NFL Playoff Fixtures Confirmed

The number of varying connotations and outcomes from the Week 17 games was mind boggling.  With only three playoff berths available coming into the weekend, there were still divisional titles to play for and home field advantage to compete for.

Now that all games have been completed, the dust has now settled and the playoff fixtures confirmed.  Here's a simplified look at who will face who in the post-season, starting in the NFC:

• Green Bay Packers win the NFC North and earn a first round bye and secure home advantage as number 1 seeds.
• San Francisco secured the NFC West title and will be 2nd seeds and so have earned a first round bye and home field advantage.
• The 4th seeded New York Giants beat the Dallas Cowboys to win the NFC East and will play the 5th seeded Atlanta Falcons in the first round.
• 3rd seeded New Orleans Saints smashed Carolina to win the NFC South and will face Detroit Lions in the first round, despite the Lions losing to the Packers. 
• The Lions are through as 6th seeds after the Falcons beat Tampa Bay.

The NY Giants beat the Cowboys to secure final playoff spot

In the AFC:

• The New England Patriots thumped the Buffalo Bills after being 21-0 down to grab the number 1 seed in the AFC, a first round bye and home field advantage.
• The Baltimore Ravens clinched the No.2 seed and the AFC North title with a win over the Cincinnati Bengals.  They also get home field advantage where they are 8-0 in the regular season at the M&T Bank Stadium.
• The Denver Broncos won the AFC West title and with it secured the 4th seed despite losing to te Kansas City Chiefs all because Oakland Raiders lost to the San Diego Chargers.
• The Houston Texans lost to the Tennessee Titans in Week 17, but had already secured the AFC South title and are seeded 3rd.
• The Pittsburgh Steelers secured the 5th seed place with a win over the Cleveland Browns but lost out on the AFC North title as Baltimore won and will play Tim Tebow and the Broncos in the first round.
• Cincinnati Bengals have secured the final 6th seed berth despite losing and will face the Texans.

In each division, the lowest ranked first round winner will face the number 1 seeded teams (Packers or Patriots) and the highest ranked winner from the first round will face the second seeded teams (49ers or Ravens).

So there it is.  Easy.