2012's Surprise Playoff Team (1 Viewer)

[pollardsvision]

It happens every year, almost like clockwork. 5-11 or worse goes to the Playoffs the following season.

None of those easy, trendy picks allowed in here (Panthers, Bills, Seahawks, Chiefs, Chargers, Eagles, Cowboys). Only talking real trainwrecks in here*.

One of these seemingly putrid teams will make the Playoffs this season. More than likely, it'll be two of them. I'm only asking you to pick one.

Though, if you also happen to know who the 2nd one will be, then by all means, please share.

In 2011, 2 of them did (along with 3 prev. 6-win teams)

2010: 2

2009: 1

2008: 2

2007: 2

*Although, I might throw the Jets in despite their 8-wins. They'd shock people almost as much these 5-and-under guys.

 

[Bills_Fan11]

I don't know who it will be but I have lot of $ on the line offering anyone to name 6 teams to not make it.

I would say the Rams & Bucs are most likely to win those bets for me. Wouldn't hate the Browns either if they weren't playing a rookie qb.

 

[FDC]

Colts Rams or Jags by default?

Hard to see Bucs, Vikings, Browns, Skins doing much with their loaded divisions

 

[thriftyrocker]

Colts seem the best bet.

Easy division - say they go 4-2 in division by sweeping JAC and splitting the other 2

Play AFC E - wins vs NYJ, MIA, BUF all possible

Play NFC N - at least 1 win there, decent shot of beating either CHI or DET

Bonus games CLE and @KC - CLE should be a win, KC is late in the year and could be starting another QB

If it all breaks right for them 11-5.

 

[The Kuhn]

Don't think it happens this year. Based on talent, Bucs and Skins are probably the "best" out of that list, but unless there's an implosion within the division, I can't see either of them finishing high enough to contend.

NFC prediction:

North- GB/CHI/DET/MIN

East- NYG/PHI/DAL/WAS

South- ATL/NO/CAR/TB

West- SF/SEA/ARI/STL

AFC predition:

North- BAL/PIT/CIN/CLE

East- NE/BUF/NYJ/MIA

South- HOU/TEN/IND/JAX

West- DEN/SD/OAK/KC

NFC playoffs- GB/ATL/SF/NYG/CHI/NO

AFC playoffs- NE/HOU/BAL/DEN/TEN/PIT

 

[Bills_Fan11]

Don't think it happens this year. Based on talent, Bucs and Skins are probably the "best" out of that list, but unless there's an implosion within the division, I can't see either of them finishing high enough to contend.

That's sort of the point. Implosions happen all the time and they're always easier to rationalize after the fact. There's nothing special about 'this year'.

 

[texasheat]

after looking at the list of choices, I'm going to say it won't happen this year. :yuk:

 

[gethugefast1]

Does 6 wins count?... Buffalo Bills

 

[Zeff]

Don't think it happens this year. Based on talent, Bucs and Skins are probably the "best" out of that list, but unless there's an implosion within the division, I can't see either of them finishing high enough to contend.

That's sort of the point. Implosions happen all the time and they're always easier to rationalize after the fact. There's nothing special about 'this year'.

If it turns out there is something special about this year, will you be rationalizing that after the fact?

 

[bostonfred]

Jags or bucs. I don't think the jags can contend for a superbowl, but they could easily turn things around enough to get 8 or 9 wins. Not hard to imagine the texans sliding, the titans aren't that good, and the colts are rebulding, while the jags have a new and improved passing offense and a solid defense. The bucs need to shore up that run defense, badly. They let up more yards and touchdowns on fewer carries than the texans had last year as a team. But they added some talent on defense, and I love barron, plus they added big talent on offense and have a comeback candidate in freeman. It could easily happen.

The rams arent that bad a choice, either. Bradford was considered a wunderkind headed into last year after a near miss at the playoffs. If seattle is legit and the 49ers don't regress, the rams aren't going anywhere, but with fisher and a whole new coaching regime, this could be an up year.

The vikings have a brutal division, and the colts, browns and redskins are all starting rookie qbs. I wont cross them off the list altogether, but they're longer shots than the teams I named. Washington beat the giants twice with crap at qb, and has a decent d and some nice upgrades on offense, so they seem the most likely of these four, but id hate to bet on a rookie qb dissecting the nfc east.

 

[Bills_Fan11]

Don't think it happens this year. Based on talent, Bucs and Skins are probably the "best" out of that list, but unless there's an implosion within the division, I can't see either of them finishing high enough to contend.

That's sort of the point. Implosions happen all the time and they're always easier to rationalize after the fact. There's nothing special about 'this year'.

If it turns out there is something special about this year, will you be rationalizing that after the fact?

Huh?

 

[Ilov80s]

I went with Colts strictly because of the division they are in. If Houston tanks for some odd reason, that thing is wide open. Where as teams like the Browns have to deal with the Ravens, Steelers, and Bengals or Bucs compete with Saints,Falcons, Panthers. Those divisions are just too competitive IMO.

 

[pollardsvision]

Does 6 wins count?... Buffalo Bills

6 wins puts some trendy picks in play, like the Bills and Panthers.5 keeps it at what feels like a special level of ineptitude, where most will want to say there's no way in hell any of these will make the Playoffs, even though history suggests that one or two will.

 

[pollardsvision]

I went with Colts strictly because of the division they are in. If Houston tanks for some odd reason, that thing is wide open. Where as teams like the Browns have to deal with the Ravens, Steelers, and Bengals or Bucs compete with Saints,Falcons, Panthers. Those divisions are just too competitive IMO.

Colts do feel like the sensible choice.They almost certainly have the best QB in the division, which means you always have a shot.

Same could be true for the Rams, but I doubt it. Bradford would have to take a huge step forward and Russell Wilson would have to get hurt.

 

[pollardsvision]

The 'Skins might not be a bad pick.

We think of it as being a tough division, but it was won by a 9-7 team with a freaking negative point differential last year.

WAS was at -79, which was the best of this motley crew.

CLE (-89) was close, but it couldn't be them. There's absolutely no way a terrible OH team with a rookie QB could survive the mighty PIT/BAL division and make the Playoffs...

 

[Ghost Rider]

I think the Colts could slide in as a wild card. Their 14-2 record in 2010 was a testament to how good Peyton Manning is, and their 2-14 was a testament to how important a QB is, and if Luck is as good right away as advertised, I could see them winning 9 or 10 games and sneaking into the playoffs.

 

[Vector]

Colts seem the best bet.

Easy division - say they go 4-2 in division by sweeping JAC and splitting the other 2

Play AFC E - wins vs NYJ, MIA, BUF all possible

Play NFC N - at least 1 win there, decent shot of beating either CHI or DETBonus games CLE and @KC - CLE should be a win, KC is late in the year and could be starting another QB

If it all breaks right for them 11-5.

Please, child

 

[Dr. Awesome]

I went with Colts strictly because of the division they are in. If Houston tanks for some odd reason, that thing is wide open. Where as teams like the Browns have to deal with the Ravens, Steelers, and Bengals or Bucs compete with Saints,Falcons, Panthers. Those divisions are just too competitive IMO.

I went with the Jaguars for the same reason. If the Texans slide for whatever reason that division is wide open. I could see Jacksonville winning by default.

 

[The Kuhn]

The 'Skins might not be a bad pick.We think of it as being a tough division, but it was won by a 9-7 team with a freaking negative point differential last year.WAS was at -79, which was the best of this motley crew.CLE (-89) was close, but it couldn't be them. There's absolutely no way a terrible OH team with a rookie QB could survive the mighty PIT/BAL division and make the Playoffs...

I think of the NFC East as tough because of the strong rivalries between all the teams and the fact that the worst team in that division always seems to upset the leader in a pivotal game...or maybe it's just a testament to how flaky the coaching decisions/personnel can be at times.

 

[Mr. Soup Nazi]

I like Washington.

The NFC East was really a bowl of crap last year, despite the Superbowl champs. Shanahan can still coach and they have the best QB they've had in a long time.

 

[David Yudkin]

I think the Colts could slide in as a wild card. Their 14-2 record in 2010 was a testament to how good Peyton Manning is, and their 2-14 was a testament to how important a QB is, and if Luck is as good right away as advertised, I could see them winning 9 or 10 games and sneaking into the playoffs.

The Colts don't have remotely close to the same personnel or coaches from the 2010 team. If the Colts are going to make a playoff run, it will hae very little to do with the 2010 team.

 

[pollardsvision]

This list is looking a little less horrible than it did a few hours ago.