Week 16 - Monday

'62 Green Bay vs. '75 Minnesota

The Packers travelled to Minnesota for a divisional game to see if the Vikings could put any dent in the Packers' armor, and boost their own playoff shots.

They started out great, scoring a FG early in the game against the Packers. On the following kick return, however, Adderly would take the ball from the 25 and find his way into the end zone after some spectacular Green Bay blocks. Packers up 7-3.

After a few more 3-and-out scenarios, Taylor, who did not have as explosive a game as usual, did find his way into the end zone after Green Bay acquired some good field position. With a 14-3 lead, the Vikings offense continued working on the Packers, settling for another FG to go down 14-6 at 2nd quarter.

With a scoreless 2nd quarter, it was clear this game belonged to whomever could get a score. But as both defenses tried to stop the other team, it was the Packers who succeeded in a 2nd half shutout of the Vikings. They would put up 3 FG's of their own, increasing their lead. Green Bay wins 23-6. 

All things considered, the Minnesota defense did a decent job. It was their offense, just totaling 87 yards all game, that just couldn't find a way past the Packers. They converted 3rd downs just twice out 15 attempts, and only had 24 minutes possession. In addition, they were flagged 13 times all game, costing them over 100 yards. Just as poor a showing as we've seen from them all year.

Green Bay, on the other hand, had 117 yards passing and 125 rushing. Taylore and Moore split most of the rushing yards, and Starr split efforts with his receivers fairly well to boot. There were no high averages or completion %'s, but it got the job done against a tremendous defense.

Green Bay now ties Jacksonville's 7 game win streak, but with a 10-1 record against the conference, continues to show why they're the team to beat this year.

Playoffs Look

Now that I've had some time to process where different teams stand in the event of "tied" records (a guarantee at this point), I'm ready to dish out details on the playoff scenario, assuming I have everything right here. I have a playoff bracket ready but will wait to share until next week when I can firm up the final spots.

AFC
  • AFC East: the winner of Miami vs. New England will be champs
    • If it's MIA, NE is the wildcard team with #6 seed
      • They would edge out NYJ in the division with their 2 wins over them
      • They would lose #5 seeding to HOU/JAX, who have much better strength-of-victory
    • If it's NE, MIA is out and NYJ are the wildcard team
      • With a Jets win, the Jets end up 2nd in the division 
        • If HOU + JAX also win, the Jets are a #6 seed (JAX would be the #5)
        • If either HOU or JAX loses, NYJ are a #5 seed (the losing team between HOU/JAX would be the #6 seed)
      • With a NYJ loss:
        • MIA and NYJ would be tied for the division
        • They will also be tied for Conference record
        • Strength of victory would go to the NYJ
  • AFC South
    • If HOU beats TN, and JAX loses to the Ravens, HOU gets the AFC South and #1 seed in the AFC. #2 seed goes to AFC East Champs
    • If HOU loses to TN and JAX beats Ravens, JAX gets the AFC South and #1 seed in the AFC. #2 seed goes to AFC East Champs
    • If both teams win (or lose), the Texans get the AFC South (Houston has an edge with strength-of-victory).
      • Texans would be the #1 seed with a win and #2 seed with a loss
      • The winner of the AFC East would be #2 with a HOU win and #1 with a HOU loss
  • AFC West: The '74 Oakland Raiders are champs and the #3 seed
  • AFC North: The winner of Ravens vs. Steelers will be champs and the #4 seed
NFC
  • NFC North: '62 Packers are the champs and #1 seed
  • NFC South + West: 
    • Any win by Atlanta puts them as the #2 seed and Seattle as #3 seed (Falcons have head-to-head wins over Seahawks)
    • If Seattle wins and Atlanta loses, Seattle is the #2 seed and Atlanta is #3 seed
  • NFC East:
    • If WAS wins and PHI loses, WAS gets NFC East and #4 seed
    • Otherwise, a PHI win gives Eagles NFC East and #4 seed (based on strength of victory)
    • Any loss by WAS puts them out of #6 seeding unless, as the winner of AZ-LA would have a better record
  • #5 seed: AZ and LA are both 9-6 and have a head-to-head matchup, so winner gets this
  • #6 seed: Favors loser of AZ and LA. Depends on the following:
    • Either team would tie records with any winners among CHI and CAR
    • If both CAR and CHI lose, the loser of AZ or LA grabs the spot regardless
    • CHI would be out regardless
      • They have no head-to-head matchups with these teams
      • They have the lowest conference record 
      • The have the lowest strength-of-victory
    • If AZ loses, they still have a 7-5 conference record and grab the spot
    • If LA loses, they have a 6-6 conference record.
      • This would tie with CAR (again, assuming a win)
      • However, CAR has beaten LA and would get #6 seed

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