Numbers Time: Fuck the Buccs, Apparently

THESE GAMES DON'T MATTER:

ON SATURDAYS, WE N.F.C.

Screw drama. The NFL has decided to get the NFC in proper order before Sunday even starts. Let’s start in order of the Saturday games.

All season, this division has been Tampa’s to lose and with a loss this past week Carolina gave them one last chance to grab it. The winner of this game wins the division and the #4 spot. Unless...

With Atlanta’s surprise win on Monday night, the Falcons are in a position to knock out the Buccs with one more win. This means there’s a scenario where Tampa pulls an upset on Saturday then has to wait until Sunday to see if they’re in. Regardless, if the Panthers make it in with a loss or the Buccs with a win, they'd finish with a losing 8-9 record. That makes the #5 spot against them the most coveted spot in the bracket.

That spot could be held by the loser of this game. Personally, I would have saved this game for Sunday prime time, with the top seed on the line, but at least it has one of the prime slots. The winner of this game gets the top seed and the first round bye. Seahawks automatically get #5 with a loss. Niners need the Rams to lose to another shitty team, or else they drop to #6.

The only other thing up for grabs on Sunday is #2. Even without Jordan Love, the #7 Packers are looking pretty tough to beat. Chicago controls #2, but they drop to #3 with a loss and a Philly win.

AS CLOSE AS THE A.F.C. GETS

I really do not understand why the Sunday prime time game is Steelers/Ravens. Unlike Seahawks/Niners, the outcome of this game really only affects Baltimore and Pittsburgh.

The entire rest of the AFC bracket is separated by 2 wins, making every other spot entirely up for grabs. The AFC North belongs to the winner of this game, and either way, they’re going to be the team everyone wants to face. The loser gets eliminated.

The early Sunday games will be all about who wins the AFC South. The Texans could win the division and hold #3 or drop to #7 with a loss. With a win AND a loss by Denver AND New England, Jags could climb all the way to #1.

Denver could hold #1 with a loss of Pats AND Jags also lose. Pats also have a chance at the top spot with a win and a Broncos loss. The Chargers will be doing everything they can to hold the coveted #5 spot against the AFC North winner. They need Houston and Jacksonville to both lose, but there’s a chance. Even Buffalo has a shot at #5 if everyone else loses (or if Jax loses and Houston wins the division)