A few random playoff positioning thoughts and scenarios.....

I have to think it's very likely that the Titans lose to the Rams next weekend which means we'd clinch the AFC South before our game against SF kicks off. And even if the Titans figure out a way to pull the upset, we can still win the division with a win against SF. Knock on wood, anti-jinx, but I'll be surprised if we arent AFC South champs by the time next sunday is over. Worst case however we go 10-6. Looking at the AFC West, only the Chiefs can finish at 10-6 and they would have to win out do so. Even if they did, we'd win the tiebreaker so assuming we win the South, our worst case finish is the 3 seed. As others have mentioned we need either the Steelers or Patriots to lose a game if we want a bye. Steelers play texans and browns so I dont see much hope there. Patriots play Bills and Jets. I think the Bills game is our best hope but neither really seem likely. Barring an upset we almost seem like a lock for the 3 seed. Looking at the Ravens remaining schedule, colts and bengals at home, pretty good chance they finish 10-6. If so they'll lock in the 5 seed and play the AFC West champ... which the Chiefs seem to have all but locked up. Leaving us with the 6 seed against Titans, Chargers, Bills, Raiders, or Dolphins. Raiders have two tough games remaining and Dolphins need a lot of the other teams to lose so those two are the least likely. Playing around with the ESPN playoff machine, a lot of combinations of 9-7 between Titans, Bills, and Chargers. Titans and Chargers seem to win the majority of them. Bills only win a tiebreaker if all 3 are 9-7 with the Titans beating the Rams and losing to us. Not sure Titans finish with 9 wins though so if it's 9-7 between just Bills and Chargers, looks like the Chargers are in. Of all those teams, Chargers are the one I'd least like to play. Tough matchup for us and they believe they can play with us... the other teams might be a little intimidated. I'd also rather not play the Titans for a third time if we could avoid it. Of the teams most likely in, would love to see Ravens or Bills.

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