The Playoff Picture

Week 12 gave us a few more ideas on what to expect come playoff time.  Both the Bears and the Falcons proved that they are for real in the NFC, and the Chargers proved that they are right back in the hunt in the AFC.  For those of you that are not quite sure of how the playoffs are pieced together, I will explain, and will also go through what to look out for in the remainder of the season.

The playoffs consist of 6 teams from both the AFC and the NFC.  The 4 division winners from each conference are automatically in the playoffs, regardless of record.  The other 2 teams in each conference are the 2 teams with the best records, despite division.  These teams are known as the 'Wildcard' teams.  It is possible for both wildcard teams to come out of the same division.  Therefore it is possible, that 3 teams could make the playoffs, from the same division.

The 4 division winners from each conference are seeded 1 to 4, on overall record.  The top 2 seeds have a bye in the first weekend of the playoffs - the 'Wildcard Round'.  Here the 3rd seed hosts the 6th seed, and the 4th seed hosts the 5th seed.  Obviously in playoff football the winner advances, and the loser goes home.  In the rest of the rounds the highest seed always plays the lowest seed, with the teams in between playing each other.  The highest seed always hosts the game.  Therefore the team that is seeded 1 has what is termed as 'Home Field Advantage'.  This means that team will play every game at home, until the Superbowl.

I know that sounds very complicated, so here is the playoff situation at the moment:

AFC

1. Jets 9 - 2 (East)

2. Ravens 8 - 3 (North)

3. Chiefs 7 - 4 (West)

4. Jaguars 6 - 5 (South)

5. Patriots 9 - 2 (East)

6. Steelers 8 - 3 (North)

NFC

1. Falcons 9 - 2 (South)

2. Bears 8 - 3 (North)

3. Eagles 7 - 4 (East)

4. Rams 5 - 6 (West)

5. Saints 8 - 3 (South)

6. Giants 7 - 4 (East)

 

 So as you can see from the seeds at the moment, Wildcard Weekend would see:

Steelers @ Chiefs

Patriots @ Jaguars

Giants @ Eagles

Saints @ Rams

These are 4 great games, but this situation is obviously very fluid, and to track this I am going to add a new feature to the site.  At the top of the page will be a 'Playoff Picture' tab (to be added later this week).  After every game is played I will update this section.  As well as showing the 6 seeds in each conference, I will add to the bottom, the teams that are in the hunt for a playoff spot.  The playoff season is fast approaching, and we need to know the situation for our teams.  Enjoy the new feature, and I hope this helps to explain how the playoff schedule is formed.