One and Only NFL Playoff Picture Thread

[Guest MarvinisaLunatic]

From NFL.com

 

AFC

No playoff berths can be clinched in the AFC this week.

 

NFC EAST

Philadelphia Eagles: Can clinch NFC East division title with:

 

1) A win at Seattle and a N.Y. Giants loss or tie

2) A tie at Seattle and a N.Y. Giants loss

 

NFC NORTH

Green Bay Packers: Has clinched NFC North division title

 

NFC SOUTH

Atlanta Falcons: Can clinch NFC playoff berth with:

 

1) A win at Tampa Bay and a N.Y. Giants loss

2) A win at Tampa Bay and a N.Y. Giants tie and a Philadelphia win

3) A tie at Tampa Bay and a St. Louis loss or tie and a Dallas loss or tie and a N.Y. Giants loss

 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Can clinch NFC playoff berth with:

 

1) A win against Atlanta and a N.Y. Giants loss or tie

2) A tie against Atlanta and a N.Y. Giants loss

 

NFC WEST

San Francisco 49ers: Can clinch NFC West division title with:

 

1) A win at Dallas and a St. Louis loss or tie

2) A tie at Dallas and a St. Louis loss

 

The following teams have been officially eliminated from playoff contention:

Carolina, Chicago, Cincinnati, Detroit, Houston, Minnesota and Seattle

 

The AFC is so wide open, I dont expect any team to officially clinch a playoff spot before Week 16.

 

Will edit each week following to keep this post up to date..

[Guest hardyz1]

Arizona is still mathematically alive? Damn.

[Guest CanadianChris]

Arizona is still mathematically alive? Damn.

I think they can still tie San Fran for the division title, mathematically. I expect this to change by Sunday night.

[Guest razazteca]

I predict that the NFC wildcard belongs to the South so whoever wins the the division will get a bye. Bucs, Saints, Falcons all go to playoffs and will lose to AFC champ in Superbowl.

 

in AFC the Chargers will win the West and Raiders get wildcard

 

Titans win AFC South

 

AFC East is won by Pats

 

AFC North is won by Bills

 

the final wildcard is wide open until the final week.

 

if I got the AFC division winner confused then just make the team as a wildcard contender.

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

I still think the Raiders are taking it, if for no other reason than to stand by my preseason pick.

[Guest Kahran Ramsus]

AFC North is won by Bills

 

Really? How much did you have to drink last night?

 

 

My seedings...

 

NFC

 

1) Green Bay Packers

2) Tampa Bay Buccaneers

3) Philadelphia Eagles

4) San Francisco 49ers

5) Atlanta Falcons

6) New Orleans Saints

 

 

AFC

 

1) Oakland Raiders

2) New England Patriots

3) Pittsburgh Steelers

4) Tennessee Titans

5) San Diego Chargers

6) Denver Broncos

[Guest Spaceman Spiff]

AFC

 

1) Oakland Raiders

2) New England Patriots

3) Pittsburgh Steelers

4) Tennessee Titans

5) San Diego Chargers

6) Denver Broncos

Miami will make the playoffs. Fiedler is back, and Ricky is still going strong. They should beat both Chicago (in Miami) and Minnesota (in Minn.). I think they have a realistic chance to split w/ NE and Oakland. That might be enough to win the AFC East. If not, they can still squeak in as a wild card, since they own the tie-breaker over both Denver & SD.

[Guest Vern Gagne]

I think NE still has Buffalo, Miami, and New York at New England.

[Guest Kinetic]

Philadelphia has a ridiculously easy schedule to close out the season, so if things stay as they are then I'd see them getting the #1 seed and homefield advantage throughout. Not so for the Bucs, who have both Atlanta and Pittsburgh (at home, however) in the next few weeks. That Tampa-Atlanta game and the Green Bay-San Francisco game will have a lot of bearing on who gets seeded where. The best thing that could possibly happen from my view is for Tampa to win out, Philly to lose somewhere along the line, and San Francisco to beat Green Bay. That'd clean things up quite nicely.

[Guest MarvinisaLunatic]

Heres a much more detailed playoff picture:

 

Current AFC Playoff Top 6 4 Div/2 Wild Card

1. Colts 8-4 6-3 3-1 @TEN (7-5), @CLE (6-6), NYG (6-6), JAC (5-7)

2. Chargers 8-4 6-3 3-1 OAK (8-4),@BUF (6-6), @KCC (6-6), SEA (4-8)

3. Steelers 7-4-1 7-3 5-0 HOU (3-9), CAR (4-8), @TBB (9-3), BAL (6-6)

4. Dolphins 7-5 6-4 2-3 CHI (3-9), OAK (8-4), @MIN (3-9), @NEP (7-5)

5. Raiders 8-4 6-2 1-2 @SDC (8-4), @MIA (7-5), DEN (7-5), KCC (6-6)

6. Titans 7-5 5-3 3-0 IND (8-4), NEP (7-5), @JAC (5-7), @HOU (3-9)

 

Teams Outside of a Playoff Spot

 

7. Broncos 7-5 4-5 2-2 @NYJ (6-6), KCC (6-6), @OAK (8-4), ARI (4-8)

8. Patriots 7-5 4-4 2-1 BUF (6-6), @TEN (7-5), NYJ (6-6), MIA (7-5)

9. Ravens 6-6 6-3 3-1 NOS (8-4), @HOU (3-9), CLE (6-6), @PIT (7-4-1)

10. Chiefs 6-6 5-4 1-2 STL (5-7), @DEN (7-5), SDC (8-4), @OAK (8-4)

11. Browns 6-6 5-4 2-3 @JAC (5-7), IND (8-4), @BAL (6-6), ATL (8-3-1)

12. Jets 6-6 4-6 3-2 DEN (7-5), @CHI (3-9), @NEP (7-5), GBP (9-3)

13. Bills 6-6 3-6 2-3 @NEP (7-5), SDC (8-4), @GBP (9-3), CIN (1-11),

14. Jaguars 5-7 3-5 1-3 CLE (6-6), @CIN (1-11), TEN (7-5), @IND (8-4)

 

Eliminated

 

15. Texans 3-9 1-8 1-4 @PIT (7-4-1), BAL (6-6), @WAS (5-7), TEN (7-5)

16. Bengals 1-11 1-9 0-6 @CAR (4-8), @JAC (5-7), NOS (8-4), @BUF (6-6),

 

Scenarios

 

Chargers win tie with Raiders because of 27-21 win in Week 7.

 

Colts win tie with Chargers because of better record in common games (4-1 to 3-2). Both teams beat Bengals and lost to Dolphins. Colts beat Texans twice and beat Broncos, while Chargers beat Texans once and split with Broncos.

 

Dolphins win tie with Patriots because of 26-13 win in Week 5.

 

Titans win tie with Broncos and Patriots because of better conference record.

 

Broncos win tie with Patriots because of 24-16 win in Week 8.

 

Ravens win tie with Browns because of 26-21 win in Week 5.

 

Jets win tie with Bills because of 37-31 win in Week 1 and 31-13 win in Week 12.

 

Ravens win tie with Chiefs and Jets because of better conference record.

 

Chiefs win tie with Browns and Jets because of 40-39 win over Browns in Week 1 and 29-25 win over Jets in Week 5.

 

Browns win tie over Jets because of 24-21 win in Week 8.

[Guest MarvinisaLunatic]

Current NFC Playoff Top 6 4 Div/ 2 Wild Card

 

1. Eagles 9-3 8-0 3-0 @SEA (4-8), WAS (5-7), DAL (5-7), @NYG (6-6)

2. Bucs 9-3 6-3 3-2 ATL (8-3-1), @DET (3-9), PIT (7-4-1), @CHI (3-9)

3. Packers 9-3 7-3 4-1 MIN (3-9), @SF4 (8-4), BUF (6-6), @NYJ (6-6)

4. 49ers 8-4 6-2 4-0 @DAL (5-7), GBP (9-3), @ARI (4-8), @STL (5-7)

5. Falcons 8-3-1 6-3 4-1 @TBB (9-3), SEA (4-8), DET (3-9), @CLE (6-6)

6. Saints 8-4 7-3 3-2 @BAL (6-6), MIN (3-9), @CIN (1-11), CAR (4-8)

 

Teams Outside of a Playoff Spot

 

7. Giants 6-6 5-4 2-1 @WAS (5-7), DAL (5-7), @IND (8-4), PHI (9-3)

8. Cowboys 5-7 3-5 1-2 (8-4), @NYG (6-6), PHI (9-3), @WAS (5-7)

9. Redskins 5-7 3-6 0-3 NYG (6-6), @PHI (9-3), HOU (3-9), DAL (5-7)

10. Rams 5-7 3-6 2-1 @KCC (6-6), ARI (4-8), @SEA (4-8), SF4(8-4)

11. Cardinals 4-8 4-5 1-3 DET (3-9), @STL (5-7), SF4 (8-4), @DEN (7-5)

 

Eliminated

 

12. Seahawks 4-8 3-6 1-4 PHI (9-3), @ATL (8-3-1), STL (5-7), @SDC (8-4)

13. Panthers 4-8 2-8 0-5 CIN (1-11), @PIT (7-4-1), CHI (3-9), @NOS (8-4)

14. Vikings 3-9 3-6 3-1 @GBP (9-3), @NOS (8-4), MIA (7-5), @DET (3-9)

15. Bears 3-9 3-7 2-4 @MIA (7-5), NYJ (6-6), @CAR (4-8), TBB (9-3)

16. Lions 3-9 3-5 1-4 @ARI (4-8), TBB (9-3), @ATL (8-3-1), MIN (3-9)

 

Scenarios

Eagles win tie with Buccaneers and Packers because of better conference record.

 

Buccaneers win tie with Packers because of 21-7 win in Week 12.

 

Cowboys win tie with Rams and Redskins because of 13-10 win over Rams in Week 4 and 27-20 win over Redskins in Week 13.

 

Redskins win tie with Rams because of 20-17 win in Week 12.

 

Cardinals win tie with Panthers and Seahawks because of better conference record. Cardinals can still win wild-card by beating Saints in net conference points

[Guest bob_barron]

The Saints have a pretty easy schedule- they could easily go 12-4.

 

They have the tiebreaker over Tampa but not over Hotlanta

[Guest converge241]

the afc is not going to be decided until week 17

 

which is good, very good

[Guest Kahran Ramsus]

I think NE still has Buffalo, Miami, and New York at New England.

Yes, and they will take all three.

[Guest Flyboy]

The Saints have a pretty easy schedule- they could easily go 12-4.

That'll be hard to do when your quarterback and star running back is injured.

[Guest MarvinisaLunatic]

The Saints have a pretty easy schedule- they could easily go 12-4.

That'll be hard to do when your quarterback and star running back is injured.

As much as the Ravens need to win vs the Saints, I suppose its a good thing that Brooks and Deuce are banged up for their chances to win the game.

 

Not that I think the Ravens defense isn't good enough to beat them anyway..

[Guest Flyboy]

Although, Deuce is injured the guy still has the heart to play. *points to Bucs Vs. Saints game*

 

That's something right there.

 

Anyhow, I think all the Saints need is Joe Horn to beat the Ravens.

[Guest Spaceman Spiff]

Colts win tie with Chargers because of better record in common games (4-1 to 3-2). Both teams beat Bengals and lost to Dolphins. Colts beat Texans twice and beat Broncos, while Chargers beat Texans once and split with Broncos.

 

Dolphins win tie with Patriots because of 26-13 win in Week 5

Dolphins also win tie with the Broncos via their win over Denver in week 5.

[Guest Rabbi_wilson13]

Tiebreakers with Dirty don't matter. Same with Steelers. The tie between them will put them a half game ahead or behind of everyone else seeding or division title-wise.

 

NFC is basically set-up except for seeding, while AFC teams bounce around on a week to week basis. Miami went from the number 1 seed to the 4 seed, while the Titans went in the past 3 weeks from being the 2 seed, to being out of the playoffs to the first wild card.

 

The Pats cannot lose the division and hope to make the playoffs. They hold hardly any head-to-head tiebreakers. Phins are lucky, as they've already beaten Broncos, Colts and Chargers, with a possible victory over the Raiders as well.

 

I look at it with the Colts, Raiders, Steelers, Dolphins, Chargers and Pats going. Who knows what seeding.

[Guest DrTom]

Current NFC Playoff Top 6 4 Div/ 2 Wild Card

 

1. Eagles 9-3 8-0 3-0 @SEA (4-8), WAS (5-7), DAL (5-7), @NYG (6-6)

2. Bucs 9-3 6-3 3-2 ATL (8-3-1), @DET (3-9), PIT (7-4-1), @CHI (3-9)

3. Packers 9-3 7-3 4-1 MIN (3-9), @SF4 (8-4), BUF (6-6), @NYJ (6-6)

4. 49ers 8-4 6-2 4-0 @DAL (5-7), GBP (9-3), @ARI (4-8), @STL (5-7)

5. Falcons 8-3-1 6-3 4-1 @TBB (9-3), SEA (4-8), DET (3-9), @CLE (6-6)

6. Saints 8-4 7-3 3-2 @BAL (6-6), MIN (3-9), @CIN (1-11), CAR (4-8)

The order might change a bit, but I don't think the teams involved will. The Giants aren't going to hang with these teams, and everyone else's chances are too remote. Philly has the easier schedule (Tampa Bay has to deal with Atlanta and Pittsbugh, while the Eagles' toughest opponent based on record is the Giants. If the Eagles win home-field, Tampa Bay will have a tough time going in there in the frigid January weather and winning.

 

The AFC is still really wide open. I think the Colts are a safe pick at this point, but it looks best to wait a week or two on everyone else. If the Chargers make it in, though, I see them losing in the first round. They're 8-4 and have been outscored by their opponents, meaning when they lose, they GET KILLED. That's just not a good precendent to set going into the playoffs.

[Guest Vern Gagne]

I had know idea the Colts would have home field if the playoff started today.

 

What an great job Dungy's done with the Colts D from something like 29th to 2nd in the NFL in Defense. They've added some players like Freeney, Pickett, and Harris but defense comes down to effort more than anything.

[Guest DrTom]

What an great job Dungy's done with the Colts D from something like 29th to 2nd in the NFL in Defense.

He's done a good job, yes, but don't be misled by that figure. The Colts are right near the top in terms of fewest points allowed, but they're doing it with smoke and mirrors. Their defense tends to be bend-but-don't-break until they get a big play to turn the tide. In the playoffs, defenses like that can be exposed. They're certainly improved over last year in the defense department, but this year's unit isn't quite all it's hyped up to be.

[Guest bob_barron]

While the Ravens will be a tough test I think the Saints can defeat Carolina, Minnesota and Cinncinati.

 

Then again they lost to the Lions so who knows

[Guest Choken One]

AFC

 

Indinapolis Colts

----------------------

Currently place #1 with 8-4 record but have three .500 teams and a tough divison game to go through. Me thinks Indy falters but stays on with a 2-2 finish with wins at Cleveland and Home in Jacksonville. Seed #4

 

San Diego Chargers

-------------------------

Currently 8-4 with a string of big wins, have a Misfire line up of games remaining, Oakland is a Critical game, They'll have trouble against Bledsoe in the Snow, KC is a toss up every week and Seattle can bite you in the ass if you overlook them. I'll call a 2-2 finish falling to Buffalo and KC but rebounding against Seattle with a impressive win to finish 10-6. Seed #5

 

Pittsburgh Steelers

------------------------

Currently 7-4-1 without a clue which QB to use, which, oddly doesn't harm the team too mcuh because each QB can step up to the plate. They have the smoothest ride of all of the remaining teams playing the likes of Houston, Baltimore, Carolina but the Steelers will have to saunter down to T.B in a Very interesting challenge. Steelers won't need to worry about making the playoffs being in the AFC North but the seeding will be affected if they drop even ONE to the horrible teams remaining. Likely they'll beat Tampa but blow it against Baltimore but finish 10-5-1. Seed #2

 

Miami Dolphins

------------------

Currently 7-5 with their starting QB back at the right time lined up against two softball teams in Chi Town and Minn. NE and Oak are the Big Games. Miami has a great history of faltering at the end and it won't stop here, Miami will have no problems with Chitown this Monday but Oakland will tame them, so will NE. Minnesota plays the biggest factor of them all here...Miami wins but falls short of playoffs.

 

 

Oakland Raiders

--------------------

Currently 8-4 getting hot at the right time coming in strong against 4 DAMN good teams. They will play an great **** game against San Diego and fall by inches. They'll rebound the next week to knock the stuffing out of Miami's offense. Denver will be beaten and they'll drop to KC to close the year 11-5 and win the AFC West in the last year of team as it is. Seed #1.

 

 

Tennesee Titans

--------------------

Currently 7-5 with the most inconsistant team, making them a interesting team, we can't tell which team will show sunday afternoons. They are blessed to be given two "easy" games with Jacksonville, Houston, which they will win. They can and will beat Indy but fall HARD to New England. Finish 10-6 and make the final spot for the playoffs. seed #6.

 

Denver Broncos

----------------------------

Currently 7-5 in downward sprial. Looked like the best team 5 weeks ago but have fall on rock bottom and they won't be getting up, 3 tough games and one gimme. NYJ will be a win but they will drop to Oakland and KCC and finsh 9-7 but fail to make the Playoffs.

 

New England Patriots

---------------------------

Currently 7-5 with 4 TOUGH games but New England Pats are the defending Champions for a reason, they consist of the best overall package today. They will drop one to Buffalo but Tennesse will hand the game over to NE, NYJ will be a challenge but in the freezing Late december Foxboro, Jets will be iced as New England heads to the playoffs beating Miami to finsh 10-6 and claim the final slot in the playoffs and the AFC East title. Seed #3.

 

 

 

NFC

------------

Philladelphia Eagals

-------------------------

Currently 9-3 holding strong with their #3 Quarterback at the helm. They are lucky to steal such a easy final 4 game roll, but it really doesn't matter, they have the east all but locked up. They'll take it easy for the next four games, dropping on to Seattle and NYG but finishing 11-5. Seed #2

 

 

Tampa Bay Bucs

---------------------

Currently, 9-3 and blessed with a nice schedule,Detroit and Chi town will be a mere game for Sapp to wreck havoc. Pittsburgh will pull one of those great holy fuck comebacks on them but it won't damage the Bucs whom sided with a win this sunday, roll to Home field advantage at 12-4. Seed #1.

 

Green Bay Packers

---------------------------

Currently 9-3 with the best Winter line they could have, all games fit Favre temperture levels. Green Bay already clinched the playoffs but won't get the home field advantage unless Tampa loses to Vicka and His Supporting Falcons. Green Bay can whup Moss, Slam T.O and His sharpie, Bledsoe and Favre will have good old school gunsling war with Buffalo getting the edge and The Jets sweaking by in week 1. Pack finish 11-5. Seed #3.

 

S.F 49ers

----------------

Currently 8-4 and distanced from St. Louis and Arizona and will take a playoff spot regardless of the their final four games, as long as they take even ONE, which they easily do against Arizona and Should put the smackdown on St. Louis but Dallas will steal one from T.O and GB will smother them. S.F Finish at 10-6. Seed #4.

 

Atlanta Falcons

--------------------

Currently 8-3-1 and setting the world on FIRE with the real NEXT BIG THING, Mike Vick. Vick will finally be tamed by Tampa this sunday but Mike Vick will use that as a learning tool and laid down the final three games against deadwood to finish 11-4-1. Seed #5.

 

New Orleans Saints

--------------------------

Currently 8-4 and forgotten admist Sapp and Vick, McCallister has ran this team to this stage. They won't have problems making the playoffs due to no other challengers remaining, but will go into Bal, Carolina and win but fall in a Upset of all upsets against Cincy and lose a close one to Min. Seed 10-6. Seed #6.

[Guest Vern Gagne]

What an great job Dungy's done with the Colts D from something like 29th to 2nd in the NFL in Defense.

He's done a good job, yes, but don't be misled by that figure. The Colts are right near the top in terms of fewest points allowed, but they're doing it with smoke and mirrors. Their defense tends to be bend-but-don't-break until they get a big play to turn the tide. In the playoffs, defenses like that can be exposed. They're certainly improved over last year in the defense department, but this year's unit isn't quite all it's hyped up to be.

I don't think anyone is calling the Colts D the '85 Bears, but at teams aren't able to score at will against them.

[Guest cartman]

Remember Tom, the Pats won the championship last year because of their "Bend but dont Break" Defense.