The National Football League playoff scenarios can be daunting in their possibilities. We are still waiting to see if enough of the right teams win for the Los Angeles Rams today to have their victory last night clinch the NFC West Division title for them. They needed four of six teams to win, or at least three win if one tied, to eliminate the Seattle Seahawks.
How can that be?
Don’t ask. Just know it’s true.
By the way, two of the six teams have already won on the Rams hit list, that includes the Cincinnati Bengals yesterday and the Buffalo Bills earlier today. Now they are rooting for the Cleveland Browns, Minnesota Vikings and Washington Commanders today and tonight. If two of them don’t win, they can still clinch if the San Francisco 49ers upset the Detroit Lions tomorrow night.
I know I told you not to ask, but I was still compelled to tell you what without a longer explanation in why and how.
Now for simpler stuff.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers blew out the Carolina Panthers today giving them the edge in their NFC South Division race against the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons beat the Panthers twice this season in head-to-head games so for the Buccaneers to win the division they have to do it in games won. Their victory today gives them one more victory than the Falcons, nine to eight, and tonight the Falcons will look to recapture the tiebreaker edge with a triumph in Washington over the Commanders.
The Commanders have something to play for too.
They are on the cusp of a playoff berth and would need to lose tonight and next week to miss a postseason date. Washington closes out their regular season against the Dallas Cowboys at FedEx Field. If the Commanders do lose tonight, don’t you know the Cowboys, who got blown out today by the Philadelphia Eagles, would love to cap their disappointing season with a spear in the side of the Commanders playoff hopes.
Yep, more drama next week for sure. That includes the Denver Broncos, who after losing their last two games need a win next week, or Cincinnati Bengals loss, to earn a postseason berth. Who are the Broncos playing next Sunday?
The Kansas City Chiefs.
Sounds difficult?
It’s not.
If the Chiefs needed the game, it could be, but Kansas City locked down the top seed for the American Football Conference playoffs with their Christmas Day win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. With nothing to play for, Patrick Mahomes and company are likely not going to have what it takes to prevent Sean Payton’s squad from winning a playoff date.
Still, this is the Chiefs, and they are a team that breaks more rules and barriers than any squad in the NFL and are now looking to win a record setting third straight Super Bowl.
Okay, from all this confusion, let’s make one thing simple. The Falcons need this game tonight more than the Commanders in pursuit of a playoff berth. Washington is also coming off their dramatic win last week over the Philadelphia Eagles which is almost certain to have them experience a flat effort tonight.
Simple.
Finally, something simple.
Qoxhi Picks: Atlanta Falcons (+3½) over Washington Commanders