NFL Playoff Scenarios 2016-17: AFC, NFC Week 16 Picture, Postseason Predictions

As we prepare to turn the page on Week 15 of the NFL season, the playoff picture is finally beginning to take some shape. At the same time, however, there are still plenty of questions to be answered.

The New England Patriots, Oakland Raiders and Seattle Seahawks all clinched playoff berths in Week 15, which means we now have four guaranteed participants for the postseason—the Dallas Cowboys were already in.

Looking ahead to week 16, there are a few more teams that can punch their postseason tickets.

The Pittsburgh Steelers can claim the AFC North with a win over the Baltimore Ravens. The Detroit Lions can claim the NFC North with a win and a Green Bay Packers loss. The Houston Texans can clinch the NFC South with a win and a Tennessee Titans loss. The Atlanta Falcons can win the NFC South with a win and a Tampa Bay Buccaneers loss.

Today, we’re going to take a look at the playoff picture at hand and make some bold predictions for the coming postseason. First, though, let’s examine the current NFL standings.

Week 16 Standings

Bold Playoff Predictions

Titans Win the AFC South, Texans still Get In

A year ago, the Titans finished tied for the worst record in the NFL at 3-13. Now, the resurgent franchise if on the cusp of winning a division title.

The Titans and the Texans currently share an 8-6 record. If records hold and the two teams enter the season finale tied, that game will become the de facto AFC South Championship.

As it turns out, Tennessee will host the Texans in that game. The Titans are playing high-quality football right now, having knocked off the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs in consecutive weeks. The Texans, meanwhile, are facing a quarterback dilemma after pulling starter Brock Osweiler in favor of Tom Savage on Sunday.

DeAndre Hopkins on Tom Savage ‘He knows this offense. It showed today. He did a great job’

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) December 18, 2016

Our guess is the Titans both take care of business in Week 16 and win the finale to finish 10-6 and claim the division title.

However, we wouldn’t at all be surprised to see the 9-7 Texans slip into the postseason as the final wild-card team.

The 9-5 Miami Dolphins finish the season against the Buffalo Bills and the New England Patriots. Assuming New England doesn’t rest all of its starters in Week 17, there’s a real chance the Dolphins lose both and finish 9-7. This would leave the Dolphins with …

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