The playoffs for the 2022 NFL season are upon us, and a lot of fans are wondering how the league might shake up. We have a few scenarios to help you out.
Cincinnati Bengals
As the NFL regular season winds down, the playoff picture is beginning to clear up. Several teams have secured playoff spots, including the Los Angeles Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants. In the NFC, the Seattle Seahawks, the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Green Bay Packers are all in contention for homefield advantage in the playoffs.
The Patriots are still in the hunt for a playoff spot. They’ve won six of their last seven games and could jump the Dolphins if they win out in Foxboro on Sunday. However, they could still be two games back if the Bengals win out.
With two teams left in the AFC North and the AFC South, the playoff picture is becoming more clear. Kansas City has locked up the top seed in the division, while the Dolphins and the Bills are both fighting for second.
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots have a chance to lock up an AFC East title and a playoff berth with a win in Week 17. But they will need some help from other teams to make that happen. Below are two scenarios that could end up deciding the Patriots’ postseason fate.
The most obvious scenario would involve a loss by the Raiders in Week 17 to the Patriots. That could send the Patriots to the playoffs for the first time since September of 2020. However, the Patriots also need help from the Bills and the Dolphins.
The Patriots have been in the hunt for the playoffs for years. They have two AFC East rivals and a team in the AFC West to contend with. In fact, the Patriots have never lost to Miami in the regular season.
Pittsburgh Steelers
As the regular season comes to a close, we’ll be looking at some NFL playoff-clinching scenarios. These will help you determine which teams are still in the running for a berth in the postseason and which ones are likely to be eliminated from the race.
The New York Giants are in good position to make the postseason despite their loss to the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday. But the Giants need a bit more help to reach the playoffs. They have to win their final two games, or at least tie.
There are several other teams in the running to lock up a playoff spot in Week 17. Miami and the Jets, for example, both need one more win to earn their postseason tickets. Luckily for the Dolphins, they’ll have an easier time securing a berth with their upcoming game against the Patriots.
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are one of the teams to watch in the AFC East. They have two wins and are on track to claim a playoff spot. However, the Dolphins must win at least two of their last three games. If they lose either of their last two games, they will be out of the playoffs.
With a 9-8 record, the Dolphins are in the running for the sixth seed, but they need help to make the playoffs. One team that could be involved in the wild card playoff game is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who play in Week 18 against the Cowboys.
Another team that can make a claim to the playoffs is the New England Patriots. If the Patriots win both of their last two games, they’ll leap frog the Dolphins and the Jets into the postseason.
Seattle Seahawks
With only three weeks remaining in the season, NFL playoff scenarios are getting more and more clear. At this point, four teams have already secured playoff spots in the NFC and four more are on the cusp. Here are a few of the more intriguing playoff scenarios heading into Week 17.
The Giants have lost two of their last three games, but they still have a good chance of making the postseason. A win over the Colts would not affect their chances, but a loss could eliminate them from the playoff picture. It is still possible for the Lions to earn the final wild card spot, but they need a win or a tie next weekend.
The Cardinals have been losing a lot of games lately, but they can make a late surge to get into the playoffs. They beat the Panthers in Week 13 and have Mike White back for this week’s game.
