NFL Standings & Playoff Picture: Three Divisions Come Down to Winner-Take-All Must-Win Games
What a 2014 NFL season it's been so far.
Huge kicks, records broken, one-handed catches and so much more. But, like everything else, all good things must come to an end. With just one week remaining in the 2014 NFL season, numerous divisions are still up for grabs.
Three divisional games will be played in a "winner take all" game for their division. Winning your division is extremely important because it guarantees you are a Top Four seed in the conference.
Here are the three divisions that will be decided in a "winner take all" contest between the six teams:
AFC North
This division has been the toughest all season long. The Cincinnati Bengals lead the division at 10-4-1, with the Pittsburgh Steelers in second place at 10-5. The winner of this game automatically wins the AFC North, and will have home field advantage in their first playoff game.
The Bengals got a huge win in their last game against the Denver Broncos on NFL Monday Night Football, and a win here could move them to the No. 2 seed, if the Broncos lose to the Oakland Raiders. The Bengals have won five of their last six games with their impressive secondary.
As for the Steelers, they have the upper hand in this game. Not only will the Steelers be playing at home, but they recently defeated the Bengals in Week 14, 42-21. The last time the Steelers won the division was 2010, then they made it to the Super Bowl.
NFC North
The 84-year-old rivalry continues. The Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers will battle it out for the NFC North title in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Good news for the Lions: they did defeat the Packers in Week 3, and they have won their last two games against the Packers. The Lions also have an elite defense this season. Now, for some bad news: The Lions haven't won a single game in Green Bay since 1991, and they haven't won the division since 1993. Recent history isn't on the Lions side in this one.
The Packers are the only NFC team to have a perfect home record this season at 7-0. Aaron Rodgers has yet to throw a single interception at Lambeau Field this year. There's a good chance Rodgers will get this year's Most Valuable Player Award. The Packers haven't been a very good road team this season, and getting the No. 2 seed is extremely important for them.
NFC South
Whether fans like it or not, the winner of the NFC South will have a losing record at just seven wins. The Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons will face off for the No. 4 seed in the NFC.
The Panthers have won their last three consecutive games to improve their record to 6-8-1. Rookie wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin has been a great addition with a team-leading 999 yards and nine touchdowns. If the Panthers win this game, they would be the first team to ever win the NFC South in back-to-back seasons.
The Falcons may have the edge in this game for a few reasons. Atlanta has home-field advantage, and they did beat the Panthers in Week 11. Despite having a mediocre 6-9 record, the Falcons are 5-0 in divisional play this season.
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