Written by Jon Lee
Follow @thejonlee on Twitter
NFL Playoff Odds For every Team - Week 16
Virtually all of the playoff intrigue in the NFL exists in the NFC. Whether that is due to the quality of teams or general ineptitude keeping teams in the race is up for debate. What is certain is that plenty rides on the final two weeks of the regular season.
The one sure thing seems to be Atlanta as the top overall seed. The easiest way for the Falcons to clinch home field throughout would be to beat the Lions on Sunday. The Packers and 49ers have clinched playoff spots, but the two teams are battling playing for the 2-seed and a first-round bye. A Green Bay loss would likely lock them into the third spot.
Seattle has been terrific the past two weeks and is now in a great position at 95.9 percent likelihood of a playoff berth. The Seahawks still have an outside shot at the West division title with a 40.2 percent chance of doing so. They host the Niners on Sunday and have yet to lose at home this season.
The fates of the NFC East teams – Washington, Dallas, and New York – as well as Minnesota and Chicago are all intertwined. Right now the Redskins are in the best position with a 62.4 percent chance at the playoffs. They also have a 50/50 shot at the division, but much of this hinges on the health of RG3 despite the solid performance of back-up quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Minnesota is currently the 6th seed, but is the least probable of the contenders because it has games against Houston and Green Bay remaining. That could change drastically if the Packers do not have anything play for in Week 17. AccuScore has the Giants ahead of the Cowboys because of strength of schedule. New York and Dallas are both about 50 percent to win this week, but the Giants are 72 percent favorites in Week 17 against the Eagles. The Cowboys have another coin flip Week 17 against Washington.
Chicago has lost 5 of its last 6 games, and desperately needs to win out to salvage a playoff spot and their once promising season. With two very winnable road games to end the season (Detroit, Arizona), the Bears need to win both and hope for the best.
| NFC |
PLAYOFFS |
WIN DIV |
| ATLANTA FALCONS |
100.0% |
100.0% |
| GREEN BAY PACKERS |
100.0% |
100.0% |
| SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS |
100.0% |
59.8% |
| SEATTLE SEAHAWKS |
95.9% |
40.2% |
| WASHINGTON REDSKINS |
62.4% |
49.9% |
| CHICAGO BEARS |
53.3% |
0.0% |
| NEW YORK GIANTS |
40.4% |
20.8% |
| DALLAS COWBOYS |
27.0% |
29.3% |
| MINNESOTA VIKINGS |
21.0% |
0.0% |
| ST. LOUIS RAMS |
0.1% |
0.0% |
AFC
Unlike the NFC, the AFC is almost wrapped up with the final spot basically coming down to two teams: Cincinnati and Pittsburgh. The two AFC North rivals will play on Sunday with the winner obviously having the inside edge.
The Bengals currently have a one game advantage and are 57 percent likely to win that final playoff spot. The Steelers do have the good fortune of being at home this week, and a win over Cincinnati coupled with a Baltimore win over the Giants would give the Ravens the AFC North title. If Cincinnati beats the Steelers on Sunday, then everything will be decided in Week 17 when the Bengals host the Ravens.
Houston, Denver, and New England have all clinched their respective divisions with the Texans expected to be the top seed at 12-2. With a one game lead over the Patriots and just Cleveland and Kansas City remaining, the Broncos are most likely to win the 2-seed and a first round bye. The Colts are virtual certainties for the playoffs with the ability to clinch a spot without even winning over the final two weeks.
| AFC |
PLAYOFFS |
WIN DIV |
| HOUSTON TEXANS |
100.0% |
100.0% |
| DENVER BRONCOS |
100.0% |
100.0% |
| NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS |
100.0% |
100.0% |
| BALTIMORE RAVENS |
100.0% |
67.8% |
| INDIANAPOLIS COLTS |
92.9% |
0.0% |
| CINCINNATI BENGALS |
57.3% |
18.3% |
| PITTSBURGH STEELERS |
49.3% |
14.0% |
| MIAMI DOLPHINS |
0.4% |
0.0% |
