NFL Playoff Picture Week 16: AFC, NFC Scenarios Ahead of Sunday's Games

Week 16 got off to a good start with an Oakland Raiders overtime victory against the San Diego Chargers in what could have been the final game played in O.co Coliseum.

While that was a good one, the outcome didn't affect the AFC playoff picture. However, a game Saturday night in the NFC certainly did.

Washington's 38-24 division-clinching victory over the Philadelphia Eagles eliminated the Eagles and New York Giants from playoff contention. 

With a slate of 13 games Sunday—and one Monday night—there is plenty more to be decided when it comes to the playoff picture in both conferences.

Let's take a look at how the current playoff matchups look and how some possible Week 16 outcomes could shape the playoff picture heading into the final week of the season:

Seed	AFC	NFC
1	New England 12-2	Carolina Panthers 14-0
2	Cincinnati Bengals 11-3	Arizona Cardinals 12-2
3	Denver Broncos 10-4	Green Bay Packers 10-4
4	Houston Texans 7-7	Washington 8-7
5	Kansas City Chiefs 9-5	Seattle Seahawks 9-5
6	Pittsburgh Steelers 9-5	Minnesota Vikings 9-5
Still in the hunt	New York Jets 9-5	Atlanta Falcons 7-7
Still in the hunt	Indianapolis Colts 6-8
Still in the hunt	Jacksonville Jaguars 5-9

Playoff Matchups as of Dec. 26

AFC

1. New England Patriots — Bye
2. Cincinnati Bengals — Bye
3. Denver Broncos vs. (6) Pittsburgh Steelers
4. Houston Texans vs. (5) Kansas City Chiefs

NFC

1. Carolina Panthers — Bye
2. Arizona Cardinals — Bye
3. Green Bay Packers vs. (6) Minnesota Vikings
4. Washington vs. (5) Seattle Seahawks 

Win Over Division Rival Is a Must for Jets

The New York Jets have the same 9-5 record as current wild-card teams the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers but are on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoffs.

The Jets are the odd team out due to not holding any tiebreakers against the Chiefs and Steelers. If they want to keep pace, wins are essential in the final two weeks of the season. The problem for head coach Todd Bowles and New York is their Week 16 opponent is none other than the AFC No. 1 seed, the New England Patriots.

Tom Brady and Co. have won nine of the past 10 matchups against the Jets, which caused New York offensive lineman Willie Colon to admit defeat after a 30-23 loss to the Patriots in Week 7, per the Associated Press. "I feel like we had them," Colon said. "I feel like we were the better team out there, but obviously we were not. ... They beat us fair and square."

New England has dealt with numerous injuries to key starters on both sides of the ball, but it is still 12-2 and playing for the top seed in the AFC. The Jets though have won four in a row and need to treat this as if it's a playoff game. New York linebacker Calvin Pace is doing just that, although he hinted playing New England is not an extra incentive, per ESPN.com:

"It's a big game because it's the next game," Pace said. "You want to be playing significant games in December. We've done a good job of putting ourselves in position to do that. Now, it's just about capitalizing."

He also joked about hoping not to face Brady, who has thrown 20 touchdowns and three interceptions the past 10 games against New York, per ESPN.com. "Hopefully, he gets traded at some point in time. Trade him to the NFC somewhere. He's done it well and done it at a high level for a long time."

That might be what it takes for the Jets to beat the highest-scoring AFC team, one that also only yields 19.2 points per game.

Prediction: New England wins 28-24.

Atlanta Has Shot at Ending Panthers' Perfect Season

The 14-0 Carolina Panthers don't look like a team that is about to lose its first game, but the hungry Atlanta Falcons might have their opponent right where they want them.

Atlanta ended a six-game losing streak in Week 15 with a road victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars to move to 7-7, keeping its slim hopes alive for a wild-card spot as it trails the Minnesota Vikings by two games.

Carolina, on the other hand, has a huge target on its back and is coming off an exhausting 38-35 victory over the New York Giants. The Panthers blew a 35-7 halftime lead before kicking the game-winning field goal as time expired.

Cornerback Josh Norman and New York wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. went at it all game. Their scrap ended with a Beckham one-game suspension after he collected three unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and a fine for the cornerback who had a facemask penalty and was caught head-butting an opposing player.

Only one team has ever finished the regular season 16-0, and in the NFL, many games are separated by just a few plays that go one way or the other. Yet, if history says anything, an Atlanta win is not likely after suffering five losses in the past six games against Carolina, per the NFL:

The Panthers, however, will be without starting running back Jonathan Stewart, who sprained his foot. Atlanta will likely be without backup running back Tevin Coleman, who suffered a concussion after falling in the shower, but the bigger blow is Stewart, who has rushed for 989 yards and six touchdowns.

Quarterback Cam Newton is playing out of his mind for Carolina with 18 touchdowns and one interception over the past five games, but Atlanta features some good athletes on the field as well. 

Veteran quarterback Matt Ryan will be throwing to Julio Jones, who leads the NFC in receptions (118) and receiving yards (1,154). Running back Devonta Freeman is tied for the NFL lead in rushing touchdowns with 10, and he snapped a six-game scoreless streak in Week 15 with 56 yards and a touchdown against the Jaguars.

In the end, the Panthers' talent should enable them to win and improve to 15-0, but the Falcons are at home and desperate, a combination that will keep the game close.

Prediction: Carolina wins 24-21.

Denver's Playoff Chances Suddenly Not So Certain

Thirteen weeks into the NFL season it was only a matter of when, not if, the Denver Broncos would take the AFC West title. Despite playing without starting quarterback Peyton Manning the previous three games, Denver was 10-2 and held a three-game lead on the Chiefs in the West.

Two weeks later and heading into Week 16, Denver is 10-4 and just one game ahead of a Kansas City team that has won eight in a row.

Brock Osweiler is slated to make his sixth straight start under center on Monday Night Football against the 11-3 Cincinnati Bengals. He has been up-and-down for the Broncos, winning his first three starts before dropping his last two. The fourth-year career backup is ready for the challenge against the Bengals, coming off a tough Week 15 loss to Pittsburgh where the team failed to score a point after halftime, per ESPN.com.

"It starts with me, and I need to play better in the second half, and I will play better in the second half," Osweiler said. "I'm judging my performances right now by wins and losses. Bottom line: I know I've got to get a win."

He better get a win to hold off the Chiefs, who host the lowly Cleveland Browns in Week 16. A loss coupled with a Kansas City victory would actually move the Chiefs into first place and the Broncos into the wild-card race.

One good thing for Denver is the fact Cincinnati is banged up and will be without two of its playmakers in quarterback Andy Dalton and tight end Tyler Eifert, per the Broncos on Twitter:

Injuries are part of the game for any team, especially at this point in the season, but the ones the Bengals are dealing with will make it hard for them to win on the road against one of the top defenses in the league.

The Broncos will win and keep their AFC West lead, although as Osweiler said, they'll have to play well for all four quarters to make it happen.

Prediction: Denver wins 17-13.