Week 16, although still incomplete, has brought a bit of clarity to the playoff picture in the NFL. A number of spots were locked up yesterday, and here's where we stand:
The New England Patriots have clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC, giving them a first round bye week and ensures that they will play only home games until the Super Bowl - should they advance.
The Baltimore Ravens clinched at least a Wild Card berth in the AFC. If the Ravens win in Week 17 and the Steelers lose, the Ravens will be the No. 2 seed in the AFC. If the Steelers win in Week 17, Pittsburgh will earn the bye week and No. 2 seed.
The New York Jets, thanks to the loss by the Jacksonville Jaguars, clinched a Wild Card berth.
The Kansas City Chiefs clinched the AFC West with their win and San Diego's loss to Cincinnati.
If the Colts win in Week 17, they will be the AFC South champions. If Indianapolis loses and Jacksonville wins, the Jaguars will be the AFC South champions.
The NFC picture is after the jump.
The NFC is less clear than the AFC; only three spots in the NFC are officially clinched. The Atlanta Falcons have clinched a playoff spot, and if they win either tonight or next week, they will be the No. 1 seed.
The Philadelphia Eagles and Chicago Bears have both clinched their division crowns. The Bears are currently in line for the No. 2 seed thanks to the head-to-head win over Philadelphia. If the Bears win in Week 17, they will be the No. 2 seed. If the Eagles win and Bears lose, the Eagles will be the No. 2 seed.
The New Orleans Saints need to win either in Week 16 or Week 17 to clinch a Wild Card berth. If they win in both Week 16 and 17 and the Atlanta Falcons lose in Week 17, the Saints will win the NFC South.
The St. Louis Rams and Seattle Seahawks will play next Sunday night to determine the winner of the NFC West. The winner will be the division champion and host a game on Wild Card weekend.
The Green Bay Packers currently hold the No. 6 seed in the NFC thanks to their thrashing of the Giants on Sunday. Green Bay needs to defeat Chicago to clinch the spot - or have the Giants and Buccaneers lose. The Giants need to win and have the Packers lose while the Bucs need to win in Week 17 and have both the Giants and Packers lose to make the playoffs.
Simple, right?