Define the NFL Standings Phrases "clinched... <something>"?

They mean precisely what they say. You can't sum it up any clearer than stated. And they are in order of desirability from top to bottom.

In preferential order:

*--Clinched Division and Homefield

z--Clinched Divison

x--Clinched playoff

y--Clinched Wild Card

When you clinch both the Division and Homefield Advantage, that means that you are the best team in either the NFC or the AFC (or the whole league, depending). By clinching Homefield, your side of the playoffs--AFC or NFC--has to go through your city, your stadium, and your home fans. You are guaranteed home games throughout the playoffs. Also, when you get that distinction, you get a first-round bye, meaning you basically get a "bye-week in the playoffs." Clinching Homefield Advantage distinguishes you from the other teams that also clinch their Divisions. For instance, if Patriots clinch their Division and Homefield, and Pittsburgh clinches their Division but not Homefield, if both teams play in AFC Championship Game, it's Pittsburgh who will have to travel and win on the road (advantage: Patriots).

Clinching the Divison is second best because, as your division winner, you are definitely in the playoffs. Every division in the AFC and NFC must be represented by a division winner in the playoffs (even the lowly NFC West). Also, as a Divison Winner, you are guaranteed one home playoff game, because the Division Winners are ranked 1, 2, 3, 4 in the AFC and NFC. Finally, if you clinch as a Division Winner, you have a chance of getting the #2 seed in the AFC or NFC, which means a first-round bye. But either way, you're getting one home game.

Clinching Playoff is 3rd best because it means you are definitely in the playoffs. Where you will be placed in the playoffs standings, though, still needs to be determined. You might be Division Winner, you might end up Wild Card.

Clinching Wild Card means you got into the playoffs but just barely, because you sucked less than everybody else who missed out. It also means that you are going to be playing road games throughout the entire playoffs. The only exception to this is if the #5 and #6 teams end up playing each other in the NFC or AFC Championship Game. In that case, the #5 team would get the home game. And just because you entered in at Wild Card doesn't mean you'll automatically lose (see Steelers '08--was it '08 or the earlier championship this decade? oh, well).

Define Clinch

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RE:

Define the NFL Standings Phrases &quot;clinched... &lt;something&gt;&quot;?

On NFL.com, on the standings page, this legend (see below) appears at the bottom. Please define these terms, and put them in order of desirability for the team to achieve.

x - Clinched playoff

y - Clinched Wild Card

z - Clinched Division

* - Clinched Division and Homefield Advantage

Clinch Definition

Clinched means that no matter what happens that team will at least get that. For example the Bears locked up the NFC North last night so they have clinched it, because even if they lose the rest of their games and the Packers (who are two games behind) win both of theirs then the Bears still win the division.

The x symbol is only there before the season is completed. it basically means that the team is definitely in the playoffs but not yet sure whether they are division leaders or wildcards. once the playoffs begin and you look at the standing page, that symbol will no longer be there.

meaning to to secure

it is best to be in the play offs and in you want to be the best in your division

playing at home is always a plus

and the wild card means to be in the running but just barley

In the end, the wild card spots provide a way for good teams to get into the playoffs despite not being able to win their division

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