NFL Week 16 Recap, and playoff scenarios

Well this past weekend of NFL games was certainly dramatic. The Jets lost to the Seattle Seahawks in dramatic fashion. The Eagles lost to the Redskins in a last second play, and the Chargers put themselves in Playoff contention. The Bears held on to keep their playoff hopes alive. Now to the game that met the most to me personally and thats the Giants-Panthers game on Sunday Night. Carolina looked great the first half and Deangelo Williams looked great. It was the second half where they let the game get away. With about a minute left they had a huge run but it was negated by Steve Smith’s holding call. To me, thats what cost them the game because and what gave the Giant momentum. I’ll give the Giants credit, they came back after two tough weeks and a lot off field drama. However, they will not be going back to Super Bowl. I believe It will be Tennesee against one of the NFC South Teams. The Panthers, Falcons or if they make it, the Buccanneers. The NFC South is the toughest division in football, not the East. This last week should be great and here are the scenarios going in:

NFC

CLINCHED: New York Giants, NFC East, first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs; Arizona, NFC West; Carolina, playoff berth; Atlanta, playoff berth.

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

Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons clinch the NFC South title and a first-round bye with an Atlanta win and a Carolina loss.

Carolina Panthers
The Panthers clinch the NFC South title and a first-round bye with a Carolina win or tie OR Atlanta loss or tie.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers clinch a wild-card spot with a Tampa Bay win and Dallas loss or tie OR Tampa Bay tie and Dallas loss and Minnesota loss or tie OR Tampa Bay tie and Dallas loss and Chicago loss or tie OR Tampa Bay tie and Dallas tie and Minnesota tie and Chicago win or tie OR Tampa Bay tie and Dallas tie and Chicago tie and Minnesota win or tie.

Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings clinch the NFC North title with a Minnesota win OR Minnesota tie and Chicago loss or tie OR Chicago loss. The Vikings clinch a wild-card spot with a Minnesota tie and Dallas loss and Tampa Bay loss.

Chicago Bears
The Bears clinch the NFC North with a Chicago win and Minnesota loss or tie OR Chicago tie and Minnesota loss. The Bears clinch a wild-card spot with a Chicago win and Dallas loss or tie and Tampa Bay loss or tie OR Chicago tie and Dallas loss and Tampa Bay loss.

Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys clinch a wild-card spot with a Dallas win OR Dallas tie and Chicago loss or tie and Tampa Bay loss OR Dallas tie and Minnesota loss or tie and Tampa Bay loss OR Dallas tie and Chicago loss and Tampa Bay tie OR Dallas tie and Minnesota loss and Tampa Bay tie.

Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles clinch a wild-card spot with a Philadelphia win and Tampa Bay loss and Minnesota loss OR Philadelphia win and Tampa Bay loss and Chicago loss.

AFC

CLINCHED: Tennessee, AFC South, first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout playoffs; Pittsburgh, AFC North and first-round bye; Indianapolis, wild card and No. 5 seeding

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

Denver Broncos
The Broncos clinch the AFC West title with a win or tie against San Diego.

San Diego Chargers
The Chargers clinch the AFC West title with a win over Denver.

Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens clinch a wild-card spot with a Baltimore win OR Baltimore tie and Miami loss or tie OR Baltimore tie and New England loss or tie OR New England loss.

Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins clinch the AFC East title with a Miami win OR Miami tie and New England loss or tie. The Dolphins clinch a wild-card spot with a Miami tie and Baltimore loss.

New England Patriots
The Patriots clinch the AFC East title with a New England win and Miami loss or tie OR New England tie and Miami loss. The Patriots clinch a wild-card spot with a New England win and Baltimore loss or tie OR New England tie and Baltimore loss.

New York Jets
The Jets clinch the AFC East title with a Jets win and New England loss. The Jets clinch a wild-card spot with a Jets win and Baltimore loss.

Playoff dates
Jan. 3, 2009: AFC, NFC wild-card games (NBC)
Jan. 4, 2009: AFC wild-card game (CBS); NFC wild-card game (FOX)
Jan. 10, 2009: AFC divisional playoff game (CBS); NFC divisional playoff game (FOX)
Jan. 11, 2009: AFC divisional playoff game (CBS); NFC divisional playoff game (FOX)
Jan. 18, 2009: AFC Championship Game (CBS); NFC Championship Game (FOX)
Feb. 1: Super Bowl XLIII at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. (NBC)

So there you have it, a lot to look foward to this week. I really hope the Panthers can win and keep their bye week. Two devestating losses in a row could really hurt them going into the playoffs. Week 17 should be great to watch. A lot of drama and exciting action this week. By the way LIONS 0-16 and history will be made. This will be the only time I ever cheer for the Packers. Have a good Christmas everyone and if I don’t post again, Happy New Years. God Bless and Be safe