NFL Playoff Puzzle Pieces Fall Into Place: Wild-card Wars Shake Up The Bracket
With the conclusion of the NFL's regular season, the playoff picture has finally taken shape. The expansion to seven teams in each conference has added an extra layer of intrigue to the postseason, as several teams are vying for the final wild-card spots. Here's a look at the current standings and some of the key storylines to watch in the upcoming Wild-card Weekend:
AFC Playoff Picture
The Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals have locked up the top two seeds in the AFC, while the Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Jets have clinched the final two division titles. The remaining three playoff spots are up for grabs, with the Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, and Baltimore Ravens all holding a 9-8 record. The Bills currently hold the tiebreaker over the Dolphins and Ravens, so they would need to lose to the Bengals in Week 18 and have both the Dolphins and Ravens win to miss the playoffs.
NFC Playoff Picture
The Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers have clinched the top two seeds in the NFC, while the Minnesota Vikings and Tampa Bay Buccaneers have won their respective divisions. The remaining three playoff spots are up for grabs, with the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, and Washington Commanders all holding a 8-8 record. The Cowboys currently hold the tiebreaker over the Giants and Commanders, so they would need to lose to the Commanders in Week 18 and have both the Giants and Washington win to miss the playoffs.
Key Storylines to Watch
Here are some of the key storylines to watch in the upcoming Wild-card Weekend:
- Can the Jaguars continue their Cinderella run? The Jaguars have been one of the most surprising teams in the NFL this season, going from 3-14 last year to 9-8 this year. They will face the Chargers in the Wild-card Round, and a win would be one of the biggest upsets in recent playoff history.
- Will the Dolphins make the playoffs for the first time in six years? The Dolphins have been one of the hottest teams in the NFL since Tua Tagovailoa returned from injury, winning five of their last six games. They will face the Bills in the Wild-card Round, and a win would be a huge step forward for the franchise.
- Can the Ravens make a run with Lamar Jackson back? The Ravens have been struggling since Jackson went down with an injury, but they got a big boost when he returned to practice this week. If Jackson is healthy, the Ravens could be a dangerous team in the playoffs.
- Will the Cowboys miss the playoffs for the second straight year? The Cowboys have been one of the most disappointing teams in the NFL this season, and they need to win their final game against the Commanders to have a chance at making the playoffs. If they lose, they will miss the playoffs for the second straight year.
Conclusion
The NFL playoffs are always full of surprises, and this year's Wild-card Weekend is sure to be no different. With several teams vying for the final playoff spots, there are sure to be plenty of exciting games and storylines to follow. Be sure to tune in and watch all the action!
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NFL Playoff Puzzle Pieces Fall Into Place: Wild-card Wars Shake Up The Bracket