The Week 17 NFL / Playoff final push thread - aka, will we get a sub-500 team in?

[Arles]

Pro Bowl voting is also complete and the team has been announced. Here's the playoff breakdown (credit to ESPN) for teams that can still make it/change seeds:

NFC
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Philadelphia clinches a first-round bye with:

1) PHI wins twice + CHI loss or tie

Philadelphia clinches home-field advantage with:

1) PHI wins twice + CHI loss or tie + ATL loss + NO loss or tie OR
2) PHI wins twice + ATL loss + NO loss or tie + PHI clinches at least a tie in strength of victory tiebreaker over ATL

CHICAGO BEARS
Chicago clinches a first-round bye with:

1) one PHI loss OR
2) CHI win OR
3) CHI tie + one PHI tie

Chicago clinches home-field advantage with:

1) CHI win + ATL loss + NO loss or tie + one PHI loss or tie

ATLANTA FALCONS
Atlanta clinches NFC South with:

1) ATL win or tie OR
2) NO loss or tie

Atlanta clinches a first-round bye with:

1) NO loss or tie + CHI loss or tie OR
2) NO loss or tie + one PHI loss or tie

Atlanta clinches home-field advantage with:

1) ATL win or tie OR
2) NO loss or tie + CHI loss or tie + one PHI loss or tie OR
3) NO loss or tie + CHI win + two PHI wins + ATL clinches strength of victory tiebreaker over PHI

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
New Orleans clinches NFC South and home-field advantage with:

1) NO win + ATL loss

GREEN BAY PACKERS
Green Bay clinches a playoff spot:

1) GB win
2) GB tie + NYG loss or tie + TB loss or tie
3) NYG loss + TB loss

NEW YORK GIANTS
N.Y. Giants clinch a playoff spot:

1) NYG win + GB loss or tie OR
2) NYG tie + GB loss + TB loss or tie

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Tampa Bay clinches a playoff spot:

1) TB win + NYG loss or tie + GB loss or tie OR
2) TB tie + NYG loss + GB loss

ST. LOUIS RAMS
St. Louis clinches NFC West division:

1) STL win or tie

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Seattle clinches NFC West division:

1) SEA win

AFC
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Pittsburgh clinches AFC North division and a first-round bye:

1) PIT win
2) PIT tie + BAL loss or tie
3) BAL loss

BALTIMORE RAVENS
Baltimore clinches AFC North division and a first-round bye:

1) BAL win + PIT loss or tie
2) BAL tie + PIT loss

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Indianapolis clinches AFC South division:

1) IND win or tie
2) JAC loss or tie

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Jacksonville clinches AFC South division:

1) JAC win + IND loss

[Arles]

On the Pro bowl voting, maybe someone can explain to me how player A gets voted in before player B:

A: 89.8 rating, 3,469 yards, 62.2% comp, 6.44 ypa, 26 TDs, 9 INT, 115 rushing yards, 0 TDs

B: 102 rating, 3,693 yards, 65.5% comp, 8.3 ypa, 27 TDs, 10 INT, 335 rushing yards, 4 TDs

I know Atlanta had a better season, but I don't see any justification for Ryan over Rodgers in the Pro Bowl. And, to be fair, I can't imagine that there aren't 2 LTs in the NFC better than Chad Clifton. He was pretty marginal this season.

[Radii]

I wonder if we have ever had 4 teams in contention for home field in one conference going into the final week of the season before? Of course, if Atlanta doesn't get it easily by crushing Carolina I'll be stunned.

[Greyroofoo]

Holy crap!

Detroit not only sent 1 player to the pro bowl, but TWO players!!!!!11!

[Mustang]

Originally Posted by Arles

I don't see any justification for Ryan over Rodgers in the Pro Bowl.

The comeback wins.

And a nickname. Nicknames get you bonus points.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Originally Posted by Greyroofoo

Holy crap!

Detroit not only sent 1 player to the pro bowl, but TWO players!!!!!11!

Two starters, no less.

Both very much deserved. Suh and Johnson are really fantastic players and had great years. Hopefully, the Lions can build off the last few games of this year for next year.

The Lions were about where they were expected to be in terms of wins. That's pretty impressive given that Stafford missed almost the entire season. The Lions had the lead in both games when Stafford went down and they won the one game he finished. They also didn't get blown out in any games this year, other than maybe against the Patriots. That's a big step coming from the last several years where there were at least a few games each year in which the Lions were totally destroyed. So, there's a little bit of hope for the first time in a while.

[Greyroofoo]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

The Lions were about where they were expected to be in terms of wins. That's pretty impressive given that Stafford missed almost the entire season. The Lions had the lead in both games when Stafford went down and they won the one game he finished. They also didn't get blown out in any games this year, other than maybe against the Patriots. That's a big step coming from the last several years where there were at least a few games each year in which the Lions were totally destroyed. So, there's a little bit of hope for the first time in a while.

Heck , even if you look at Sagarin's ratings, he has the Lions at #16. So by his standards the Lions are in the top half of the league!

[Logan]

Congrats to Devin McCourty on making the Pro Bowl...not bad for the rookie.

[molson]

Originally Posted by Logan

Congrats to Devin McCourty on making the Pro Bowl...not bad for the rookie.

He's been really awesome, making big plays all over the place.

The Pats defense bends a lot but they're young and active and create a ton of big plays and turnovers (#1 team in the league in turnovers forced) and McCourty is a huge part of that.

Edit: I looked up that stat to confirm that, and saw that the Pats are #1 both in most turnovers forced and fewest turnovers committed for a +27 ratio, when the next highest team is at +14. I wonder where that stands historically.

[BishopMVP]

Apparently right now it's 12th all-time. 1983 Redskins hold the record with an absurd +43. Pats are (probably) going to break the previous record for fewest turnovers of 13, since they only have 9 so far.

[Logan]

Originally Posted by molson

He's been really awesome, making big plays all over the place.

The Pats defense bends a lot but they're young and active and create a ton of big plays and turnovers (#1 team in the league in turnovers forced) and McCourty is a huge part of that.

And to think we had a poster here who swore that McCourty sucked.

[SteveMax58]

Why do the Eagles continue to screw the Giants?

Oh well...they only have themselves to blame...as usual.

[Ksyrup]

Originally Posted by Arles

On the Pro bowl voting, maybe someone can explain to me how player A gets voted in before player B:

A: 89.8 rating, 3,469 yards, 62.2% comp, 6.44 ypa, 26 TDs, 9 INT, 115 rushing yards, 0 TDs

B: 102 rating, 3,693 yards, 65.5% comp, 8.3 ypa, 27 TDs, 10 INT, 335 rushing yards, 4 TDs

I know Atlanta had a better season, but I don't see any justification for Ryan over Rodgers in the Pro Bowl. And, to be fair, I can't imagine that there aren't 2 LTs in the NFC better than Chad Clifton. He was pretty marginal this season.

Does it really matter? Once all the fake injuries are sorted out, Drew Stanton will be vying for playing time.

[Lathum]

What a joke Brandon Jacobs didn't make the pro bowl.

[stevew]

Congrats to David Gerrard for making the pro bowl again*


*after the first 5 alternates bow out.

[Matthean]

Originally Posted by Honolulu_Blue

Two starters, no less.

Suh is the first rookie to start for the Lions since Barry.

[Abe Sargent]

DT in the AFC is so packed with good players, its hard to make the Pro Bowl cut. There were several DTs with great seasons, worthy of a Pro Bowl spot, but just don;t get it.

[miked]

Originally Posted by Logan

And to think we had a poster here who swore that McCourty sucked.

Hang that guy by his balls.

[Logan]

[RainMaker]

Originally Posted by BishopMVP

Apparently right now it's 12th all-time. 1983 Redskins hold the record with an absurd +43. Pats are (probably) going to break the previous record for fewest turnovers of 13, since they only have 9 so far.

That's an insane number. I just don't know how you do that. At some point you figure guys are just going to fumble from a weird hit or a muffed punt. To be able to have that few turnovers and play an aggressive style of ball is remarkable.

[Matthean]

Originally Posted by BishopMVP

Apparently right now it's 12th all-time. 1983 Redskins hold the record with an absurd +43. Pats are (probably) going to break the previous record for fewest turnovers of 13, since they only have 9 so far.

If the Redskins had the lowest number, that still puts them at creating 56 turnovers and thus 3.5 per game.

[BishopMVP]

Originally Posted by Matthean

If the Redskins had the lowest number, that still puts them at creating 56 turnovers and thus 3.5 per game.

61-18 actually 1983 Washington Redskins Statistics & Players - Pro-Football-Reference.com . A minimum of 4 TO's caused each of the last 8 regular season games.

If we're talking about horrible Pro Bowl nominations, I think the inclusion of Logan Mankins (held out first 7 games) is atrocious, but it looks positively inspired next to Brandon Meriwether's nod, considering he's been benched for multiple games for poor on-field and practice play.

[Thomkal]

And the commissioner's findings on the whole Favre/Jenn Sterger "affair" is in:

Brett Favre fined for not cooperating in sexting probe - ESPN

[Buccaneer]

I find it amazing that a team projected to pick 6th in the draft was alive for the playoffs in Week 16.

[Matthean]

Originally Posted by Buccaneer

I find it amazing that a team projected to pick 6th in the draft was alive for the playoffs in Week 16.

Originally Posted by Greyroofoo

Heck , even if you look at Sagarin's ratings, he has the Lions at #16. So by his standards the Lions are in the top half of the league!

Highest rated NFC West team is 27th. I can't even raise the point of the Rams getting beaten so badly by Detroit as to why their number is so low considering victory margin isn't factored in. Normally a 38 point loss to a 5 win team is going to really screw with the numbers.

[CU Tiger]

So Favre is fined 50k for "not cooperating"
And if he refuses to pay?

[jbergey22]

Originally Posted by CU Tiger

So Favre is fined 50k for "not cooperating"
And if he refuses to pay?

They will garnish his wages.

[Dutch]

Brett Favre is making $16 million dollars this year. I think he'll live.

In other words, if Brett Favre was making $50,000 a year like normal people...the fine wold have been $150 for not cooperating. The NFL is so heavy handed!

[jbergey22]

Apparently sponsors are going to pay his fine. Im sure Sterger is real impressed.

[Sun Tzu]

Originally Posted by Lathum

What a joke Brandon Jacobs didn't make the pro bowl.

this

[Sun Tzu]

Originally Posted by Buccaneer

I find it amazing that a team projected to pick 6th in the draft was alive for the playoffs in Week 16.

I'm assuming you mean the 49ers? They're projected 9th, but I still see your point.

NFL Draft Order

[StLee]

Originally Posted by Sun Tzu

I'm assuming you mean the 49ers? They're projected 9th, but I still see your point.

NFL Draft Order

That draft order is a little off, no? It has the Patriots' lowest possible draft spot being 31. However, the 31st and 32nd spots are reserved for the Super Bowl teams. The Patriots could get one of those two spots, but there is no guarantee. The 30th spot is their lowest possible spot due to them having the best record in the NFL.

[EagleFan]

This may be the only week that I want the Eagles to lose to the Cowboys, that way it screws up their draft pick....

[CU Tiger]

Originally Posted by jbergey22

They will garnish his wages.

I dont think the Vkings could garnish on behalf of the NFL...that is a pretty clear violation of the anti trust legislation/agreement.

Originally Posted by Dutch

Brett Favre is making $16 million dollars this year. I think he'll live.

In other words, if Brett Favre was making $50,000 a year like normal people...the fine wold have been $150 for not cooperating. The NFL is so heavy handed!

I get that it is chicken scratch, and I know it goes to charity...but if I am Brett just to prove a point I think I refue to pay and tell them to suspnd me for it....

[stevew]

Originally Posted by StLee

That draft order is a little off, no? It has the Patriots' lowest possible draft spot being 31. However, the 31st and 32nd spots are reserved for the Super Bowl teams. The Patriots could get one of those two spots, but there is no guarantee. The 30th spot is their lowest possible spot due to them having the best record in the NFL.

I believe that according to recent changes, if they lose the first week in the playoffs they would pick 28th. 29/30 would be the conference losers, 31/32 the superbowl teams

[stevew]

The Rams or the Seahawks will pick 21st assuming they lose in the first round of the playoffs.

[EagleFan]

Originally Posted by CU Tiger

I get that it is chicken scratch, and I know it goes to charity...but if I am Brett just to prove a point I think I refue to pay and tell them to suspnd me for it....

To prove what point? That he's a prick?

[ISiddiqui]

I guess that's a better change than sending pictures of his prick.

[stevew]

Favre should sell autographed pictures of his junk in order to pay the fine.

[Greyroofoo]

Originally Posted by CU Tiger

I get that it is chicken scratch, and I know it goes to charity...but if I am Brett just to prove a point I think I refue to pay and tell them to suspnd me for it....

Then how is he suppose to play next year?

[Thomkal]

And John Fox is officially out at coach of the Panthers after this last game: (thank god)

John Fox Out After Panthers' Season Finale Sunday -- NFL FanHouse

[Dutch]

meh, I think he's a pretty good coach. The question you always have to ask yourself, "Will other teams want to hire him when he is fired?" and I think the answer is yes.

[Radii]

Originally Posted by Thomkal

And John Fox is officially out at coach of the Panthers after this last game: (thank god)

John Fox Out After Panthers' Season Finale Sunday -- NFL FanHouse

hooray! I wish him success elsewhere as long as he doesn't end up as a coordinator for a division opponent or anything, but he long ago wore out his welcome with me.

[kingfc22]

Niners better not win this pointless game, but since that has been their M.O. the best few years I'm sure they will win by 20+.

[Mizzou B-ball fan]

Mentioned on KC local news that Weis may accept the OC job at Florida as soon as Monday.

[Abe Sargent]

I don't get why an NFL OC who just got his team to a divisional champiosnhip, a ten win season, and is getting lots of accolades jumps to have the same position at a college

[JonInMiddleGA]

Originally Posted by Abe Sargent

I don't get why an NFL OC who just got his team to a divisional champiosnhip, a ten win season, and is getting lots of accolades jumps to have the same position at a college

Just guessing here but ... the Florida job is considered a better job than the Chiefs job?

[stevew]

Not having to live in KC(sorry Matt).

[Matthean]

Originally Posted by stevew

Not having to live in KC(sorry Matt).

More likely getting to live in Florida.