NFL Playoff Scenarios: Teams That Must Win To Secure Needed Home Field

These teams are all in the playoffs, but they are desperate for a Week 17 win nonetheless. They all sit precariously on the edge of seeding. 

Attaining that higher seeding is paramount to all of these teams. 

New England Patriots

Week 17 Opponent: Bills

Seeding Implications 

The Patriots have a one-game lead for the No. 1 seed in the AFC. If they lose and either or both the Steelers and Ravens win, New England will fall to the No. 2 seed.

Why They Need Home Field

New England relies on offense to win games. Their defense is terrible. It is going to be far easier for their offense to function at home than on the road. 

Rabid crowd noise makes it harder for offenses to function. Tom Brady loves to make adjustments at the line. This is far more difficult when the stadium is rocking with deafening cheers.

The Patriots played in Pittsburgh earlier this season and managed just 17 points in a loss. The outcome would be similar if they had to travel to Pittsburgh or Baltimore for the AFC Championship Game.  

San Francisco 49ers

Week 17 Opponent: at Rams

Seeding Implications 

If San Francisco wins, they are the No. 2 seed. If they lose and New Orleans beats the Panthers, then they are the No. 3 seed. 

Why They Need Home Field

Losing the No. 2 seed would force the 49ers to play in the first round and host either the Falcons or the Lions. That is certainly not ideal or without inherent danger, but it is not the biggest problem for the 49ers. 

What would really kill them in this scenario is that they would be forced to travel to take on a Saints team coming off the bye. 

The 49ers need to play the aerially prolific Saints on the slower turf of their home stadium. They will not be able to survive getting into a shootout with the Saints, and it will be far easier for them to slow down Drew Brees and company on their home turf. 

Pittsburgh Steelers

Week 17 Opponent: at Browns

Seeding Implications 

The Steelers have to win and the Ravens lose to win the AFC North and secure at least the No. 2 seed. 

Why They Need Home Field

The biggest reason the Steelers need to win the North is so that they can get an extra week off to allow Ben Roethlisberger's injured ankle to heal. 

They will not be able to win the Super Bowl if he is less than 100 percent. 

That said, home-field advantage will be a big boost as well. They need every edge they can get against a Ravens team that has beaten them twice this season.