NFL Playoff Picture – Pittsburgh and Indianapolis in Huge AFC Games

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Indianapolis Colts are in huge games that impact the NFL Playoffs this Sunday, January 2nd. The Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars could be in huge games that might impact the NFL Playoffs, but the biggest games are the Steelers versus the Cleveland Browns and the Colts versus the Tennessee Titans.

The New York Jets can do no better than the 5th seed in the playoffs even though they only have 5 losses on the season because the New England Patriots have secured the AFC East Division as well as homefield throughout the AFC Playoffs.

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Neither the KC vs. Oakland game nor the San Diego vs. Denver game will affect the NFL Playoff picture because the Chiefs have already won the AFC West. San Diego, a big NFL Preseason favorite to win the Super Bowl, has been eliminated from the playoffs for the first time since 2005.

NFL Playoff Implications: AFC Games for Week 17

Pittsburgh Steelers (11-4) at Cleveland Browns (5-10)

Where: Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

When: Jan. 2nd, 2011 at 1:00 pm EST

Analysis: If the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Cleveland Browns, then they will win the AFC North, secure the 2nd seed in the AFC Playoffs, and get a first round bye. That’s one of the NFL Playoff scenarios attached to this game on Sunday.

The other is that the Baltimore Ravens secure the AFC North, the 2nd seed in the AFC Playoffs, and get a first round bye with a Steelers’ loss and a victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. I actually believe that Pitt could get upset in their game versus the Browns on Sunday because Cleveland vs. Pitt is a classic rivalry.

Baltimore is no lock to beat Cincinnati either. Both the Ravens and Steelers are in NFL must win games on January 2nd, but the Steelers control their own destiny. A victory gives them the 2nd seed. A loss to the Browns could send them all the way to the 6th seed in the playoffs.

Tennessee Titans (6-9) at Indianapolis Colts (9-6)

Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

When: Jan. 2nd, 2011 at 4:15 pm EST

Analysis: Nobody believed that the NFL Preseason pick by many pigs skin handicappers to win the Super Bowl would be in a must win game versus the Tennessee Titans in Week 17. But that’s where the Colts find themselves after having a less than stellar season. Titans vs. Colts is a game with huge NFL playoff implications on Sunday.

If the Colts beat the Titans, then they’re in. If they lose, then they will need the Jacksonville Jaguars to lose versus the Houston Texans to secure the AFC South Division. I probably wouldn’t pencil in Peyton and Co. into the playoffs just yet. Indy is ranked 27th against the rush when allowing 132.1 yards per game.

They also barely beat Tennessee 30 to 28 the last time the two teams met and the Titans’ Chris Johnson rushed for 111 yards, a TD and a 5.0 average in that game. Jacksonville is no lock to beat Houston either. So, there’s a lot going on in the AFC South in Week 17.

NFL Playoff scenarios abound in Week 17! Log on and bet on the NFL!