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

There are some really big matchups in the NFL this week; Jets play the Steelers, Eagles take on the Giants and the Jaguars versus the Colts. NFL Week 15 action will further shape the 2010 NFL playoff race.

Here is the NFL spreads, picks and predictions against-the-spread in Week 15 action for Sunday, December 19, 2010 and Monday, December 19, 2010.

ST. LOUIS RAMS (-3) Over Kansas City Chiefs
Three factors that influence this NFL pick. The Chiefs lost last week on the road in San Diego 31-0, they’re on the road again this week and QB Matt Cassell is questionable (appendectomy).
Over/Under: 42.5

TENNESSEE TITANS (PICK) Over Houston Texans
Although the Titans have lost 6 straight games, they are coming off extra rest while the Texans travel on short rest in this PICK-EM NFL matchup.
Over/Under: 47.5

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (-5) Over Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars have rushed for more than 200 yards in their last three games but they’re facing a dangerous wounded animal, Peyton Manning, who faces playoff elimination with a loss. It doesn’t hurt that the Colts are playing home in Lucas Field.
Over/Under: 48

Arizona Cardinals (+3) Over CAROLINA PANTHERS
Two big statistics that influence this NFL pick, the Panthers are 1-12 Straight up and 3-10 Against-the-Spread this year in NFL action, and don’t forget, the Panthers are out of the NFL playoff picture.
Over/Under: 37

Cleveland Browns (+1) Over CINCINNATI BENGALS
How can a team (Bengals) that’s lost 10 in a row be the favorite? This battle of Ohio has no implications for the NFC playoffs in 2010.
Over/Under: 40

Buffalo Bills (+5) Over MIAMI DOLPHINS
Yes, the Dolphins beat the Jets last week but only because of their punter (500+ yards). The Fish’s QB Chad Henne gets worse and worse.
Over/Under: 40

NEW YORK GIANTS (-3) Over Philadelphia Eagles
Michael Vick wishes he had the Giants “dogs” (running backs Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs). The Giants are healthy, playing at home and the defensive line is playing the best it has all season. Michael Vick won’t be able to beat the Giants in a rematch that will probably decide the NFC East championship.
Over/Under 47.5

DALLAS COWBOYS (-7.5) Over Washington Redskins
It looks like Mike Shanahan and the Redskins have given up on QB Donovan McNabb while the Cowboys are giving their all for interim head coach Jason Garrett. The spread has widened as the week went on but it still won’t matter.
Over/Under: 44.5

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (-4.5) Over Detroit Lions
The Lions upset the Green Bay Packers last week, mainly due to the concussion of Packers QB Aaron Rodgers. What are the chances of the Lions winning two in a row? – Zilch
Over/Under: 43

New Orleans Saints (+2) Over BALTIMORE RAVENS
The Saints have won 6 straight, beat the Rams 31-13 last week and are looking to be in the playoff race in 2010. Last week, the Ravens defense gave up 28 points in their 34-28 win over the Houston Texans. Expect Drew Brees to be the difference in this one.
Over/Under: 44.5

Atlanta Falcons (-7) Over SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
The Falcons have the best record in the NFC (11-2) but may be looking ahead to next week’s battle against the Saints. On the other hand, the Seahawks lost big to the 49ers last week 40-21. Falcons should have no problems scoring and covering the spread.
Over/Under: 46

New York Jets (+4.5) Over PITTSBURGH STEELERS
How can we pick a team that hasn’t scored a touchdown in weeks? Let’s just say – a hunch; and that the “Green Wall-Gate” conspiracy has shifted the media focus off Jets recent poor offensive play. Another big factor is the Steelers defensive standout Troy Palomalu probably will not play due to injury.
Over/Under: 36

Denver Broncos (+8) Over OAKLAND RAIDERS
The Broncos have a new interim head coach and will seek revenge of the 59-14 loss at home to the Raider. Lets just say we’re picking the Broncos to cover the spread.
Over/Under: 42

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (-14.5) Over Green Bay Packers
Nobody in their right mind would pick the Packers in this contest. Even with the Patriots already having secured a playoff spot and the Packers playing without QB Aaron Rodgers, the Pats will cover this HUGE spread.
Over/Under: 44

MINNESOTA VIKINGS (+4) Over Chicago Bears
Let’s just say that Brett Favre plays great in outside in cold weather and the Vikings will be playing outside due to the snowball collapse at the Metrodome.
Over/Under: 45

HOMETEAM IN CAPS

Expect some great NFL action in Week 15 this weekend.

Sources: nfl.com, bodog.com

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