here it is:

 

NFC:

 

Chicago has clinched the #1, a first-round bye, and HFA.

 

New Orleans has clinched at least the #3. They will clinch the #2 and a first-round bye w/ a win OR a Dallas loss tomorrow night, assuming the Cowboys beat Detroit next week at home. The only way the Saints lose the bye is if the Cowboys win BOTH of their last two games, and NO loses next week. Saints fans, root for a Dallas loss tomorrow, but if they win, NO is still good to go w/ a win on their own next week.

 

Seattle has clinched the #4. They are the #4 no matter what.

 

Dallas has clinched at least the #5. They can only lose the division and wind up #5 (assuming they beat Detroit next week again) if they lose to Philly tomorrow night AND Philly wins next week. So even if they lose tomorrow, they still win the division and get the #3 IF Philly loses next week. Cowboys clinch the #3 w/ a win tomorrow over Philly. They still have a shot at the #2 and a first-round bye, but they need to win BOTH of their last two games AND a New Orleans loss.

 

The following teams have NOT clinched a playoff berth yet:

 

Philly controls their own destiny for both a playoff berth and the division. They can clinch the #3 if they win BOTH of their last two games (assuming again Dallas beats Detroit). Even if they lose a game, all they have to do is win one of their last two and they will get the #5 at 9-7. The only trouble the Eagles can get into is if they lose both games and finish 8-8. Even so, they more than likely get in as they would need either a NY Giants loss OR a Carolina win, and they get the #6. If both happen, they get the #5 even at 8-8. The ONLY way Philly misses the playoffs is if they lose BOTH of their last two games, AND the NYG win next week AND Carolina loses next week.

 

NY Giants are still in the best seat for the last spot. Even if the Giants lose, they can still get the #6 at 7-9 if ALL of the following happen: a Green Bay loss, AND a St. Louis loss, AND a Carolina loss, AND an Atlanta loss. Otherwise (and most likely), the Giants need to win next week AND "possibly" a Green Bay loss OR Philly to lose both of their games. The tiebreaker w/ Green Bay if they are 8-8 would come down to strength of victory and right now the NY Giants lead this category, but Green Bay COULD overtake them next week, maybe or maybe not. NY Giants would own the tiebreak over Philly. If they can overtake both teams, NY Giants can still finish as the #5.

 

Green Bay is in the next best shape but still needs some help. They can ONLY get the #6 seed, as they cannot catch Philly like the Giants possibly still can. Obviously, Packers have to win their game next week. IF NY Giants win Saturday night, they need a win next week AND must overtake the NY Giants in the strength of victory tiebreaker (as mentioned above). IF NY Giants lose Saturday, they need a win AND a St. Louis loss.

 

St. Louis needs a win and some help also. They can only get the #6 as they also cannot catch Philly. Obviously, the Rams have to win to have a chance. They also MUST get a NY Giants loss AND a Carolina loss AND an Atlanta loss. They DON'T need Packers to lose.

 

Carolina also needs help, but not as much as St. Louis. They can only get the #6 seed. Obviously, the Panthers have to win their game. They need a win AND a NY Giants loss AND a Green Bay loss to get in.

 

Atlanta needs even more help. Obviously, they have to win to have a chance. Atlanta DOES NOT need help from St. Louis, that's the good news. The bad is that they need a win AND a Carolina loss AND a Green Bay loss AND a NY Giants loss to get in. Additionally, if Atlanta makes it in based on that formula, they can still get the #5 if Philly loses both of their last two. Philly losses don't keep them from being eliminated though if any of those other teams win.

 

AFC:

 

San Diego has clinched at least the #2 and a first-round bye. They need a win OR a Baltimore loss to clinch the #1 and HFA. The only way they don't get HFA is if they lose (unlikely) and Baltimore wins.

 

Baltimore has clinched at least the #3. They still have a shot at the #1 and HFA w/ a win AND a SD loss. More likely though, they control their own destiny for the #2 and a first-round bye. They get it w/ a win OR a Colts loss. The only way the Ravens lose the bye is if they lose and we win next week.

 

Colts have clinched at least the #4 seed. We wind up #4 if we lose AND New England wins next week. So even if we lose, if NE also loses then we get the #3. We clinch the #3 w/ a win, but still have a shot at the bye. We get the #2 and a first-round bye w/ a win AND a Baltimore loss.

 

New England has clinched at least the #4. The only way they can move up is to the #3 w/ a win AND a Colt's loss.

 

The following teams have NOT clinched a playoff berth yet:

 

Denver controls its own destiny. If they win, they are in (highly likely they will). Even if they lose, they still have a good shot at 9-7 but need either KC to lose to Jax OR one NYJ loss (tomorrow night to Miami is realistically only chance) and they get the #6. Would even still get the #5 if BOTH of those things happen. The only way the Broncos miss the playoffs is if they lose AND KC beats Jax and the NY Jets win both of their last two.

 

NY Jets also control their own destiny. If they win BOTH of their last two, they are in w/ at least the #6 seed (could also still get the #5 if Denver loses next week). If they lose both games, they are out. If they split and go 9-7 (say a loss tomorrow night to Miami and then a win over lowly OAK next week) then they have a chance but need help. They would need 2 of the following 3 things to happen to make it (if all 3 happened they would get the #5): a Cincy loss, {a Denver loss AND a KC win}, {a Tennessee win OR Jax loss}. So if Denver wins (as is likely) the Jets would need a Cincy loss and either a Jax loss or a Tenn win to get in at 9-7.

 

Cincinnati is in the best shape of the teams that DON'T control their own destiny. Obviously, they need a win. As for help, they need EITHER for the NY Jets to lose a game (only real chance tomorrow night) OR {Denver loss AND KC win}. So if Denver wins as they should or KC loses, basically Cincy's hopes come down to a loss tomorrow night by the Jets.

 

Tennessee does not need help from Jax at least. Obviously, they have to win. They also need 2 of the following 3 things to happen (if all 3 happen they get the #5): a Cincy loss, NY Jets lose BOTH of their games, {a Denver loss AND a KC win}. Really a longshot, because their only hope rests on either Denver losing at home to San Fran or the Jets losing at home to the Raiders. Not likely, but there's still hope at least.

 

Jacksonville can only get the #6 seed. They obviously must beat KC next week, plus ALL of the following. They need a win AND a Tennessee loss, AND Cincy loss, AND one NY Jets loss (only real chance is tomorrow night). If the Jets win tomorrow night, they need a lot of help including an Oakland win. Yuck.

 

Kansas City must obviously beat Jax next week to have a chance. They also need 3 of the following 4 things to happen: a Denver loss, a Tennesee loss, a Cincy loss, NYJ lose BOTH of their last two games. So if Denver wins as expected and the Jets can beat Oakland as expected, KC can't do anything about their fate either. But, at least they are alive for now.

 

So enjoy reading about all the crazy scenarios your around .500 team needs to make the playoffs :D.

[Flames24Rulz]

These are some playoff scenarios that I got off of a poster on the indystar board with his permission. Remember, these are unofficial scenarios, so they may have a mistake or two, but this guy really did his homework for these. Also, remember that this is before Monday night's games, so it takes the possible variables of those games into consideration. With those disclaimers out of the way, here it is:

 

NFC:

 

Green Bay is in the next best shape but still needs some help. They can ONLY get the #6 seed, as they cannot catch Philly like the Giants possibly still can. Obviously, Packers have to win their game next week. IF NY Giants win Saturday night, they need a win next week AND must overtake the NY Giants in the strength of victory tiebreaker (as mentioned above). IF NY Giants lose Saturday, they need a win AND a St. Louis loss.

 

We don't necessarily need St. Louis to lose. We need any one of these 3 to happen: Rams loss, Panthers win, Falcons win. If Atlanta and Carolina both win, and we win as well, then all of those teams would be 8-8. The first tiebreaker goes to conference record in that scenario and the Packers would have a better conference record than both the Falcons and Panthers.

[Andy]

I'm not absolutely positive of this, but I'm pretty sure the following gets the Panthers in as the 6 seed and a date with Dallas or New Orleans in the wildcard round:

 

Giants lose to Skins on Saturday (possible, not likely)

Packers lose to Bears' reserves on Sunday (very unlikely)

Panthers beat Saints on the road on Sunday (possible if Delhomme starts, highly unlikely if Weinke does)

 

Hey Bears, you mind helping us out?

 

So that you can beat us in the second round again? Geez, I dunno...

 

BTW, why is it very unlikely that the Bears with their starters at least playing a quarter or two can beat the Packers, who truely aren't very good?

Well, it's not just that the Bears will be playing their reserves, it also has a lot to do with that they have nothing to play for, while Green Bay has everything to play for.

[Banedon]

Let the insane overreactions begin...

 

The replacement host on Mike and Mike this morning thinks that Jeff Garcia should get MVP consideration.

[Andy]

Packers/Bears moved to SNF. My mind is boggled. Surely they could've found two teams vying for a playoff spot?

[Banedon]

Packers/Bears moved to SNF. My mind is boggled. Surely they could've found two teams vying for a playoff spot?

 

The Packers are vying for a playoff spot. Potentially Favre's last game, and the Bears get good ratings.

[Andy]

Packers/Bears moved to SNF. My mind is boggled. Surely they could've found two teams vying for a playoff spot?

 

The Packers are vying for a playoff spot.

Jacksonville/KC features two teams are going for a playoff spot. And there are many other games where one team is going for a playoff spot, and their opponent might actually leave the starters in well into the 2nd half. :wink:

[TruffleShuffle]

Let the insane overreactions begin...

 

The replacement host on Mike and Mike this morning thinks that Jeff Garcia should get MVP consideration.

 

WTF?!?!?!?

[Banedon]

Let the insane overreactions begin...

 

The replacement host on Mike and Mike this morning thinks that Jeff Garcia should get MVP consideration.

 

WTF?!?!?!?

 

Dan Shanoff, formerly of ESPN Page 2's Daily Quickie, mentions him as NFC MVP, which is just as ludicrous.

Edited December 26, 2006 by Banedon

[Jon]

Let the insane overreactions begin...

 

The replacement host on Mike and Mike this morning thinks that Jeff Garcia should get MVP consideration.

 

WTF?!?!?!?

 

Dan Shanoff, formerly of ESPN Page 2's Daily Quickie, mentions him as NFC MVP, which is just as ludicrous.

How bad do you have to be in order to be fired from ESPN's Page 2?

[goonys evil twin]

Let the insane overreactions begin...

 

The replacement host on Mike and Mike this morning thinks that Jeff Garcia should get MVP consideration.

 

WTF?!?!?!?

 

Dan Shanoff, formerly of ESPN Page 2's Daily Quickie, mentions him as NFC MVP, which is just as ludicrous.

How bad do you have to be in order to be fired from ESPN's Page 2?

 

Shanoff was the king of the reactionary bandwagon hopping hype worshippers. And for some reason, he celebrated that fact whenever possible.

[Banedon]

Let the insane overreactions begin...

 

The replacement host on Mike and Mike this morning thinks that Jeff Garcia should get MVP consideration.

 

WTF?!?!?!?

 

Dan Shanoff, formerly of ESPN Page 2's Daily Quickie, mentions him as NFC MVP, which is just as ludicrous.

How bad do you have to be in order to be fired from ESPN's Page 2?

 

Shanoff was the king of the reactionary bandwagon hopping hype worshippers. And for some reason, he celebrated that fact whenever possible.

 

Oh and he adds this gem:

 

Eric Mangini locks in for NFL Coach of the Year.

 

Hello Sean Payton??

[Flames24Rulz]

Let the insane overreactions begin...

 

The replacement host on Mike and Mike this morning thinks that Jeff Garcia should get MVP consideration.

 

WTF?!?!?!?

 

Dan Shanoff, formerly of ESPN Page 2's Daily Quickie, mentions him as NFC MVP, which is just as ludicrous.

How bad do you have to be in order to be fired from ESPN's Page 2?

 

Shanoff was the king of the reactionary bandwagon hopping hype worshippers. And for some reason, he celebrated that fact whenever possible.

 

Oh and he adds this gem:

 

Eric Mangini locks in for NFL Coach of the Year.

 

Hello Sean Payton??

 

In the ESPN universe, only teams from the east coast matter.

[Soriano12]

Let the insane overreactions begin...

 

The replacement host on Mike and Mike this morning thinks that Jeff Garcia should get MVP consideration.

 

WTF?!?!?!?

 

Dan Shanoff, formerly of ESPN Page 2's Daily Quickie, mentions him as NFC MVP, which is just as ludicrous.

How bad do you have to be in order to be fired from ESPN's Page 2?

 

Espn Idiots.

 

LT is the MVP. Just give him the trophy right now.

 

Brees is the MVP of the NFC. It is that simple, (this year at least).

[soccer10k]

Oh and he adds this gem:

 

Eric Mangini locks in for NFL Coach of the Year.

 

Hello Sean Payton??

 

That's actually a legitimate argument though. I would vote Payton but Mangini has to be second. Although I would consider voting for Art Shell over both of them seeing as he has done an absolutely spectacular job this year.

[TruffleShuffle]

people really are overthinking this MVP thing. Devin Hester? Tony Romo? Jeff Garcia?

 

No, there's a clear choice at MVP, it's Tomlinson. He plays for the best team in the better conference, and has had one of the best years that a running back has ever had. How is this difficult?

[Mark_R]

If the Titans make the playoffs, Jeff Fisher has to get some serious consideration. Is that team really that talented!? I don't think so.

[TruffleShuffle]

If the Titans make the playoffs, Jeff Fisher has to get some serious consideration. Is that team really that talented!? I don't think so.

 

Good point, except I think Jeff Fisher deserves consideration even if the Titans don't make the playoffs.

 

How about worst coaching job? My ballot goes:

 

1. Art Shell

2. Tom Coughlin

3. Dennis "the Nutty Professor" Green

4. John Fox

[dew1679666265]

Packers/Bears moved to SNF. My mind is boggled. Surely they could've found two teams vying for a playoff spot?

 

The Packers are vying for a playoff spot.

Jacksonville/KC features two teams are going for a playoff spot. And there are many other games where one team is going for a playoff spot, and their opponent might actually leave the starters in well into the 2nd half. :wink:

 

Another good one (and maybe I'm just a homer) seems to be New England/Tennessee. Two teams fighting for playoff position (NE) and the miraculous hope that they can make it (TN). Seems like a great story to me, plus like ndistops said, both teams will leave in their starters.

Also, it's an absolute crime that no one in the media has even mentioned Jeff Fisher for Coach of the Year. If the Titans miss the playoffs I don't think he should get it, but if we do there's no team more unlikely or generally less talented.