The Commodore64 is taking the week off so I had the Tandy1000 do the intel gathering and it spit out the following tidbits that may be of interest…

NFC

• Scenarios in which 6 wins somehow made the playoffs were found for ATL, CAR, TBB, CHI, GBP, MIN, NYG, WAS, LAR, and ARI. Now I personally wouldn’t as a head coach aim for that mark and call it good, but it is mathematically possible. T1000 said NOS and SEA had to hit 7W at a minimum. Usual caveat there could be some lottery ticket that eluded it in its scenario searching.
• DET, PHI, DAL, SFF could in theory be coached by Arthur Smith (i.e. not win any games) for the rest of the season and still make it in.
• T1000 said if ATL and TBB hit 11 wins they would be assured of a playoff spot. I believe if either hit 11 wins (i.e. win out) they would by default be the NFC South champion). It said NOS, DET, MIN, DAL, PHI, SFF, SEA would need 12 wins to avoid any wackadoodle scenario that leaves them out.
• CAR, CHI, GBP, NYG, WAS, LAR, and ARI do not control their own destiny.
• Projected number of wins most likely to be good for a wildcard spot is hovering between 9 and 10, with 9 having decent odds of at least a tiebreaker situation.
• Projected number of wins likely to be needed to win each division (i.e. 2nd place + 1W): East 11, North 10-11, South 9, West 10. The East number seems low to me but I ain’t going to risk the T1000 going on strike over an argument.
• Computer didn’t see any division or playoff clinching scenarios for week 12 nor any that would eliminate a team from playoff contention. The Panthers live to fight another week. I think the Eagles could possibly clinch a playoff spot by next week.
• In my subjective world of what is realistic, I have PHI and DET as IN for they could drunken stumble to 10 wins which “should” be safe and CAR, ARI, NYG, CHI, WAS as OUT as it would be either impossible or unlikely given their current state of football playing ability for them to hit 9 wins which is probably what would be needed to have much real-world chances.

AFC

• Scenarios in which 7 wins could make it into the playoffs were found for CIN, BUF, NEP, NYJ, LVR, LAC, TEN, and IND. Indications are that CLE, PIT, MIA, DEN, KCC, and HOU would need to hit 8 wins for any chance. BAL and JAC are at their minimums already.
• 12 wins was spit out as the number that assures a playoff spot for BAL, CIN, CLE, BUF, MIA, DEN, KCC, IND, JAC, and HOU. T1000 said PIT needed 13, same caveat it might have missed something for PIT and 12.
• NEP, NYJ, LVR, LAC, and TEN do not control their own destiny.
• Projected number of wins most likely to be good for a wildcard spot is sitting at 10.
• Projected number of wins likely to be needed to win each division (i.e. 2nd place + 1W): East 10, North 11-12, South 10-11, West 10-11.
• There do not appear to be any division or playoff clinching scenarios for week 12 nor any that would eliminate a team from contention.
• In my subjective world of what is realistic, I don’t have any teams that I would put money down as being IN that could limp without an offensive line to 11 wins and be safe, but I have four that are realistically OUT as getting to 10 wins would either be impossible or quite the feat, NEP, TEN, LAC, and NYJ.