The NFL has officially created a contingency plan for the playoffs. They have stated that if the games are unable to be played through Week 18, they will extend the playoffs. In this article using the RTT simulator, we are going to simulate the playoffs if the season ended today. It has been a while since we used the simulator in an article and I am excited to bring it back. We are going to use the top 8 teams in each conference to play each other in the first round. The bracket will be in a standard format with the one seed playing the eighth seed and so on.
First Round
1. Pittsburgh vs 8. Cleveland
In the divisional round the Steelers face an early scare. Although they tighten the ship in the third quarter scoring 14 unanswered. In the fourth Baker and the Browns shut out the Steelers, but could only muster a field goal which is not enough.
PIT 31 CLE 24 FINAL
4. Tennesse vs 5. Baltimore
A rematch of last year’s game, and this time the Ravens remember. Lamar gets it done throwing 4 TDs in the win. The Ravens defense steps up in this one as well as the Titans only scores came in the 2nd quarter.
TEN 13 BAL 34 FINAL
3. Buffalo vs 6. Las Vegas
The Bills offense just outpaces a much improved Raiders team. This game is one of those games where the score seems close but really the game was never close. The Raiders score in the final minutes to make things closer.
BUF 30 LVR 21 FINAL
2. Kansas City vs 7. Miami
Tua has played well in his first games, but playing the Chiefs in the playoffs in your second start is not far at all. He throws three interceptions in the first half and this is enough for Ryan Fitzpatrick to come into the game. Fitzmagic puts up 2 TDs in the fourth, but it isn’t enough.
KC 42 MIA 24 FINAL
NFC
1. New Orleans vs 8. Chicago
The Bears come into this game not playing great, but not playing horrible. They have had some rough games and this rematch goes into OT again. The Bears defense played well, but Drew Brees is clutch. Bress goes down the field scoring a TD to win the game in OT.
NO 20 CHI 14 FINAL/OT
4. Philadelphia vs 5. Tampa Bay
The NFC East, wow. The Bucs get a free bye here as they stop on the Eagles. Tom Brady wins his first NFC playoff game and rests through the fourth quarter.
PHI 10 TB 38 FINAL
3. Green Bay vs 6. Arizona
The most exciting game of the playoffs so far not just on paper. The game went back and forth till finally, we came out with a game-winning overtime field goal. Kyler Murray had 3 touchdowns and Mr. Rodgers had 4. This game was fun to watch and I was just simulating it.
GB 30 ARI 33 FINAL
2. Seattle vs 7. Los Angles
Another divisional matchup in the wild card round. Funny thing about this game, it is the next one on the schedule for each team. No change in preparation on either side and it showed. The offense rolled over the defenses here in a shootout. Russ and Goff going at it on every drive till on defense finally got a stop.
SEA 45 LAR 48 FINAL
The Seahawks defense kills them once again and Kyler knocks out the veteran. The AFC was fun to watch, but not much upsets on that side. Tune in tomorrow to see the rest of the playoffs get simulated.
Top Picture by USA Today