Week 16 Games of the Week

[Aestis]

What an amazing final two weeks. This is almost certainly the closest, most exciting playoff race we've ever had in our group's history, dating back to the start of Madden 15!


So many games this week with gigantic playoff implications including multiple teams up against elimination:


Titans (9-5) @ Jaguars (13-1)
With HOU having just about clinched the 5 seed, Tennessee is fighting for the final playoff spot of a crazy AFC showdown. A win in Jacksonville would clinch their spot. Meanwhile, Jax has the division wrapped up. Could we see some backups as early as week 16 for this squad? Chiefs fans might hope not (more on that below).


Buccaneers (7-7) @ Saints (7-7)
What a wild ride in the NFC wildcard race! First the Redskins & Saints jumped off to a hot start and looked like the prohibitive favorite, then the Bucs came roaring into the picture with a couple major upsets over top teams while the Saints lost something like 7 in a row and the Skins fell back to Earth. Now all three teams sit at 7-7 with two weeks to go. Obviously this week is huge for both these teams. The loser is likely eliminated from the playoffs, leaving only two teams competing for one wildcard spot.


Cardinals (11-3) @ Seahawks (13-1)
While the 'Hawks have the division just about wrapped up, a Cards victory could at least make it interesting heading into the final week. Moreover, ARI could use a win vs their division rivals. Seattle is flying high ever since their loss to Atlanta and will want to wrap up the season with another big win before heading into the playoffs. Wouldn't be surprised to see some starters benched by both these squads in week 17.


Vikings (7-7) @ Packers (6-8)
Vikes have the 1-game lead in the division, but if Green Bay were to win this game, they would take it back, since they'd win the H2H series 2-0 and thus own the oh-so-crucial tiebreak. If MIN wins, they clinch the division and 4 seed, and the Pack is eliminated. If Green Bay wins, as they did earlier this season already, then they head to Detroit for a very winnable game to clinch the playoff spot in week 17. Both of these teams have seen some ups & downs this season, but all it takes is getting hot at the right time to make a run...


GOTW
Broncos (8-6) @ Chiefs (8-6)
In a week with so many big games, this one still stands a step above. It's an elimination game in Denver--if they lose, Kansas City clinches the division with a 1-game lead and a 2-0 series tiebreak. Moreover, Tennessee would clinch the 6 seed with a Denver loss. This Broncos team is in playoff mode 2 weeks early. But if Denver wins, things get even crazier. Denver would have the 1-game lead but still need a week 17 win (or KC loss) to clinch (otherwise it would go a few tiebreak levels deep...). But even if Denver wins, KC is not eliminated, as long as JAX also beats TEN, since KC has the tiebreak over TEN. KC would need to win week 17 and have TEN lose out (@ JAX, vs HOU).


All in all, both conferences have crazy wildcard races and there are multiple divisions still up for grabs. Good luck to all teams!