RACE TO THE PLAYOFFS

[molsaniceman]

Lots to be decided

 

[molsaniceman]

 

[Uhsplit]

So far, so good.

 

[Moab]

Current record and games left

10-1 Kansas City - Raiders, Chargers, @Browns, Texans, @Steelers, @broncos.
7-4 Chargers - @Falcons, @Chiefs, Tampa Bay, Broncos, @Pats, @Raiders.
7-5 Broncos - Browns, bye, Colts, @Chargers, @Bengals, Chiefs
7-5 Texans - @Jags, bye, Dolphins, @Chiefs, Ravens, @Titans
5-7 Colts - @Pats, bye, @Broncos, Titans, @Giants, Jags
8-3 Steelers - @Bengals, Browns, @Eagles, @Ravens, Chiefs, Bengals
8-4 Ravens - Eagles, bye, @Giants, Steelers, @Texans, Browns.
4-7 Bengals - Steelers, @Cowboys, Titans, Browns, Broncos, @Steelers.
9-2 Bills - 49ers, @Rams, @Lions, Pats, Jets, @Pats.
5-6 Dolphins - @Packers, Jets, @Texans, 49ers, @Browns, @Jets

I would take a serious collapse for anybody else to have a shot at the 7 seed.

 

[Moab]

Can the Broncos hang on, the other teams looking for the 7 seed play them, so they have to beat at least 1 of them. Chargers don't have a cake walk either, but they seem to not be so Chargery. Colts schedule doesn't look daunting, but Richardson could happen. Bengals could make a move, but they'd have to beat the Steelers both times as a guess. Dolphins schedule isn't brutal either.

This should be a very intersting race all the way around including the North and South title.

 

[Xeliou66]

I could see the Dolphins getting into the playoffs if Tua stays healthy - they are playing well and have a good offense, and their remaining schedule isn’t too hard - they have to play the Packers, Texans and Niners, the Texans and Niners are both struggling right now so the Fins could win those games, this week’s game against GB at Lambeau is very hard but if they could somehow pull off the upset they would be in great position IMO.

I think the Bengals are probably in too deep of a hole to crawl out of, but if they can upset the Steelers at home this week, they could get hot as their remaining games aren’t that hard, and Burrow is having a great season despite their losing record.

The Chargers next few games are hard, their home games against the Bucs and Broncos in December will likely determine a lot.

I like the Broncos chances to make the playoffs, their D is really good and Nix is having a solid rookie season. If they take care of business in their next 2 games - at home against the Browns and Colts, they should be in very good position.

 

[Used 2 B Hu]

Huh, I don't see the Jets or the Panthers on there

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Steelers likely have the toughest remaining schedule so they are in the crosshairs here. And they are a team still struggling to find an offensive identity this late in the year. Sort of feels like 2020 when they somehow went 11-0 without a real offensive identity and fell off a cliff in December. Hope I'm wrong, but its sure looking that way.

Bengals always get hot this time of year... But its hard seeing them crawling out of the hole with both BAL & PIT over the top of the division. 2 divisional losses already, and 5 conference losses. Going to have to essentially win out.

 

[Moab]

This could shake out the the Bengals/Steelers game is a winner is in and loser goes home, unless they tie then they're both in.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

This could shake out the the Bengals/Steelers game is a winner is in and loser goes home, unless they tie then they're both in.

Steelers still have 3 more divisional clashes after this week. So there is a lot more that will need to shake out

 

[Xeliou66]

Steelers still have 3 more divisional clashes after this week. So there is a lot more that will need to shake out

I think he’s talking about the season finale Week 18 Bengals/Steelers game

 

[molsaniceman]

 

[Moab]

Steelers still have 3 more divisional clashes after this week. So there is a lot more that will need to shake out

It was more of a joke about the Raiders/Chargers game a couple years ago

 

[Clayton]

My guess is:

1 Bills
2 Chiefs
3 Ravens
4 Texans
5 Steelers
6 Chargers
7 Broncos

I hope the Chiefs can hold on to the 1 seed but their pass defense seems to a CB or pass rusher short and teams are taking advantage.

Steelers remaining schedule is tough so I think they get caught.

Dolphins I think come close but the hole is too big.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Steelers 9-3... Next up vs. CLE
Can't see the Steelers losing to Cleveland again. But it wouldn't shock me lol. Steelers defense has been giving up a lot of yards. Thankfully they have been getting some turnovers. Have a feeling this will be much like the game they just had against Cincy. Lots of yards & points from both offenses. After that they go @PHI, vBAL, vKC, vCIN. Brutal. They need this W vs CLE because they could easily go 1-4 in this final stretch.


Ravens 8-5... Next up BYE
Ravens head into the bye with a potential decision to make with Justin Tucker. After that they go: @NYG, vPIT, @HOU, vCLE. Don't see them dropping more than 1-2 of those games.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

AFC SEEDING UPDATE

1. KC 11-1... Remaining: vLAC, @CLE, vHOU, @PIT, @DEN
2. BUF 10-2... Remaining: @LAR, @DET, vNE, vNYJ, @NE
3. PIT 9-3... Remaining: vCLE, @PHI, vBAL, vKC, vCIN
4. HOU 8-5... Remaining: Bye, vMIA, @KC, vBAL, @TEN
5. LAC 8-4... Remaining: @KC, vTB, vDEN, @NE, @LV
6. BAL 8-5... Remaining: Bye, @NYG, vPIT, @HOU, vCLE
7. DEN 7-5... Remaining: vCLE, Bye, vIND, @LAC, @CIN, vKC

Bubble: IND, MIA, CIN, CLE, NYJ, TEN, JAX
Eliminated: NE, LV

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

NFC SEEDING UPDATE

1. DET 11-1... Remaining: vGB, vBUF, @CHI, @SF, vMIN
2. PHI 10-2... Remaining: vCAR, vPIT, @WAS, vDAL, vNYG
3. SEA 7-5... Remaining: @ARI, vGB, vMIN, @CHI, @LAR
4. ATL 6-6... Remaining: @MIN, @LV, vNYG, @WAS, vCAR
5. MIN 10-2... Remaining: vATL, vCHI, @SEA, vGB, @DET
6. GB 9-3... Remaining: @DET, @SEA, vNO, @MIN, vCHI
7. WAS 8-5... Remaining: Bye, @NO, vPHI, vATL, @DAL

Bubble: TB, ARI, LAR, SF, DAL, NO, CHI, CAR
Eliminated: NYG

 

[Clayton]

AFC SEEDING UPDATE

1. KC 11-1... Remaining: vLAC, @CLE, vHOU, @PIT, @DEN
2. BUF 10-2... Remaining: @LAR, @DET, vNE, vNYJ, @NE
3. PIT 9-3... Remaining: vCLE, @PHI, vBAL, vKC, vCIN
4. HOU 8-5... Remaining: Bye, vMIA, @KC, vBAL, @TEN
5. LAC 8-4... Remaining: @KC, vTB, vDEN, @NE, @LV
6. BAL 8-5... Remaining: Bye, @NYG, vPIT, @HOU, vCLE
7. DEN 7-5... Remaining: vCLE, Bye, vIND, @LAC, @CIN, vKC

Bubble: IND, MIA, CIN, CLE, NYJ, TEN, JAX

Chiefs and Steelers have 3 playoff teams
Texans, Chargers, Broncos and Ravens have 2 playoff teams
Bills and Colts 1 playoff team

Colts schedule looks like its one of the easiest you could imagine if they beat Denver after their bye week. They have a punchers chance at this. Also means a small possibility that the Ravens dont make the playoffs with their kicking situation which seems crazy.

Also a decent chance that the Steelers can get to the 2 seed. Chiefs have been lucky lately and that could certainly cause them to drop 3-4 games if they keep playing like they have been.

 

[Moab]

I know they're not in the poll, but the Colts at 6-7 might have a shot at it. They would need to catch one of these 3 teams. I'll do my usual exercise and see who plays who...

Colts - bye, @Broncos, Titans, @Giants, Jaguars
Broncos - Browns, bye, Colts, @Chargers, @Cincy, Chiefs
Chargers - @Chiefs, Buccaneers, Broncos, @Patriots, @ Las Vegas
Ravens - bye, @Giants, Steelers, @Texans, Browns

Looking at the upcoming schedules of the above 3 teams the Broncos and Chargers do not have easy schedules from here on out. The game tonight means a whole lot to the Broncos, and I'd say that if they lose tonight they won't make the playoffs unless they beat the Colts on the 15th. The Chargers have 3 games against the upper half of the standings and can't really afford to stumble. I don't see the Ravens not winning at least 2 of their last games and getting to 10 wins minimum.

Since we're here, lets look at the 5-7 club.

Dolphins - Jets, @Texans, 49ers, @Browns, @Jets
Dallas - Bengals, @Panthers, Buccaneers, @Eagles, Washington
49ers - Bears, Rams, @Dolphins, Lions, @Cardinals

The Dolphins might have a shot at it, but the teams above would have to stumble badly. As an added bonus, if they really "can't win in the cold" then the games at the Browns and Jets are daunting. Could they go 4-1 to get to 9-8 and squeak in? I could see it, but they can't play like they did Thursday night.

The NFC is a different beast all together. I don't see the Vikings or Packers totally crapping their pants to end the season, so that leaves Washington as the team to catch for Dallas. I'll post Washington's schedule below. I don't see the 49ers getting anywhere. Not one of their final 5 are an easy game, none of the teams they play are bad teams and right now, they're not good. I guess higher draft picks is the prize for being the most injured stars team in the league.

Washington - bye, @Saints, Eagles, Falcons, @Dallas

Maybe Dallas does have a shot, but they'd pretty much have to go 4-1 and have Washington go 1-3 and Dallas would need to win the rematch.

 

[DJ Fieri]

I think he’s talking about the season finale Week 18 Bengals/Steelers game

Yep.

The Bungles could try and play spoiler since that could be their version of the SB.