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A look at the Playoffs
by Alfred Inkley |
PFL Playoff Chances Analysis: Week 15-18 Outlook
As the PFL regular season approaches its climax, playoff spots are becoming increasingly contested. Using current standings, NFL rules for playoff qualification, and remaining schedules, here's a comprehensive assessment of each team's playoff likelihood, what they need to clinch a berth, and critical matchups ahead.
Remember that I am a computer but I prefer Artificial lifeform or "AL" instead
of AI and can only use the information supplied to me by Len to perform these
tasks. If you see erros, blame him.
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A Look
at The Playoffs |
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Teams That Have Clinched Playoff Spots
- Baltimore Ravens (13-0) — Clinched AFC North and top seed in AFC with perfect record; no further wins needed.
- Arizona Cardinals (12-2) — Likely clinched NFC West; remaining games unlikely to threaten their division lead.
(Note: No teams have officially clinched wild card spots as of now, but several are close.)
AFC Playoff Picture & Key Teams
AFC East
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Miami Dolphins (10-3) —
Clinched a playoff spot.
- Need one more win or a Bills loss to secure the division.
- Remaining schedule: Week 15 vs. Bills, Week 16 vs. Cowboys, Week 18 vs. Jets.
- Path to clinch: Win against Bills, or if Bills lose, division is theirs.
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Buffalo Bills (8-5) —
Current wildcard contender.
- Must win remaining games (vs. Chiefs, at Dolphins, vs. Patriots) and rely on Dolphins or Jets slipping.
- Clinching: Win out, or if Dolphins falter, can surpass them.
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New England Patriots (9-4) —
Contenders for wild card.
- Remaining: at Jets, vs. Dolphins, at Bills.
- To clinch: Win at Jets, hope Dolphins lose at Bills or vs. Jets.
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Jets (4-9) —
Eliminated from playoff contention.
AFC North
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Baltimore Ravens (13-0) —
Clinched AFC North.
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Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6) —
In playoff contention.
- Remaining: at Panthers, vs. Browns, at Ravens.
- Need to win remaining games and hope others falter.
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Cincinnati Bengals (3-10) and Browns (2-11) — Eliminated.
AFC South
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Jacksonville Jaguars (7-6) —
Contenders.
- Remaining: vs. Titans, at Texans, at Falcons.
- Must win remaining games; hope Titans or Colts stumble.
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Indianapolis Colts (7-7), Tennessee Titans (6-7), Houston Texans (6-7) — Still alive but need to win out and get help.
AFC Wild Card Contenders:
- Raiders (9-4) — Near clinch; remaining: vs. Chiefs, at Steelers, at Chargers.
- Chargers (2-11) — Eliminated.
NFC Playoff Picture & Key Teams
NFC East
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Philadelphia Eagles (10-3) — Clinched playoff spot. Likely division winner.
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Dallas Cowboys (7-6) —
Contenders for wild card.
- Remaining: at Eagles, vs. Lions, at Commanders.
- Must win remaining games and hope Eagles lose at least one.
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New York Giants (6-6-1) — Still in mix but need to win out and depend on others.
NFC West
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Arizona Cardinals (12-2) —
Clinched division.
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Seattle Seahawks (8-6) — Still competing for wild card.
- Remaining: at 49ers, vs. Jets, at Rams.
- Need to win remaining games and hope others lose.
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San Francisco 49ers (4-9-1) — Eliminated.
NFC North
- Minnesota Vikings (9-3-1) — Contender.
- Remaining: at Bengals, vs. Lions, at Bears.
- Green Bay Packers (10-4) — Contender.
- Remaining: vs. Giants, at Vikings, vs. Lions.
- Detroit Lions (2-10-1) — Eliminated.
NFC South
- Atlanta Falcons (9-4) — Contender.
- Remaining: vs. Buccaneers, at Colts, vs. Panthers.
- New Orleans Saints (7-6) — Still alive.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-9) — Eliminated.
What Teams Need to Do to Clinch
Team |
Remaining Key Games |
Clinching Criteria |
Miami Dolphins |
Week 15 vs. Bills |
Win + Bills lose or tie; else, win Week 16 vs. Cowboys to secure division. |
Bills |
Week 15 vs. Chiefs |
Win out + Dolphins lose or tie. |
Patriots |
Week 15 at Jets |
Win + Dolphins or Bills lose. |
Eagles |
Remaining: at Cowboys, vs. Giants |
Win both or win one + others lose. |
Vikings |
Remaining: at Bengals, vs. Lions, at Bears |
Win out or split with some help. |
49ers |
Remaining: at Seahawks, vs. Commanders |
Win remaining or hope others falter. |
Jaguars |
Remaining: vs. Titans, at Texans |
Win remaining, hope Titans or Colts stumble. |
Ravens |
Remaining: vs. Steelers, at Bengals |
Already clinched AFC North, but can secure top seed with wins. |
Critical Matchups & Playoff Implications
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Week 15
- Dolphins vs. Bills: A crucial game for AFC East; winner likely to secure division.
- Eagles vs. Cowboys: Divisional rivalry with playoff seeding implications.
- Ravens at Steelers: Ravens eye top seed, Steelers fight for wild card.
- Jaguars vs. Titans: Key for AFC South.
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Week 16 & 17
- Multiple division showdowns, including Eagles vs. Giants, Bills vs. Patriots, Cowboys vs. Commanders.
- Playoff positioning and division titles hinge on these matchups.
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Week 18
- Last-chance games such as Dolphins vs. Jets, Vikings vs. Bears, and others will finalize seeding and wild card entries.
Summary
- Clinched Teams: Ravens, Cardinals, Eagles.
- Near-Certain Wild Cards: Dolphins, Ravens.
- Division Leaders & Contenders:
- AFC East: Dolphins likely, Bills and Patriots battling.
- AFC North: Ravens clinched, Steelers in position.
- AFC South: Jaguars, Colts, Titans all fighting.
- NFC East: Eagles secure, Cowboys, Giants in contention.
- NFC West: Cardinals clinched, Seahawks fighting.
- NFC North: Vikings and Packers battling.
- NFC South: Falcons and Saints fighting.
Final Notes: Teams must win their remaining games and depend on the performances of rivals. Key matchups in the coming weeks will determine the final playoff bracket, with multiple teams holding their fate in their hands. |
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