The playoff picture both in the NFL and NCAA are beginning to take shape. This weekend told us a lot about who we’re going to see play in January. So let’s break that down.

The CFB Committee should have a clear idea of who the top 4 will be

Alabama took what will be a season-ending loss to Auburn in the Iron Bowl. The Crimson Tide have been one of the four teams selected for the playoff since the system was implemented in 2014, however with two losses it’s hard to see how they can be considered this year.

Three spots in this year’s playoff have all but been confirmed with Ohio State, LSU and Clemson booking their tickets to a semifinal game. The fourth spot will come down to two teams: Georgia and Utah. As for who will get in I think it will be pretty simple. If Georgia can take down LSU in the SEC Championship game they will get in and doing so could bump LSU down to the 4th-seed. However, if Georgia loses to LSU then it’s Utah’s spot to claim IF they can beat Oregon in the PAC-12 Championship. Utah is getting the short end of the straw here but their loss to USC earlier in the season isn’t helping their case. But with a LSU win over Georgia more than likely their fate remains in their hands.

Assuming that Ohio State takes care of Wisconsin the Big 10 Championship and Clemson beats Virginia in the ACC Championship here’s how I imagine the rankings will look like.

If Georgia beats LSU: 1. Ohio State, 2. Clemson 3. Georgia 4. LSU

If LSU beats Georgia and Utah beats Oregon: 1. LSU, 2. Ohio State, 3. Clemson, 4. Utah

There is one situation where I can see Oklahoma getting in and that’s if both Georgia and Utah lose.

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The NFL playoff race is in full swing

AFC North – This division is Baltimore’s and after a statement win over San Francisco they have their eyes locked in

AFC East – The Patriots loss to the Texans makes things interesting in the AFC East. The Bills now just sit a single game behind of the division and we are now entering unchartered territory. Someone other than New England is challenging for the AFC East. To add onto that if the Bills could somehow grab the division they could potentially take the #2 SEED. But before we even dream of that they’ll need to get through the Ravens at home and then the Steelers in Pittsburgh. However, they’ll be aided by the fact that the Patriots will have to play a red hot Chiefs team next week. For once, the AFC East is a fascinating race.

AFC South – The Texans win over New England was enormous for their positioning in both the division and the AFC overall. They put some space between them and the Titans in the AFC South as well as keep pace with the Chiefs for the 3rd seed in the AFC. Who knows, another Patriots loss or two and perhaps the Texans could sneak their way into the 2nd seed. It’s a stretch, but possible.

AFC West – Kansas City had the type of win we needed to see from them to make us believe in the Chiefs’ Kingdom once again. They 40-9 blowout win over the Raiders should be good enough to win them the division and guarantee at least one home game in the playoffs. But unlike last year the road through the AFC won’t be running through the midwest. But with a meeting with New England next week there is a possibility that if they win out they could grab a top-2 seed in the AFC. I don’t see it happening with Baltimore falling, but the Patriots are a possibility.

AFC Wild Card – If the Bills don’t win their division a wild card spot will be theirs. Grabbing the top wild card spot will be crucial for the Bills to avoid Kansas City and potentially getting a more favourable matchup with the Texans. As for the second spot, who knows. As of right now it belongs to the Steelers. Their defence is legit but can we really trust Devlin Hodges to lead this team to a playoff spot? The other contenders include the Titans, Raiders and Colts. The Titans look like the only legitimate option here to actually grab the second wild card. They are playing excellent football and seem to have found their stride with Ryan Tannehill. The Raiders just got embarrassed by the Chiefs and the Colts can’t win an AFC South game to save their life.

NFC North – The division is shaping up to be the Packers. Wins over the Giants and probably the Redskins next week could be the difference. However, if the Vikings can stay within a game that week 16 matchup in Minnesota against the Packers could be a division definer. They have a tough matchup against the Seahawks tomorrow night, so let’s assume they drop that. They would need to get wins over the Lions and Chargers before the Packers game and hope that the Packers take a loss to the Bears in the meantime. It’s going to be close but I have a feeling that week 16 game might not matter and the Packers will grab the division crown.

NFC East – Wow… just wow. This division is the worst in the NFL and it’s not close. The Cowboys somehow have the lead in the division despite a 6-6 record and a loss at home to the Bills on Thanksgiving. Meanwhile, the Eagles LOST TO THE DOLPHINS. With the Cowboys loss on Thursday, all the Eagles needed to do was take down Miami and they’d be knotted up with the Cowboys with a week 16 matchup looming in Philadelphia. Yet despite that horrible loss they remain in the race with a 5-7 record. Their schedule is more favourable than the Cowboys down the stretch. Eagles (vs NYG, at WAS, vs DAL, at NYG) Cowboys (at CHI, vs LAR, at PHI, vs WAS) The Cowboys should be able to handle the Bears, and that Eagles loss to the Rams has allowed them the flexibility to lose to the Rams which they didn’t have before. Neither team deserve this spot in the playoffs but if I had to choose one I’m taking the Cowboys despite the schedule. Their team is better, their offence is better and they blew out the Eagles in their first matchup. This Eagles team seems too cocky for me and their 5-7. They still are living off that Super Bowl they won two seasons ago.

NFC South – The Saints were the first team to clinch a playoff spot and the reason for that is how bad the NFC South has been. But with the 49ers loss and a win over the Seahawks earlier in the season the #1 seed in the NFC is in their hands. Their last tough game before the playoffs comes next week when they host the 49ers. If they win that there will be nothing standing in their way from potentially hosting another NFC Championship game.

NFC West – The 49ers loss to the Ravens was a huge result for the Seahawks who can now jump into the division lead with a win over Minnesota on Monday night. The 49ers will take on the Saints next week meanwhile Seattle goes to LA to take on the Rams. Monday night’s and next Sunday’s games are going to tell us what we need to know about who is going to come out on top in the division. A couple of wins for the Seahawks and they’re in the driver seat, but a loss and a 49ers win in New Orleans then all of a sudden it’s San Francisco’s to win. Or there’s a chance it might come down to week 17 in Seattle when the 49ers will look for their revenge for a Monday Night Football loss earlier this year. This might be the closest divisional race in the league.

NFC Wild Card – I think Seattle is safe, and a Vikings win over the Seahawks tomorrow and they’ll be safe as well. The only other team with a chance is the Rams who after looking awful against Baltimore looked amazing against Arizona. If Seattle wins, they’ll be a game back of Minnesota and a chance to make it, but a Vikings win and they’ll sit two games back of both teams. The defending NFC Champion’s fate is not theirs to control.