Pigskin Pigsplosion: What Games Matter Today for NFL Playoff Implications?

As you’re presumably aware, it’s Week 17. Bittersweetness abounds. The first three playoff weekends are always amongst the best of the year, but we’re fast-approaching the barren stretch where there’s no football forever until September, where life lacks meaning. Already today, there are a bunch of games with no implications whatsoever, excepting draft position. Nothing matters in Patriots-Bills, Jets-Dolphins, Bears-Vikings, Bucs-Saints (Tampa can get first overall pick with a loss) and Eagles-Giants.

Lisk summarized AFC Wild Card implications the other day. San Diego gets in with a win over Kansas City. If the Chiefs win that one, then Baltimore gets in with a win over the Browns (with Connor Shaw at quarterback). If Ravens and Chargers both lose, Texans get in with a win over the Jags. KC needs Houston and Baltimore to both lose. The winner of Bengals-Steelers takes the AFC North, and the loser will be a wild card. The Broncos get the no. 2 seed with a win over the Raiders, but could be overtaken for the bye with a loss and a Bengals win.

In the NFC, Dallas can only get the #1 seed with a win over Washington and a GB/DET tie, and could get bye with losses by both the Seahawks and Cardinals. The Packers-Lions victor wins the NFC South; Detroit wins division in event of tie, and the winner likely gets bye. Carolina and Atlanta are playing for the prestigious NFC South title, and a home game next weekend. In the NFC West, Seattle wins the division and the no. 1 seed with a win over the Frisky Rams; Cardinals get the division with a win and Seahawks loss. Ryan Lindley may affect the tenor of the whole conference. Fun!

On to the picks:

Jacksonville @ Houston (-8) – Ryan: Houston; Jason: Houston; Stephen: Houston

Indianapolis (-7) @ Tennessee – Ryan: Indy; Jason: Tennessee; Stephen: Indy

Cleveland @ Baltimore (-13.5) – Ryan: Cleveland; Jason: Cleveland; Stephen: Cleveland

Buffalo @ New England (-5.5) – Ryan: Patriots; Jason: Buffalo; Stephen: Buffalo

NY Jets @ Miami (-6) – Ryan: Dolphins; Jason: Dolphins; Stephen: Dolphins

Chicago @ Minnesota (-6.5) – Ryan: Bears; Jason: Bears; Stephen: Vikings

San Diego @ Kansas City (-2) – Ryan: Chargers; Jason: Chiefs; Stephen: Chargers

Philadelphia @ NY Giants (-1.5) – Ryan: Eagles; Jason: Eagles; Stephen: Giants

Dallas (-4.5) @ Washington – Ryan: Cowboys; Jason: Washington; Stephen: Cowboys

New Orleans (-4) @ Tampa Bay – Ryan: Saints; Jason: Saints; Stephen: Bucs

St. Louis @ Seattle (-12.5) – Ryan: Rams; Jason: Seahawks; Stephen: Seahawks

Arizona @ San Francisco (-6.5) – Ryan: 49ers; Jason: Cardinals; Stephen: 49ers

Oakland @ Denver (-14) – Ryan: Raiders; Jason: Broncos; Stephen: Broncos

Carolina @ Atlanta (-3) – Ryan: Falcons; Jason: Panthers; Stephen: Panthers

Detroit @ Green Bay (-7.5) – Ryan: Lions; Jason: Lions; Stephen: Packers

Cincinnati @ Pittsburgh (-3.5) – Ryan: Steelers; Jason: Bengals; Stephen: Steelers

Last Week
Ryan: 8-7-1 (forgot to pick Giants-Rams)
Jason: 6-10
Stephen: 7-9

Season
Ryan: 121-114-4
Stephen: 114-122-3
Jason: 109-125-5