Getty Drew Brees and Michael Thomas of the New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints have plenty to play for in the final week of the season, but will need some help if they want one of the top two seeds in the NFC.
The Saints (12-3) face the the Carolina Panthers (5-10) in their season finale on Sunday and are favored by double-digits. New Orleans is locked into a playoff spot as the division winner of the NFC South, but will need help from the 49ers and Packers if they want to move up to earn a bye or even home field.
Here’s the playoff scenario for the Saints:
- Clinch first-round bye with: Win and Green Bay loss or tie, OR/ Win and San Francisco loss or tie/Tie and Green Bay loss/Tie and San Francisco loss/San Francisco loss and Green Bay win or tie
- Clinch home field advantage throughout NFC playoffs with:
Win and Green Bay loss or tie and San Francisco loss or tie/Tie and Green Bay loss and San Francisco loss
”I don’t think this is a long shot, what we need (to happen) this week,” Saints head coach Sean Payton told reporters this week. “We’re full speed ahead, winning this game.”
Saints Were First to Clinch Playoff Spot
The Saints were bounced from the playoffs last year by the Rams in a game that will be remembered for a controversial no-call on an obvious pass interference penalty.
New Orleans was the first team to clinch a playoff berth, knocking of the Falcons on Thanksgiving Day.
“This was objective No. 1, obviously: win the division,” Saints quarterback Drew Brees told reporters after the victory. “But I think you know our mindset and the group of guys we have in there and just kind of how we’ve progressed each and every year. We’ve got bigger fish to fry, so to speak.”
NFC Playoff Picture: Lots Left to Sort Out in Week 17
As is evident through the Saints situation, much is still lots to be worked out in Week 17, including some division winners.
Here is a look at the NFC playoff picture.
- CLINCHED
Green Bay — NFC North division
New Orleans — NFC South division
Minnesota — playoff berth
San Francisco — playoff berth
Seattle — playoff berth - DALLAS (vs. Washington)
Clinches NFC East with:
Win and Philadelphia loss - GREEN BAY (at Detroit)
Clinches first-round bye with:
Win/New Orleans loss/Tie and San Francisco loss/Tie and New Orleans tie
Clinches home field advantage throughout NFC playoffs with:
Win and San Francisco loss or tie/Tie and San Francisco loss and New Orleans loss or tie - PHILADELPHIA (at N.Y. Giants)
Clinches NFC East with:
Win or tie/Dallas loss or tie - SAN FRANCISCO (at Seattle)
Clinches NFC West with:
Win or tie - Clinches first-round bye with:
Win/Tie and Green Bay loss or tie/Tie and New Orleans loss or tie - Clinches home field advantage throughout NFC playoffs with:
Win/Tie and Green Bay loss or tie and New Orleans loss or tie - SEATTLE (vs. San Francisco)
Clinches NFC West with:
Win - Clinches first-round bye with:
Win and Green Bay loss - Clinches home field advantage throughout NFC playoffs with:
Win and Green Bay loss and New Orleans loss
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