While the NFC playoff picture is not so clear-cut, five of the six AFC playoff spots have been clinched in the NFL this week. But even with most of the AFC playoff picture determined, there are a few AFC playoff scenarios that need to be decided in week 17.

Before we look at those playoff scenarios, let’s recap the AFC action in week 16. The Patriots walloped the Bills 34-3, clinching home field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Steelers clinched a playoff spot on Thursday with a 27-3 win over the Panthers. The Ravens beat the Browns 20-10, also clinching a playoff spot. The Steelers and Ravens are both fighting for the same playoff scenario - the AFC North championship and a first-round bye in the playoffs. If both remain tied next week, Pittsburgh wins with the tiebreaker. The Jets lost to the Bears 38-34 but clinched an AFC wildcard spot with a Jaguar loss.  The Chiefs clinched the AFC West with a 34-14 win over Broncos.

Going into this week, the Colts and Jaguars were both in the AFC playoff picture, tied for the AFC South division lead. But a Colts win and Jaguars loss gives the Colts the playoff edge. The Colts beat the Raiders 31-26, eliminating  them the AFC playoff picture while the Jaguars lost to the Redskins in OT 20-17.  A Colts win or Jaguars loss next week gives the Colts the AFC South championship. The Chargers 34-20 loss to the Bengals eliminates them from playoff contention.

Here is what the NFL playoff picture looks like in the AFC going into the last week of the NFL regular season:

• New England Patriots (13-2) have clinched the AFC East and home field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs.
• Pittsburgh Steelers (11-4) have clinched a playoff spot and can clinch the AFC North championship and a first-round bye with a win against the Browns next week in Cleveland.
• Kansas City Chiefs (10-5) have clinched the AFC West.
• Indianapolis Colts (9-6) holds the edge for grabbing the last AFC playoff spot. A Colts win or Jacksonville Jaguars (8-7) loss next week gets them in the playoffs as the AFC South champions.
• Baltimore Ravens (11-4) have clinched a playoff spot and, at best, could end up with a first-round bye and the AFC North championship with a win and Steelers loss next week.
• New York Jets (10-5) have clinched an AFC wildcard spot.

So, who plays who in the first week of the AFC playoffs?
Well, assuming the Steelers beat the Browns next week and win the AFC North championship, the AFC playoff scenario would look like this…

• New England Patriots (AFC Playoff Seed 1) and Pittsburgh Steelers (AFC Playoff Seed 2) earn byes.
• New York Jets (AFC Playoff Seed 6) would play at Kansas City Chiefs (AFC Playoff Seed 3).
• Baltimore Ravens (AFC Playoff Seed 5) would play at Indianapolis Colts (AFC Playoff Seed 4).

What happens if the Steelers lose and the Jets and Ravens win next week?
In this AFC playoff scenario, the Steelers get a wildcard berth and get the 6th seed. The Jets, who hold the tiebreaker against the Steelers, would move up to the 5th seed. The Ravens would get the 2nd seed as the AFC North champion and receive a first round bye.

What is the playoff scenario if the Colts lose and the Jaguars win?
The Jaguars get the 4th seed and the Colts are eliminated.

The NFL playoff picture will be realized next week and all but one AFC playoff scenario will remain.

Sources: nfl.com, cbs.com, espn,com

The Philadelphia Eagles take on the Dallas Cowboys tonight in the first of two NFC wildcard matchups this weekend. And if the playoff history of both teams hold true, then the Eagles should advance in the NFC playoff race.

The Cowboys haven’t won an NFC Wildcard game since 1996 (losing it’s last 5 wildcard appearances in 2007, 2004, 2000,1999 and 1997). Secondly, Eagles coach Andy Reid is 4-0 in wildcard games while Wade Phillips is 0-4.

But not so fast! The Cowboys have won the first two games this season against the Eagles by a combined score of 44-16. And even more importantly, the Cowboys have a new swagger, a new stadium and a QB who is playing his best ball coming into the NFC Wildcard Weekend.

In the regular season, the Cowboys had the 2nd overall offense (6th in passing/7th in rushing). Their opponents, the Eagles, were 11th overall in the NFL offensively (10th in passing/22nd in rushing).

Defensively the Cowboys are ranked 9th overall (20th against the pass/4th against the rush) while the Eagles are 12th overall (17th against the pass/9th against the rush).

When you look at the matchups in this game you need to look at the big play threat of Eagles WR DeSean Jackson. Although he has been outstanding all year, against the Cowboys he has only 5 catches for 76 yards in their two meetings. But the Eagles have other go-to players on offense, including TE Brent Celek, RB Brian Westbrook and QB Donovan McNabb.

One of the biggest factors for the Eagles offense is the loss of Center Jamall Jackson to injury just two weeks ago. The Dallas Defense, led by LB DeMarcus Ware should be able to put a lot of pressure on McNabb.

When it comes to the Cowboys offense, they seem to be hitting their stride. Another major factor to consider is the fact that the Eagles linebackers have been in disarray all season, and the secondary has gambled and gotten burned too many times.
QB Tony Romo and TE Jason Witten should have a field day against the Eagles defense.

This is a breakout year for the Cowboys. They have dominated the Eagles, have their “mojo” back and are playing their best ball at the right time. The Cowboys are favored by 4 points and the under/over is 45 points.

Thenflthisweek.com prediction:

Cowboys 31 Eagles 14

Going into week 15 of the 2009 NFL season, the NFC playoff picture is pretty clear. Four teams have already clinched a spot in the NFC playoffs; they are the Saints (13-1), Vikings (11-3), Cardinals (9-5) and Eagles (10-4). Three other teams are in the hunt for the final two NFC playoff spots, they include the Cowboys (9-5), Packers (9-5) and the Giants (8-6).

Here is the NFC playoff picture going into week 15 of the NFL season:

New Orleans Saints (13-1)

• Clinched the the NFC South and a first-round bye
• Clinches homefield advantage throughout the NFC playoffs with:
  A win or tie OR
  Minnesota loss or tie

Minnesota Vikings (11-3)

• Clinched NFC North
• Clinches first-round bye with:
  A win and Philadelphia loss or tie OR
  A tie and Philadelphia loss

Arizona (9-5)

• Clinched NFC West

Philadelphia (10-4)

• Clinched a playoff spot
• Clinches NFC East with:
  A win and Dallas loss or tie OR
  A tie and Dallas loss

Green Bay Packers (9-5)

• Clinches a playoff spot with:
  A win and Giants loss or tie OR
  A win and Dallas loss OR
  A tie and Giants loss

Dallas Cowboys (9-5)

• Clinches a playoff spot with:
  win and Giants loss or tie OR
  tie and Giants loss

The New York Giants are still in the NFC playoff picture but it will take a loss by both the Packers AND Cowboys over the next three weeks in order for them to have a chance.

sources: NY Daily News, nfl.com, espn.com