The AFC is very shaky outside of the top 3 teams.
It's still early,, there's 8-9 teams all within a couple games of wildcard spots.
I think the Steelers will make it in. But that's still far from a "given" due to not having L. Bell and Ben in/out of the lineup.
The Raiders have a good shot. But, they have alot of division games left, you never know how those games out west are gonna go.
Im not sold on the Jets. I don't think they're actually a good team. They've already lost to WC contenders Oakland and Buffalo. And, they've lost 3 of their last 4 games (only winning a close contest against the Jags).
Anyway, the last month of the season should be exciting in regards to the AFC WC playoff race.
Kansas City Chiefs could be a team to sneak quietly into a playoff spot. They have played better lately. And, they already have a couple tiebreaker wins against WC contenders (Steelers, Texans).
The Chiefs had a brutal 3 game stretch at the beginning of the season which pretty much dropped them off of the radar.
3 games in a row they had:
vs Broncos
@ Packers
@ Bengals
That dropped them to 1-3 right off the bat. Then they lost Jamaal Charles, and it seemed like it may be over. But, they've put themselves back in position for contention after that rough start.
I agree about the Raiders. They are the NFL's Gators: hire all new coaches, sign some very good players, and you're in the playoff race LOL. (Well, not exactly like Florida, but JDR is doing magic in Oakland.)
The Steelers have to play against the Bengals again. They lost the first meeting in Pittsburgh. (Reggie Nelson had two interceptions in that game.) But I still think they have a better chance at a WC spot than the Bills or Jets.
I agree. I believe the Raiders still have to play all 3 of their division rivals (IIRC). Those games could go either way,, the Chiefs and Chargers could beat them, but Raiders would likely be favored in those.
They also have to play at Denver. Although Denver is beatable,, that one will be a tough task for Oakland.
If Oakland somehow wins the division title JDR should be Coach of the Year.
Of course that would require a major breakdown in Denver. The Broncos are still the best in the West.
AFC east - Patriots
AFC west - Broncos
AFC North - Bengals
AFC South - would love to say the Jaguars, but I actually still see the Colts taking it. Prove me wrong, Gus.
Wild cards - Chiefs, Jets or Raiders
Patriots will run through the AFC playoffs, unfortunately. Bengals do have the most talented team in the entire NFL, but I don't like Dalton.
NFC east - Giants
NFC West - Cardinals
NFC South - Panthers
NFC North - Vikings
WC : Packers, Eagles or Seahawks (don't think Atlanta will make it)
If the Cardinals stay healthy, I think they will take the NFC. Most talented team in the NFC, and they have a good coach. Opportunistic defense and special teams. Great offense, especially if they get homefield.
Patriots over the Cardinals... although I'll be rooting hard for the Cards.
Not bad picks Predator, but I disagree about Cincinnati being the most talented team. I still think Green Bay will win the NFC North though. Sunday's game at Minnesota will be crucial for the Packers.
No matter who the Patriots play against in the playoffs, I will root for the other team. I hate New England.
Quote:No matter who the Patriots play against in the playoffs, I will root for the other team. I hate New England.
Why hate on the New England Patriots?
Quote:Why hate on the New England Patriots?
They are cheaters. Their coach is not nice. I don't like Tom Brady either.
Surprised a Patriots fan decided to join the Jaguars board at this point in the season.
Quote:They are cheaters. Their coach is not nice. I don't like Tom Brady either.
Surprised a Patriots fan decided to join the Jaguars board at this point in the season.
Join at this point of the season? I've been a member here since 2007.
1. The Patriots do not cheat. They are however, the most scrutinized team in the NFL. Everything that they have done has been scrutinized to the nth degree since 2007, and the ony thing they can come up with is "Maybe they took some air out of the ball, but we can't actually prove anything happened"?
2. Is not nice? How do you know? Have you met him?
3. How can you not like TB12. Works hard, plays great and does a lot of charity work.
Now TV networks are displaying division leaders, wild card favorites, and teams on the bubble. Would you believe both the Buccaneers and Seahawks are 5-5? In fact Tampa Bay is listed as the #7 seed in the NFC. Of course I hope they do not get in based on overall record because that would mean we helped them do it.
Quote:Join at this point of the season? I've been a member here since 2007.
1. The Patriots do not cheat. They are however, the most scrutinized team in the NFL.
What!?!?! This is the most homer comment I've ever seen in my life.
Quote:What!?!?! This is the most homer comment I've ever seen in my life.
I agree. Only Patriots fans think New England never cheated because the "indisputable visual evidence" (like commentators always say about reviewed plays) exists that the accusations are true.
Back to the topic, how long should it take for New England to clinch the #1 seed in the AFC?
The New England/Denver game will tell us a lot. That might be an AFC Championship Game preview.
Quote:Back to the topic, how long should it take for New England to clinch the #1 seed in the AFC?
If New England beats the Broncos, I think you could go ahead and pencil them in for the #1 seed (not officially,, but you get my drift).
On the other hand, if Denver manages to beat the Patriots, I think it could make things interesting (although the Pats would have to drop another game or 2,, which is not likely but still possible).
Denver also plays Cincy,, which could be a very big game towards playoff seeding.
I'm hoping:
-Denver beats New England
-Patriots drop another game somewhere
-Denver vs Cincy becomes HUGE.
But, road to the Superbowl will have to travel through New England yet again I think.
The Broncos/Bengals game will be big regardless of what happens this weekend. They are tied at 8-2, so their meeting could ultimately determine who gets a bye week.
New England is only two games ahead of Cincinnati and Denver, so it is not safe to assume the Patriots will be #1 yet. Their game against the Broncos could determine where the AFC Championship Game is played.
Quote:The Broncos/Bengals game will be big regardless of what happens this weekend. They are tied at 8-2, so their meeting could ultimately determine who gets a bye week.
New England is only two games ahead of Cincinnati and Denver, so it is not safe to assume the Patriots will be #1 yet. Their game against the Broncos could determine where the AFC Championship Game is played.
The Bengals definitely wont win that game
Quote:After 11 weeks, who (besides the Panthers and Patriots, obviously) do you think will get in the playoffs? Which teams do you think will be eliminated first?
Panthers, Cardinals,Vikings Giants, (Packers or Chicago) (Redskins or Dallas)
Pats, Broncos, Bengals, Colts, Steelers, Bills
I have no idea who plays who but the Bengals should be gone early. The Bills will play New England in the first round and beat them. The Broncos beat the Colts and lose to Steelers in AFC final
what ever the NFC does... the NFC final will be Giants vs Vikings and Giants win
Quote:The Bengals definitely won't win that game
I don't think they will win either.