NFL Playoffs 2017: Updated AFC, NFC Scenarios Before Monday Night Football

NFL teams have been battling for four grueling months, but in many cases, the entire season will come down to one game.

Even with several spots locked up, the final few postseason positions will be decided in Week 17. Those that are already in the playoffs are looking for better seeds, either hoping for a bye or home-field advantage for a game or two. As we have seen plenty of times in the past, this could be the difference between a Super Bowl title and going home early.

Week 17 is filled exclusively with divisional battles, ensuring just about every game has some purpose. Here is a look at the most important playoff scenarios heading into the final week of the season. 

NFC

The NFC doesn’t have a lot of room for movement, even with an important game still to play in Week 16.

Even before playing Monday night, the Dallas Cowboys have already clinched the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Detroit Lions need to win to clinch a playoff berth, but the Week 17 matchup against the Green Bay Packers will still be for the division title regardless.

This is a scary thought for the Lions, especially considering how well the Packers have played as of late. Bleacher Report’s Zach Kruse provided some of the impressive numbers during the recent streak:

#Packers 5-game win streak:- Rodgers: 11 TDs, 0 INTs- Averaging 30.8 points/game- +13 turnover differential (14 takeaways, 1 turnover)

— Zach Kruse (@zachkruse2) December 24, 2016

A Green Bay win would give Aaron Rodgers and company the NFC North title and make the squad extremely dangerous in the playoffs.

On the other hand, both the Packers and Lions are still in danger of missing the postseason entirely. …

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