RACE TO THE PLAYOFFS

[Moab]

Are the Bengals lurking and could they have a shot at winning out?

@Dallas, @Titans, Browns, Broncos, @Steelers

That would be a pretty good run, but none of the teams they play except the last game are what I would consider top shelf. The Broncos game could have huge implications and the Steelers might not be playing for anything in the last game, other than potentially keeping Cincy out. Will we see some Burrow magic, Super Joe for December?

 

[Caliskinsfan]

 

[Caliskinsfan]

 

[DJ Fieri]

Are the Bengals lurking and could they have a shot at winning out?

@Dallas, @Titans, Browns, Broncos, @Steelers

That would be a pretty good run, but none of the teams they play except the last game are what I would consider top shelf. The Broncos game could have huge implications and the Steelers might not be playing for anything in the last game, other than potentially keeping Cincy out. Will we see some Burrow magic, Super Joe for December?

Nope.

The Cowboys are riding a 2 game winning streak and I realize they just beat the Giants but the win over the Commanders/Redskins was impressive.

They should beat the Titans easily.

Browns will not be easy. The Bengals only beat them by a TD the first time they played and the Browns offense is a lot better with Winston and Chubb....

The Broncos are a lot better overall and even in Cinci, I like the Broncs.

@Steelers? Man, they could win it but the Steelers are going to be playing to win the North. Not like they are resting players or anything.....and I typically don't think rivals sweep their opponent unless they are a lot better. And even then.....in rivalries you throw the records out the damn window. Why my sucky ass Raiders had a shot at beating the Chiefs the other day.....SMH.

 

[Xeliou66]

Bengals season is over - their D is atrocious, it’s a shame because Burrow has had a great year but their D is one of the worst in the NFL. Their season ended yesterday with their loss to the Steelers, no chance they make the playoffs now IMO.

 

[PDay8810]

Are the Bengals lurking and could they have a shot at winning out?

@Dallas, @Titans, Browns, Broncos, @Steelers

That would be a pretty good run, but none of the teams they play except the last game are what I would consider top shelf. The Broncos game could have huge implications and the Steelers might not be playing for anything in the last game, other than potentially keeping Cincy out. Will we see some Burrow magic, Super Joe for December?

they are 5-plus point favorites at Dallas
looks like 45-35 this week. (Cooper Rush is a descent fantasy P/U this week)

I think Denver is a better football team and IF Pittsburgh is playing for a bye...NO WAY FOR CINCY>

 

[PDay8810]

Will we see some Burrow magic, Super Joe for December?

I also have Burrow on one of my fantasy playoff teams.


Parsons is playing pretty good again.... maybe both starting corners for the first time this year and even talk of Lawarence coming back.

I don't know.
I TOOK THE POINT THIS MORNING,
but I'm a known homer

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Are the Bengals lurking and could they have a shot at winning out?

@Dallas, @Titans, Browns, Broncos, @Steelers

That would be a pretty good run, but none of the teams they play except the last game are what I would consider top shelf. The Broncos game could have huge implications and the Steelers might not be playing for anything in the last game, other than potentially keeping Cincy out. Will we see some Burrow magic, Super Joe for December?

Really hard to say... In prior years I'd say yes given their propensity to get hot down the stretch. But something feels off about them lately. Their offense is still very lethal. If they can find a way to shore up the defense by taking just 1 possession or 3-7 points off their opponent's score total, then they would have a drastically different record right now. And they are far too reliant on Burrow at the moment.

Just doesn't feel like they are making the right adjustments, and just hoping for talent to rise up and create that "change" they keep talking about.

 

[Moab]

New look at the NFC.

11-1 Lions - Packers, Bills, @Bears, @49ers, Vikings
10-2 Vikings - Falcons, Bears, @Seahawks, Packers, @ Lions
9-3 Packers - @Lions, @Seahawks, Saints, @Vikings, Bears
10-2 Eagles - Panthers, Steelers, @Redskins, Cowboys, Giants
8-5 Redskins - bye, @Saints, Eagles, Falcons, @Cowboys
6-6 Falcons - @Vikings, @Raiders, Giants, @Redskins, Panthers
6-6 Buccaneers - Raiders, @Chargers, @Cowboys, Panthers, Saints
7-5 Seattle - @Cards, Packers, Vikings, @Bears, @Rams
6-6 Rams are - Bills, @49ers, @ Jets, Cards, Seahawks
6-6 Cards - Seahawks, Patriots, @Panthers, @Rams, 49ers
5-7 49ers - Bears, Rams, @Dolphins, Lions, @Cards
5-7 Cowboys - Bengals, @Panthers, Buccaneers, @Eagles, Washington

On tap this week.... Thursday night game Packers @ Detroit... huge implications for Detroit and Philly as well as Minny and Green Bay. Detroit wins and they sit in the drivers seat for the #1 seed in the NFC. If they lose, Minny and Philly have a shot at making their claim. Even Green Bay has a shot at it, but would need help because of the week 1 loss to Philly...plus beating Minny in the rematch...more to this game than just the game as far as NFC seeding is concerned.

Other big games with playoff implications are Falcons @ Vikings, Seahawks @ Cardinals. Falcons own tie breaker over Tampa Bay, but a loss and a Tampa Bay win will put the Falcons 1 game back.

I added Dallas as they still have slim hopes, but Slim is hungry and he needs 3 wins in a row for sure. 49ers get a mention, but that schedule and lack of first aid kits probably takes them out of consideration. They get to stay in for this week, but if they lose to the Bears it's all over, heck it might be over for they and Dallas after next week. psst...Sunday is my 60th birthday, and I usually don't start drinking until 8pm at the earliest, but I might make and exception this Sunday and talk all kinds of shit in the game thread, you'll know if that happens. Trust me, you'll know.

Five weeks of games left and 12 teams with somewhat of a shot at getting into the tournament. That's not awful. I'm thinking that in reality we have 5 teams competing for 2 division titles and then 5 teams fighting it out for the last wild card spot. Some of those are the same teams. As much as I think it would make this easier, I really hope we have the same mess next week as this week....I really do. At this point I don't care about the AFC, I'll start paying attention to that around Christmas. I will say that the Donks win tonight puts them in a very nice position to get in.

 

[Moab]

Just looking at the last 5 weeks of the season, we have some real slobber knocker games.

This week.
Packers @ Lions
Falcons @ Vikings
Bills @ Rams - Sorry Rams fans, but I think you're going to get smoked.
Chargers @ Kansas City

Week 15

Rams @ 49ers - might not seem big, but it could be
Indy @ Denver - might be huge for the 7th spot in AFC
Buffalo @ Detroit - yeah, uh, I don't think I need to say too much about this game.
Pittsburgh @ Philly - going to be a physical contest...body bags might be needed
Tampa Bay @ Chargers - under the radar game that might loom large for more than just these 2 teams
Green Bay @ Seattle
2 Monday night games...in December??? Really??? WTF not everyone is retired, why???

Week 16

Broncos @ Chargers - Thursday night is must see TV...all on Prime
Houston @ KC
Pittsburgh @ Baltimore
Philly @ Washington - it's finally Sunday
Minny @ Seattle - It's the late game, so maybe take a nap after this one.

Week 17
Merry Freaking Christmas day games
Chiefs @ Pittsburgh
Ravens @ Texans

Sunday games
Packers @ Vikings
There are 5 games with date and times to be determined...not any of which seem like an end all...maybe Cards/Rams and Falcons/Skins

Week 18

yeah, I'll know what's up in a few weeks, just like you

 

[molsaniceman]

 

[Xeliou66]

I think the AFC playoff picture is much clearer than the NFCs - I would be very surprised if the 7 teams in the playoffs now are not the 7 teams in the playoffs at the end of the season - maybe the Colts or Fins have a shot but it’s very doubtful. It’s mostly just a matter of seeding - it will be interesting to see if the Chiefs hang on to the #1 seed or if the Bills take it, and I think there’s a decent chance the Ravens win the North as the Steelers still have to play the Eagles and Chiefs and the Ravens in Baltimore, so if the Ravens take that matchup I think there’s a good shot they win the North - not sure who would hold the tiebreaker if they finished with the same record and split their meetings. But I think the AFC playoff picture is likely set already.

NFC has a lot more up for grabs - Eagles have a great shot at the #1 seed IMO with 4 of their last 5 games at home, while the Lions still have to play the Packers, the Bills and the Vikings plus on the road against the Bears and Niners. The West and South are up for grabs and I’m afraid my Falcons aren’t going to make it as we still have to play the Vikings and Commanders on the road, while the Bucs only challenging game left is the Chargers.

 

[Clayton]

I think the AFC playoff picture is much clearer than the NFCs - I would be very surprised if the 7 teams in the playoffs now are not the 7 teams in the playoffs at the end of the season - maybe the Colts or Fins have a shot but it’s very doubtful. It’s mostly just a matter of seeding - it will be interesting to see if the Chiefs hang on to the #1 seed or if the Bills take it, and I think there’s a decent chance the Ravens win the North as the Steelers still have to play the Eagles and Chiefs and the Ravens in Baltimore, so if the Ravens take that matchup I think there’s a good shot they win the North - not sure who would hold the tiebreaker if they finished with the same record and split their meetings. But I think the AFC playoff picture is likely set already.

NFC has a lot more up for grabs - Eagles have a great shot at the #1 seed IMO with 4 of their last 5 games at home, while the Lions still have to play the Packers, the Bills and the Vikings plus on the road against the Bears and Niners. The West and South are up for grabs and I’m afraid my Falcons aren’t going to make it as we still have to play the Vikings and Commanders on the road, while the Bucs only challenging game left is the Chargers.

Chiefs are kinda in this mode right now:

KC just barely got by the two easiest games on their schedule and that was after the blocked punt that beat the Broncos. Chiefs are 6th in point differential in the AFC. They're winning but they also haven't found their top gear and the playoffs are all, in theory, teams in their top gear. Its entirely possible that everyone just gives the Chiefs their best game which is why we see this pop up every year but there is a very real possibility of the Chiefs falling into something like the 3 seed. Id imagine the LT we have right now will be an LG next year. DJ Humphries basically signed off the street to remedy the position. I will say if they get the pieces figured out then look out but watching the Chiefs lately hasn't been pretty.

 

[MileHigh64]

I think the AFC playoff picture is much clearer than the NFCs - I would be very surprised if the 7 teams in the playoffs now are not the 7 teams in the playoffs at the end of the season - maybe the Colts or Fins have a shot but it’s very doubtful. It’s mostly just a matter of seeding - it will be interesting to see if the Chiefs hang on to the #1 seed or if the Bills take it, and I think there’s a decent chance the Ravens win the North as the Steelers still have to play the Eagles and Chiefs and the Ravens in Baltimore, so if the Ravens take that matchup I think there’s a good shot they win the North - not sure who would hold the tiebreaker if they finished with the same record and split their meetings. But I think the AFC playoff picture is likely set already.

NFC has a lot more up for grabs - Eagles have a great shot at the #1 seed IMO with 4 of their last 5 games at home, while the Lions still have to play the Packers, the Bills and the Vikings plus on the road against the Bears and Niners. The West and South are up for grabs and I’m afraid my Falcons aren’t going to make it as we still have to play the Vikings and Commanders on the road, while the Bucs only challenging game left is the Chargers.

Broncos really need to beat the Colts after their bye week. Win that game and they nearly lock in the 7th seed. They have three very tough games after that @LAC, @Cincinnati, KC. Playoffs really hinge on that Colts game in week 15.

Chiefs and Bills seeding will be interesting. Could see that going either way but it's so tough to bet against Mahomes and Reid. Not sure the Ravens will take over the north. Their defense is suspect and the Steelers are on a big time roll. Very balanced team.

 

[cdumler7]

Broncos really need to beat the Colts after their bye week. Win that game and they nearly lock in the 7th seed. They have three very tough games after that @LAC, @Cincinnati, KC. Playoffs really hinge on that Colts game in week 15.

Chiefs and Bills seeding will be interesting. Could see that going either way but it's so tough to bet against Mahomes and Reid. Not sure the Ravens will take over the north. Their defense is suspect and the Steelers are on a big time roll. Very balanced team.

I'm honestly not too worried about the Colts at this point. Maybe as the game gets closer but that team has been bad all year and escaped some games they shouldn't have. Throw in it being a home game. I worry less about the Colts game as I do the Bengals game. Not saying Bengals will make the playoffs, but just that they could put a whooping on the Broncos.

 

[Caliskinsfan]

 

[Schmoopy1000]

Are the Bengals lurking and could they have a shot at winning out?

@Dallas, @Titans, Browns, Broncos, @Steelers

That would be a pretty good run, but none of the teams they play except the last game are what I would consider top shelf. The Broncos game could have huge implications and the Steelers might not be playing for anything in the last game, other than potentially keeping Cincy out. Will we see some Burrow magic, Super Joe for December?

Bengals could definitely win out, but they are to far behind to leap frog enough teams to make the playoffs this season.

 

[Moab]

12-1 Lions - Bills, @Bears, @49er, Vikings
11-2 Vikings - Bears, @Seahawks, Packers, @ Lions
9-4 Packers - @Seahawks, Saints, @Viking, Bears
11-2 Eagles - Steelers, @Redskins, Cowboys, Giants
8-5 Washington - @Saints, Eagles, Falcons, @Cowboy
7-6 Buccaneers - @Chargers, @Cowboy, Panthers, Saints
6-7 Falcons - @Raider, Giants, @Redskins, Panthers
8-5 Seattle - Packers, Vikings, @Bears, @Rams
7-6 Rams - @49er, @ Jets, Cards, Seahawks
6-7 Cards - Patriots, @Panthers, @Rams, 49ers
6-7 49ers - Rams, @Dolphins, Lions, @Cards
5-7 Cowboys - Bengals, @Panthers, Buccaneers, @Eagles, Washington

Cowboys must win tomorrow night to have any chance.

Tampa is now in first place in the NFC South. Falcons have an easier schedule, but the way Cousins is playing should be very concerning for Falcons' fans. Rams making a move in the NFC West and have on paper an easier schedule than Seattle. Stafford is playing lights out and it appears the gloves and ball have a magnet in them for Kupp and Nacua. I can see the west coming down to SNF in week 18.

Big games this week, Bills @ Lions, Packers @ Seattle, Bucs @ Chargers, and it might actually seem like a home game for the Chargers.

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

Cowboys must win tomorrow night to have any chance.

Moab... I know you're trying to be kind to the Dallas fans, but we all know the Cowboys don't stand any chance. Rip the Band-Aid off...

 

[PDay8810]

Moab... I know you're trying to be kind to the Dallas fans, but we all know the Cowboys don't stand any chance. Rip the Band-Aid off...

this was a lay up

solid point