{"id":3813,"date":"2015-12-23T08:00:20","date_gmt":"2015-12-23T13:00:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/?p=3813"},"modified":"2015-12-22T23:55:03","modified_gmt":"2015-12-23T04:55:03","slug":"nfl-week-16-playoff-picture-and-scenarios","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2015\/12\/23\/nfl-week-16-playoff-picture-and-scenarios\/","title":{"rendered":"NFL Week 16 Playoff Picture and Scenarios"},"content":{"rendered":"

While NFL Week 15 did not do much to the playoff picture other than end the misery for a handful of teams by officially eliminating them from post-season play, it did bring genuine contenders one step closer to clinching scenarios in Week 16. Eighteen teams still have at least a mathematical chance at a playoff spot with two weeks to go; that is surely something that Roger Goodell’s parity-driven Park Avenue league office that strives for participation banners<\/a> is surely proud of.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

For all intents and purposes there are four remaining playoff races: (a) between Cincinnati and Denver for a bye; (b) between Kansas City an Pittsburgh for the number five seed (and the right to play the sorry-ass AFC South champion); (c) between Green Bay and Minnesota for the NFC North and number three seed; and (d) between Washington and Philadelphia for the NFC East title and the right to lose at home to Seattle.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Here is a look at all of the remaining playoff clinching and elimination scenarios, no matter how minute. For the sake of clarity and the attempt to avoid mind-numbing confusion, I have not forgotten but rather have avoided scenarios involving ties.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

AFC – 3 Teams Seeking A First Round Bye<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. New England Patriots<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/span>
\n12-2 [9-1 conference]
\nClinched AFC East and a first-round bye
\nat Jets, at Dolphins<\/em>
\n94% chance for #1 seed
\n– Can clinch #1 seed with a win<\/p>\n

2. Cincinnati Bengals<\/strong><\/span>
\n11-3 [8-2 conference, 4-1 division]
\nClinched a playoff spot
\nat Broncos, vs Ravens<\/em>
\n3% chance for #1 seed; 49% for a bye; 97% for #3 or better
\n– Can clinch AFC North and #2 seed with a win over Broncos
\n– Can clinch AFC North and #3 seed with a Steelers loss
\n– Can clinch playoff spot and #5 seed with a Chiefs loss
\n– Eliminated from #1 seed with loss to Broncos
\n– Eliminated from #1 seed with win by Patriots<\/p>\n

3. Denver Broncos<\/strong><\/span>
\n10-4 [6-4 conference, 3-2 division]
\nCould be as high as #1 seed or could miss playoffs entirely
\nvs Bengals, at Chargers<\/em>
\n4% chance for #1 seed; 51% for a bye; 28% for a wild card; 7% to miss playoffs
\n– Can clinch AFC West and #3 seed with win over Bengals, plus Chiefs lose to Browns
\n– Can clinch at least #5 seed with win over Bengals, plus both Steelers and Jets lose
\n– Can clinch at least #6 seed with win over Bengals, plus either Steelers or Jets lose
\n– Can be #1 seed by winning both remaining games, and Patriots lose both games
\n– Can be #2 seed by winning both remaining games
\n– Eliminated from AFC West title if KC wins twice and Bronocos lose at least once
\n– Eliminated from playoffs by losing at least once, and Steelers, Chiefs and Jets all win both games<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

AFC South – #4 Seed<\/strong><\/p>\n

4. Houston Texans<\/strong><\/span>
\n7-7 [3-1 division, 5-5 conference]
\nat Titans, vs Jaguars<\/em>
\n93% chance of winning AFCS and #4 seed; 7% chance to miss playoffs
\n– Can clinch AFC South and #4 seed with win, plus Colts loss<\/p>\n

10. Indianapolis Colts<\/strong><\/span>
\n6-8 [3-2 division, 4-6 conference]
\nvs Texans, at Dolphins, vs Titans<\/em>
\n7% chance of winning AFCS and #4 seed; 93% chance to miss playoffs
\n– Eliminated from playoffs with loss to Dolphins, plus Texans win<\/p>\n

11. Jacksonville Jaguars<\/strong><\/span>
\n5-9 [2-3 division, 5-6 conference]
\nJaguars are still in contention for both a playoff spot, or #1 draft pick
\nat Saints, at Texans<\/em>
\n1% chance of winning AFCS and #4 seed; 99% chance to miss playoffs
\n– Eliminated from playoffs with either a loss, or a Texans win<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

AFC – Wild Cards<\/strong><\/p>\n

5. Kansas City Chiefs<\/strong><\/span>
\n9-5 [8-2 conference, 4-1 division]
\nCurrently hold tiebreaker over Steelers and Jets based on conference record
\nvs Browns, vs Raiders<\/em>
\nMinute chance for #2 seed; 36% chance to win AFCW & #3 seed; 42% for #5, 17% for #6, 5% for no playoffs
\n– Clinch #5 seed with win, plus Steelers and Jets lose
\n– Clinch playoff spot with win, plus either Steelers or Jets lose
\n– Eliminated from #2 seed with loss, or Bengals beat Broncos, or Steelers lose
\n– Eliminated from #3 seed with loss, plus Bengals beat Broncos<\/p>\n

6. Pittsburgh Steelers<\/strong><\/span>
\n9-5 [6-4 conference, 2-2 division]
\nHold tiebreaker over Jets based on common games
\nat Ravens, at Browns<\/em>
\nMinute chance for #2 seed; 3% chance to win AFCN & #3 seed; 41% for #5, 46% for #6, 10% for no playoffs
\n– Chance of missing playoffs dropped from 67% two weeks ago to 30% last week to 10% this week
\n– Clinch playoff spot with win, plus Jets loss to Patriots
\n– Eliminated from AFCN title and #3 seed with either a loss, or a Bengals win
\n– Eliminated from #5 seed with a loss, plus Chiefs win, plus Broncos win<\/p>\n

7. New York Jets<\/strong><\/span>
\n9-5 [6-4 conference, 2-2 division]
\nNeed to finish with better record than either the Chiefs or Steelers
\nvs Patriots, at Bills<\/em>
\n5% chance for #5 seed, 17% for #6 seed, 78% for no playoffs
\n– Cannot clinch a playoff spot this week
\n– Eliminated from #5 seed with a loss, plus a win by the Steelers
\n– Eliminated from #5 seed with a loss, plus wins by both the Broncos and Chiefs
\n– Eliminated from playoffs with a loss, plus wins by the Broncos and the Chiefs and the Steelers<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

AFC Teams Looking Ahead To The Draft<\/strong><\/p>\n

8. 6-8 Oakland Raiders<\/span> – vs Chargers, at Chiefs<\/em>
\n9. 6-8 Buffalo Bills<\/span> – vs Cowboys, vs Jets<\/em>
\n12. 5-9 Miami Dolphins<\/span> – vs Colts, vs Patriots<\/em>
\n13. 4-10 Baltimore Ravens<\/span> – vs Steelers, at Bengals<\/em>
\n14. 4-10 San Diego Chargers<\/span> – at Raiders, at Broncos<\/em>
\n15. 3-11 Cleveland Browns<\/span> – at Chiefs, vs Steelers<\/em>
\n16. 3-11 Tennessee Titans<\/span> – vs Texans, at Colts<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

NFC Contenders<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. Carolina Panthers<\/strong><\/span>
\n14-0 [10-0 conference]
\nClinched NFC South division title and first round bye
\nat Falcons, vs Bucs<\/em>
\n99% chance for #1 becoming the #1 seed
\n– Clinch #1 seed with either a win, or a loss by Cardinals<\/p>\n

2. Arizona Cardinals<\/strong><\/span>
\n12-2 [9-1 conference, 4-1 division]
\nClinched NFC West and at least a #3 seed
\nvs Packers, vs Seahawks<\/em>
\n94% chance for a first round bye
\n– Clinch #2 seed with a win over Packers
\n– Eliminated from #1 seed with either a loss, or a win by Seahawks<\/p>\n

3. Green Bay Packers<\/strong><\/span>
\n10-4 [7-3 conference, 3-2 division]
\nClinched a playoff spot
\nat Cardinals, vs Vikings<\/em>
\n6% chance for #2 seed; 66% chance to win division; 29% to be #5 seed and 5% to be #6
\n– Clinch NFC North and #3 seed with a win plus a Vikings loss to Giants
\n– Clinch at least #5 seed with either a win, or a Seahawks loss
\n– Eliminated from first round bye with a loss to Cardinals<\/p>\n

5. Seattle Seahawks<\/strong><\/span>
\n9-5 [6-4 conference, 2-2 division]
\nClinched playoff spot; can only be a wild card
\nvs Rams, at Cardinals<\/em>
\n62% chance of being the #5 seed, 38% chance of being the #6 seed
\n– Clinch #5 seed with a win, plus Vikings lose to Giants, plus Packers beat Cardinals<\/p>\n

6. Minnesota Vikings<\/strong><\/span>
\n9-5 [6-4 conference, 4-1 division]
\nvs Giants, at Packers<\/em>
\nCannot get a bye; 34% chance for #3 seed; 10% for #5; 56% for #6; minute chance to miss playoffs
\n– Clinch playoff spot with either a win, or a Falcons loss, or a Seahawks win
\n– Eliminated from division title and #3 seed with both a loss, and a Packers win
\n– Eliminated from #5 seed with a loss, plus a Packers win, plus a Seahawks win<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

NFC Pretenders (NFC East)<\/strong><\/p>\n

4. Washington Redskins<\/strong><\/span>
\n7-7 [2-2 division, 6-4 conference]
\nHead-to-head: 1-0 vs Eagles, 1-1 vs Giants
\nat Eagles, at Cowboys<\/em>
\n60% chance of winning NFC East and #4 seed; 40% chance to miss playoffs
\n– Clinch division and #4 seed with a win over the Eagles<\/p>\n

10. Philadelphia Eagles<\/strong><\/span>
\n6-8 [2-2 division, 3-7 conference]
\nHead-to-head: 0-1 vs Skins, 1-0 vs Giants
\nvs Redskins, at Giants<\/em>
\n37% chance of winning NFC East and #4 seed; 63% chance to miss playoffs
\n– Eliminated from playoffs with a loss to Washington
\n– To win division and make playoffs Eagles must win both remaining games, plus Washington must lose to Dallas<\/p>\n

11. New York Giants<\/strong><\/span>
\n6-8 [2-3 division, 4-6 conference]
\nHead-to-head: 1-1 vs Skins, 0-1 vs Eagles
\nat Vikings, vs Eagles<\/em>
\n4% chance of winning NFC East and #4 seed; 96% chance to miss playoffs
\n– Eliminated from playoffs with either a loss, or if Washington beats Philly
\n– To win division and make playoffs Giants must win both remaining games, plus Washington must lose twice<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

NFC Teams Looking Ahead To The Draft<\/strong><\/p>\n

7. Atlanta Falcons<\/strong><\/span>
\n7-7 [4-6 conference, 0-4 division]
\nOnly team from this group technically alive, but it is time to pull the plug
\nvs Panthers, vs Saints<\/em>
\n99.9% chance of missing the playoffs
\n– Eliminated with either a loss, or a Seahawks win, or a Vikings win<\/p>\n

8. 6-8 St. Louis Rams<\/span> – at Seahawks, at Niners<\/em>
\n9. 6-8 Tampa Bay Bucs<\/span> – vs Bears, at Panthers<\/em>
\n12. 5-9 Detroit Lions<\/span> – vs Niners, at Bears<\/em>
\n13. 5-9 New Orleans Saints<\/span> – vs Jaguars, at Falcons<\/em>
\n14. 5-9 Chicago Bears<\/span> – at Bucs, vs Lions<\/em>
\n15. 4-10 San Francisco 49ers<\/span> – at Lions, vs Rams<\/em>
\n16. 4-10 Dallas Cowboys<\/span> – at Bills, vs Redskins<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

While NFL Week 15 did not do much to the playoff picture other than end the misery for a handful of teams by officially eliminating them from post-season play, it did bring genuine contenders one step closer to clinching scenarios in Week 16. Eighteen teams still have at least a mathematical chance at a playoff spot with two weeks to go; that is surely something that Roger Goodell’s parity-driven Park Avenue league office that strives for participation banners is surely proud of.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":1685,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10,1],"tags":[185,253,254,321,322,323,655,155,324,277,478,278,141,276,656,44,303,47,470,176,706,705,469,379,201,71,374,169],"class_list":["post-3813","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-patriots-news","category-uncategorized","tag-2015-nfl-season","tag-afc","tag-afc-east","tag-afc-north","tag-afc-south","tag-afc-west","tag-arizona-cardinals","tag-carolina-panthers","tag-cincinnati-bengals","tag-denver-broncos","tag-green-bay-packers","tag-houston-texans","tag-indianapolis-colts","tag-kansas-city-chiefs","tag-minnesota-vikings","tag-new-england-patriots","tag-new-york-giants","tag-new-york-jets","tag-nfc","tag-nfc-east","tag-nfc-north","tag-nfc-south","tag-nfc-west","tag-philadelphia-eagles","tag-pittsburgh-steelers","tag-roger-goodell","tag-seattle-seahawks","tag-washington-redskins"],"yoast_head":"\nNFL Week 16 Playoff Picture and Scenarios<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Realistically there are four remaining playoff races: Broncos and Bengals for a bye; Chiefs and Steelers for #5 seed and chance to play Houston; NFC East;\u00a0\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2015\/12\/23\/nfl-week-16-playoff-picture-and-scenarios\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"NFL Week 16 Playoff Picture and Scenarios | PatsFans.com\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Realistically there are four remaining playoff races: Broncos and Bengals for a bye; Chiefs and Steelers for #5 seed and chance to play Houston; NFC East;\u00a0\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2015\/12\/23\/nfl-week-16-playoff-picture-and-scenarios\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"PatsFans.com\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pfans\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2015-12-23T13:00:20+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Lombardi-trophies.jpg?fit=1137%2C640&ssl=1\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1137\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"640\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"John Morgan\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@patsfans\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@patsfans\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"NewsArticle\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/2015\\\/12\\\/23\\\/nfl-week-16-playoff-picture-and-scenarios\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/2015\\\/12\\\/23\\\/nfl-week-16-playoff-picture-and-scenarios\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"John Morgan\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/af5cc5dc09232fe6e9a6be05de0ba3b8\"},\"headline\":\"NFL Week 16 Playoff Picture and Scenarios\",\"datePublished\":\"2015-12-23T13:00:20+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/2015\\\/12\\\/23\\\/nfl-week-16-playoff-picture-and-scenarios\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1445,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/2015\\\/12\\\/23\\\/nfl-week-16-playoff-picture-and-scenarios\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2015\\\/10\\\/Lombardi-trophies.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"2015 NFL Season\",\"AFC\",\"AFC East\",\"AFC North\",\"AFC South\",\"AFC West\",\"Arizona Cardinals\",\"Carolina Panthers\",\"Cincinnati Bengals\",\"Denver Broncos\",\"Green Bay Packers\",\"Houston Texans\",\"Indianapolis Colts\",\"Kansas City Chiefs\",\"Minnesota Vikings\",\"New England Patriots\",\"New York Giants\",\"New York Jets\",\"NFC\",\"NFC East\",\"NFC North\",\"NFC South\",\"NFC West\",\"Philadelphia Eagles\",\"Pittsburgh Steelers\",\"Roger Goodell\",\"Seattle Seahawks\",\"Washington Redskins\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Patriots News\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/2015\\\/12\\\/23\\\/nfl-week-16-playoff-picture-and-scenarios\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/2015\\\/12\\\/23\\\/nfl-week-16-playoff-picture-and-scenarios\\\/\",\"name\":\"NFL Week 16 Playoff Picture and Scenarios\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/2015\\\/12\\\/23\\\/nfl-week-16-playoff-picture-and-scenarios\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/2015\\\/12\\\/23\\\/nfl-week-16-playoff-picture-and-scenarios\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2015\\\/10\\\/Lombardi-trophies.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2015-12-23T13:00:20+00:00\",\"description\":\"Realistically there are four remaining playoff races: Broncos and Bengals for a bye; Chiefs and Steelers for #5 seed and chance to play Houston; NFC East;\u00a0\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/2015\\\/12\\\/23\\\/nfl-week-16-playoff-picture-and-scenarios\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/2015\\\/12\\\/23\\\/nfl-week-16-playoff-picture-and-scenarios\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/2015\\\/12\\\/23\\\/nfl-week-16-playoff-picture-and-scenarios\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2015\\\/10\\\/Lombardi-trophies.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2015\\\/10\\\/Lombardi-trophies.jpg\",\"width\":1137,\"height\":640},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/2015\\\/12\\\/23\\\/nfl-week-16-playoff-picture-and-scenarios\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Patriots News\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/category\\\/patriots-news\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"NFL Week 16 Playoff Picture and Scenarios\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/\",\"name\":\"PatsFans.com\",\"description\":\"Patriots Blog with News and Analysis\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"PatsFans.com\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/01\\\/PF_Social_Logo.webp\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2023\\\/01\\\/PF_Social_Logo.webp\",\"width\":300,\"height\":300,\"caption\":\"PatsFans.com\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/pfans\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/patsfans\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/patsfans\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.pinterest.com\\\/patsfans\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/patsfans\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.tiktok.com\\\/@patsfans.official\"],\"foundingDate\":\"2000-06-17\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/af5cc5dc09232fe6e9a6be05de0ba3b8\",\"name\":\"John Morgan\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/cdff8dd2a6c8f622ebe439891d6d193d2cff836260393578757a983b7e4903bf?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/cdff8dd2a6c8f622ebe439891d6d193d2cff836260393578757a983b7e4903bf?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/cdff8dd2a6c8f622ebe439891d6d193d2cff836260393578757a983b7e4903bf?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"John Morgan\"},\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.patsfans.com\\\/patriots\\\/blog\\\/author\\\/john-morgan\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"NFL Week 16 Playoff Picture and Scenarios","description":"Realistically there are four remaining playoff races: Broncos and Bengals for a bye; Chiefs and Steelers for #5 seed and chance to play Houston; NFC East;\u00a0","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2015\/12\/23\/nfl-week-16-playoff-picture-and-scenarios\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"NFL Week 16 Playoff Picture and Scenarios | PatsFans.com","og_description":"Realistically there are four remaining playoff races: Broncos and Bengals for a bye; Chiefs and Steelers for #5 seed and chance to play Houston; NFC East;\u00a0","og_url":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2015\/12\/23\/nfl-week-16-playoff-picture-and-scenarios\/","og_site_name":"PatsFans.com","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pfans","article_published_time":"2015-12-23T13:00:20+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1137,"height":640,"url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Lombardi-trophies.jpg?fit=1137%2C640&ssl=1","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"John Morgan","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@patsfans","twitter_site":"@patsfans","schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2015\/12\/23\/nfl-week-16-playoff-picture-and-scenarios\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2015\/12\/23\/nfl-week-16-playoff-picture-and-scenarios\/"},"author":{"name":"John Morgan","@id":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/af5cc5dc09232fe6e9a6be05de0ba3b8"},"headline":"NFL Week 16 Playoff Picture and Scenarios","datePublished":"2015-12-23T13:00:20+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2015\/12\/23\/nfl-week-16-playoff-picture-and-scenarios\/"},"wordCount":1445,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2015\/12\/23\/nfl-week-16-playoff-picture-and-scenarios\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Lombardi-trophies.jpg","keywords":["2015 NFL Season","AFC","AFC East","AFC North","AFC South","AFC West","Arizona Cardinals","Carolina Panthers","Cincinnati Bengals","Denver Broncos","Green Bay Packers","Houston Texans","Indianapolis Colts","Kansas City Chiefs","Minnesota Vikings","New England Patriots","New York Giants","New York Jets","NFC","NFC East","NFC North","NFC South","NFC West","Philadelphia Eagles","Pittsburgh Steelers","Roger Goodell","Seattle Seahawks","Washington Redskins"],"articleSection":["Patriots News"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2015\/12\/23\/nfl-week-16-playoff-picture-and-scenarios\/","url":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2015\/12\/23\/nfl-week-16-playoff-picture-and-scenarios\/","name":"NFL Week 16 Playoff Picture and Scenarios","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2015\/12\/23\/nfl-week-16-playoff-picture-and-scenarios\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2015\/12\/23\/nfl-week-16-playoff-picture-and-scenarios\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Lombardi-trophies.jpg","datePublished":"2015-12-23T13:00:20+00:00","description":"Realistically there are four remaining playoff races: Broncos and Bengals for a bye; Chiefs and Steelers for #5 seed and chance to play Houston; NFC East;\u00a0","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2015\/12\/23\/nfl-week-16-playoff-picture-and-scenarios\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2015\/12\/23\/nfl-week-16-playoff-picture-and-scenarios\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2015\/12\/23\/nfl-week-16-playoff-picture-and-scenarios\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Lombardi-trophies.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Lombardi-trophies.jpg","width":1137,"height":640},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/2015\/12\/23\/nfl-week-16-playoff-picture-and-scenarios\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Patriots News","item":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/category\/patriots-news\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"NFL Week 16 Playoff Picture and Scenarios"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/","name":"PatsFans.com","description":"Patriots Blog with News and Analysis","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/#organization","name":"PatsFans.com","url":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/PF_Social_Logo.webp","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/PF_Social_Logo.webp","width":300,"height":300,"caption":"PatsFans.com"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pfans","https:\/\/x.com\/patsfans","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/patsfans","https:\/\/www.pinterest.com\/patsfans\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/patsfans","https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@patsfans.official"],"foundingDate":"2000-06-17"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/af5cc5dc09232fe6e9a6be05de0ba3b8","name":"John Morgan","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/cdff8dd2a6c8f622ebe439891d6d193d2cff836260393578757a983b7e4903bf?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/cdff8dd2a6c8f622ebe439891d6d193d2cff836260393578757a983b7e4903bf?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/cdff8dd2a6c8f622ebe439891d6d193d2cff836260393578757a983b7e4903bf?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"John Morgan"},"url":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/author\/john-morgan\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/10\/Lombardi-trophies.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3813","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3813"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3813\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3815,"href":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3813\/revisions\/3815"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1685"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3813"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3813"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.patsfans.com\/patriots\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3813"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}