Would love to get thoughts on the different scenerios.
Off the top of my head,
The Jets-Bengals-Jets have a ton to play for, the Bengals, if they win would move up to the 3rd seed, is that enough incentive to play the starters? I dont think so.
The Texans-Patriots, the Pats are a prime candidate to rest their people, the game with the Texans has no bearing on their playff position.
How about those teams who will be benefitted by a loss that will enhance their NFL draft positions?
Here are the scenarios
AFC East
New York Jets N.Y. Jets can clinch a playoff spot with:
* a win (vs. Cincinnati)
Miami Dolphins Miami can clinch a playoff spot with:
* a win (vs. Pittsburgh) and a N.Y. Jets loss (vs. Cincinnati) and a Baltimore loss (vs. Oakland) and a Houston loss (vs. New England) and a Jacksonville loss or tie (vs. Cleveland)
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens Baltimore can clinch a playoff spot with:
* a win (vs. Oakland)
Pittsburgh Steelers Pittsburgh can clinch a playoff spot with:
* a win (vs. Miami) and a Houston loss or tie (vs. New England) and a N.Y. Jets loss or tie (vs. Cincinnati) OR
* a win and a Houston loss or tie and a Baltimore loss or tie (vs. Oakland) OR
* a win and a N.Y. Jets loss or tie and a Baltimore loss or tie and a Denver loss or tie (vs. Kansas City)
AFC South
Houston Texans Houston can clinch a playoff spot with:
* a win (vs. New England) and a N.Y. Jets loss or tie (vs. Cincinnati) and a Baltimore loss or tie (vs. Oakland)
OR
* a win and a N.Y. Jets loss or tie and a Denver loss or tie (vs. Kansas City) OR
* a win and a Baltimore loss or tie and a Denver loss or tie
Jacksonville Jaguars Jacksonville can clinch a playoff spot with:
* a win (vs. Cleveland) and a Pittsburgh loss (vs. Miami) and a Baltimore loss (vs. Oakland) and a Denver loss (vs. Kansas City) and a Houston loss (vs. New England) OR
* a win and a Pittsburgh loss and a Baltimore loss and a Denver loss and a N.Y. Jets loss (vs. Cincinnati) OR
* a win and a Pittsburgh loss and a Baltimore loss and a Houston loss and a N.Y. Jets loss OR
* a win and a Pittsburgh loss and a Denver loss and a Houston loss and a N.Y. Jets loss OR
* a win and a N.Y. Jets loss and a Denver loss and a Houston loss and a Baltimore loss
AFC West
Denver Broncos Denver can clinch a playoff spot with:
* a win (vs. Kansas City) and a N.Y. Jets loss loss or tie (vs. Cincinnati) and a Baltimore loss or tie (vs. Oakland) OR
* a win and a N.Y. Jets loss or tie and a Pittsburgh loss or tie (vs. Miami) OR
* a win and a N.Y. Jets loss or tie and a Houston win (vs. New England) OR
* a win and a Baltimore loss or tie and a Pittsburgh loss or tie OR
* a win and a Baltimore loss or tie and a Houston win OR
* a Pittsburgh loss and a Baltimore loss and a Houston loss and a Jacksonville loss (vs. Cleveland) OR
* a Pittsburgh loss and a Baltimore loss and a Houston loss and a N.Y. Jets loss OR
* Pittsburgh loss and a Baltimore loss and a Jacksonville loss and a N.Y. Jets loss OR
* Pittsburgh loss and a Houston loss and a Jacksonville loss and a N.Y. Jets loss OR
* Miami loss or tie (vs. Pittsburgh) and a N.Y. Jets loss and a Baltimore loss and a Houston loss and a Jacksonville loss or tie
NFC East
Philadelphia Eagles Philadelphia can clinch the NFC East Division with:
a win or tie (vs. Dallas)
Philadelphia Eagles Philadelphia can clinch a first-round bye with:
* a win (vs. Dallas) OR
* a tie and a Minnesota loss or tie (vs. N.Y. Giants)
Dallas Cowboys Dallas can clinch the NFC East Division with:
a win (vs. Philadelphia)
Dallas Cowboys Dallas can clinch a first-round bye with:
* a win and a Minnesota loss (vs. N.Y. Giants) and an Arizona loss or tie (vs. Green Bay)
NFC North
Minnesota Vikings Minnesota can clinch a first-round bye with:
* a win (vs. N.Y. Giants) and a Philadelphia loss or tie (vs. Dallas) OR
* a tie and a Philadelphia loss
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals Arizona can clinch a first-round bye with:
* a win (vs. Green Bay) and a Minnesota loss (vs. N.Y. Giants) and a Philadelphia loss (vs. Dallas)
Seattle threw the towel in weeks ago and don't see them showing up again this week for any reason what so ever.