Many of the NFL’s playoff races are nonetheless large open going into Week 17 of the season, and 24 groups have already clinched a playoff spot or nonetheless have a mathematical probability of constructing the postseason.
As famous by Troy Vincent, that quantity is tied for probably the most groups nonetheless playoff eligible with two weeks remaining over the previous 20 years.
There are solely eight groups which have been mathematically eradicated going into Week 17. That record contains the New York Jets, Tennessee Titans, Los Angeles Chargers, New England Patriots, New York Giants, Washington Commanders, Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers.
The one groups which have clinched a playoff spot are the San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens, Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys.
The NFC West (San Francisco) and NFC North (Detroit) are the one divisions which have been clinched.
All of meaning there are nonetheless 18 groups combating for the eight remaining playoff spots which can be nonetheless up for grabs.
There are two vital issues to remember about these numbers. The primary is that that is merely the product of the league including two groups to the postseason combine a few years in the past. Extra playoff groups means extra squads which have an opportunity to qualify.
The second is that that is what the NFL needs to see and the way in which the league is designed to run. The NFL needs parity, competitors and as many fan bases as doable believing they’ve an opportunity each week to ultimately be a Tremendous Bowl contender.
Critics may argue that it makes the standard of the league extra mediocre and cuts down on the variety of nice groups. There may be some reality to that, as there aren’t many persistently dominant groups within the league, however there are additionally not lots of actually terrible groups that do not have an opportunity. It additionally permits lesser groups to show themselves round shortly and have an opportunity to get into the postseason.