- Commissioner’s statement on Ventura, Marte
- Ronnie O’Sullivan: Masters champion ‘felt so vulnerable’ in final
- Arron Fletcher Wins 2017 WSOP International Circuit Marrakech Main Event ($140,224)
- Smith challenges Warner to go big in India
- Moncada No. 1 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Braves land 2 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- Kingery makes MLB Pipeline’s Top 10 2B Prospects list
- New Zealand wrap up 2-0 after Bangladesh implosion
- Mathews, Pradeep, Gunathilaka to return to Sri Lanka
- Elliott hopes for rain for Poli
NFL Playoffs 2017: Full Postseason Bracket and Picture Before Wild Card
- Updated: January 7, 2017
If you’re a college basketball fan, think about advancing through the NFL postseason much like a college basketball team going step by step to the Final Four.
Often, it’s not the best team who goes far or wins it all, but the one that is lucky enough to find itself on the path of least resistance.
Last year, everyone loved Michigan State. Lots of folks predicted them to win the national title.
However, the Spartans, who were seeded second in the Midwest Regional, got bounced in the first round by No. 15 seed Middle Tennessee State.
Who benefitted the most? No. 10 Syracuse, who got to play the Blue Raiders in the second round.
‘Cuse crushed the Blue Raiders and then was lucky enough to face No. 11 seed Gonzaga, which took out No. 6 seed Seton Hall and No. 3 seed Utah on the way to the Sweet 16.
The Orange beat the Zags and upset No. 1 seed Virginia, and then just like that, they were in the Final Four.
Were they a top-four team last year? Absolutely not. The final Ken Pomeroy college basketball rankings listed Syracuse 27th.
But they traveled on the path of least resistance, and that’s what helped them along the way.
Here is the full NFL postseason bracket and a look at the playoff picture through the paths of least and most resistance, which could boost (or halt) a team’s shot at a Super Bowl appearance.
The Playoff Picture is official.#NFLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/xnmwYZ10Zu
— NFL (@NFL) January 2, 2017
…
