TEAMS THAT ARE ELIMINATED FROM PLAYOFF CONTENTION

[Cincinnati Bengals (Chris)]

I know that this week is not quite over yet, and that stat corrections could come into play, but I've been very conservative on this, and therefore am resolute that the following teams have been eliminated from playoff contention:

Atlanta
Indianapolis (regardless of what happens Monday night)
Chicago
New England

In addition, the following teams will be eliminated with one more loss or by eight or more teams reaching the 6-win plateau in their conference. They are as follows:

AFC:
Oakland (if they lose this week's game)
Tennessee (if they lose this week's game)

NFC:
Tampa Bay
San Francisco
New York Giants

Also, provided that I have projected this week's results correctly, the following teams can clinch a playoff berth this week under the following criteria:

AFC:
Jacksonville (with one loss by either Cincinnati or Cleveland)

NFC:
New Orleans (with a win and/or if both of the following teams lose this week: Arizona and Green Bay)
Minnesota (with a win and/or if both of the following teams lose this week: Arizona and Green Bay)

New Orleans and Minnesota can also clinch a their divisions with a win this week.

I'll continue to update you all with these scenarios and seedings, as well as PRs.

[Buffalo Bills (Salvatore)]

What's going on with oak btw? Looked like he only had 3 offensive starts this week.

[Cincinnati Bengals (Chris)]

He and SF AND NE did not start a full lineup this week despite previous warnings. I'm handling it this week and giving them one last chance apiece. If it comes to pass again, they'll be replaced, no exceptions.

[Deleted]

I have contacted SF again, and have not heard back from him. At this point I don't think we should give him another chance. This is multiple times for him.

[Cincinnati Bengals (Chris)]

Either way, I only have one replacement in the wings right now, so it might be better to let it play out over the last three weeks instead of dumping that on LMs, especially with this week being the trade deadline. I know I won't have enough extra time to run another team until after playoff football is over, and the way the team I cover is playing, that might be a while. They missed the #1 seed by .1 points and host their first two games.

[Cincinnati Bengals (Chris)]

New Orleans has clinched a playoff spot. Jacksonville has also clinched a playoff spot by virtue of the CLE loss. I'll update you on the scenarios more this week.