AFC Playoff Picture (1 Viewer)

[whhwalker]

Mid-point of the NFL season and I'm confident in saying the AFC Division Champs will be: Patriots, Colts, Ravens and Broncos.

There are 5 other teams at .500 or better with a shot at 2 wild card spots. Here are my thoughts:

Jets: I included them on this list because they are .500 and subjectively one might think they don't have a shot. Their next two games are loses IMO to NE and CHI, but after that it is pretty soft except for a visit to Minn. 9-7, but could just as easily be 10-6 or 7-9.

Bengals: It has been well documented that the Bengals have had, and will continue to have the toughest AFC schedule. With 5 of 8 games remaining against playoff teams and less than consistent performance I figure 9-7 is the most likely outcome for this team.

Jaguars: Up front I am a but this not withstanding the Jags have 3 very tough home games: NYG, Colts, Pats and a game 16 at Arrowhead. Despite the defensive injuries the Jags are a very fast punishing D corps who could/should win 5 of their 8 remaining games including a win against the Colts in week 14. QB issues remain a potential land-mine for this team. 10-6 or 9-7 dependent on week 17.

Chargers: I'm giving the division to the Bronco's because of a better AFC record and if they split their two games against each other Denver will likely have a better/same record and win the division on the tie-breaker. That being said at 6-2 the Chargers are in the driver's seat, but have the toughest remaing schedule with 2 games against Denver, 1 versus KC and Seattle. If a defense "dares Rivers" and stacks against LT I'm not yet convinced Rivers can win tough games on his own. 11-5 or at worst 10-6

Chiefs: It's tough to get both wild cards out of the same division, especially when the top 3 teams play each other 5 more times. This team could be 10-6 or depending on the last game of the season vs. the Jags, 9-7.

Prediction: Chargers get spot #5 and the winner of Jags vs. Chiefs in week 17 gets spot #6. I think the Jets will just miss at 10-6 because of a 6-6 AFC record versus Jags or Chiefs with 7-5.

 

[Marc Levin]

Mid-point of the NFL season and I'm confident in saying the AFC Division Champs will be: Patriots, Colts, Ravens and Broncos.

Big time rolling my eyes on that one. Den-SD same record, two games against each other.flavved.

 

[fred_1_15301]

Mid-point of the NFL season and I'm confident in saying the AFC Division Champs will be: Patriots, Colts, Ravens and Broncos.There are 5 other teams at .500 or better with a shot at 2 wild card spots. Here are my thoughts:Jets: I included them on this list because they are .500 and subjectively one might think they don't have a shot. Their next two games are loses IMO to NE and CHI, but after that it is pretty soft except for a visit to Minn. 9-7, but could just as easily be 10-6 or 7-9.Bengals: It has been well documented that the Bengals have had, and will continue to have the toughest AFC schedule. With 5 of 8 games remaining against playoff teams and less than consistent performance I figure 9-7 is the most likely outcome for this team.Jaguars: Up front I am a but this not withstanding the Jags have 3 very tough home games: NYG, Colts, Pats and a game 16 at Arrowhead. Despite the defensive injuries the Jags are a very fast punishing D corps who could/should win 5 of their 8 remaining games including a win against the Colts in week 14. QB issues remain a potential land-mine for this team. 10-6 or 9-7 dependent on week 17.Chargers: I'm giving the division to the Bronco's because of a better AFC record and if they split their two games against each other Denver will likely have a better/same record and win the division on the tie-breaker. That being said at 6-2 the Chargers are in the driver's seat, but have the toughest remaing schedule with 2 games against Denver, 1 versus KC and Seattle. If a defense "dares Rivers" and stacks against LT I'm not yet convinced Rivers can win tough games on his own. 11-5 or at worst 10-6Chiefs: It's tough to get both wild cards out of the same division, especially when the top 3 teams play each other 5 more times. This team could be 10-6 or depending on the last game of the season vs. the Jags, 9-7.Prediction: Chargers get spot #5 and the winner of Jags vs. Chiefs in week 17 gets spot #6. I think the Jets will just miss at 10-6 because of a 6-6 AFC record versus Jags or Chiefs with 7-5.

Wow I can't believe how quickly you are discarding the chances of the Chargers winning that division. When I read the title of this thread, my first thought was how the heck can someone think that the AFC West is decided. My second thought was that if someone would think this, surely they would pick the Chargers to win that division at this point.

 

[B. Nugget]

Mid-point of the NFL season and I'm confident in saying the AFC Division Champs will be: Patriots, Colts, Ravens and Broncos.There are 5 other teams at .500 or better with a shot at 2 wild card spots. Here are my thoughts:Jets: I included them on this list because they are .500 and subjectively one might think they don't have a shot. Their next two games are loses IMO to NE and CHI, but after that it is pretty soft except for a visit to Minn. 9-7, but could just as easily be 10-6 or 7-9.Bengals: It has been well documented that the Bengals have had, and will continue to have the toughest AFC schedule. With 5 of 8 games remaining against playoff teams and less than consistent performance I figure 9-7 is the most likely outcome for this team.Jaguars: Up front I am a but this not withstanding the Jags have 3 very tough home games: NYG, Colts, Pats and a game 16 at Arrowhead. Despite the defensive injuries the Jags are a very fast punishing D corps who could/should win 5 of their 8 remaining games including a win against the Colts in week 14. QB issues remain a potential land-mine for this team. 10-6 or 9-7 dependent on week 17.Chargers: I'm giving the division to the Bronco's because of a better AFC record and if they split their two games against each other Denver will likely have a better/same record and win the division on the tie-breaker. That being said at 6-2 the Chargers are in the driver's seat, but have the toughest remaing schedule with 2 games against Denver, 1 versus KC and Seattle. If a defense "dares Rivers" and stacks against LT I'm not yet convinced Rivers can win tough games on his own. 11-5 or at worst 10-6Chiefs: It's tough to get both wild cards out of the same division, especially when the top 3 teams play each other 5 more times. This team could be 10-6 or depending on the last game of the season vs. the Jags, 9-7.Prediction: Chargers get spot #5 and the winner of Jags vs. Chiefs in week 17 gets spot #6. I think the Jets will just miss at 10-6 because of a 6-6 AFC record versus Jags or Chiefs with 7-5.

I wouldn't give anything to the Broncos yet. Thanksgiving is not going to be pretty for them at Arrowhead.Besides, 3 teams are within 1 game of each other with 8 games left to play, so it is way too early to call the AFC WEST.

 

[j3r3m3y]

Miami wins out the season to take the wild card.

MARK IT DOWN!

 

[whhwalker]

Mid-point of the NFL season and I'm confident in saying the AFC Division Champs will be: Patriots, Colts, Ravens and Broncos.

Big time rolling my eyes on that one. Den-SD same record, two games against each other.flavved.

My assumption of Denver winning is based on the following: wins versus Oak, AZ, SF. A minimum of 2 wins out of these 5 games: SD(2), KC, Cin, Sea. Makes Broncos 11-5, and probably 8-4/9-3 in the AFC.SD wins versus Oak, AZ, Buf and a minimum of 2 wins of out of these games: Den (2), KC, Cin, Sea, Makes Chargers 11-5, and probably 7-5/8-4 in the AFC.The AFC record gives the edge to the Broncos. These calculations coupled with a) Denver Def has played better than SD and b) Rivers is a first year QB leads me to believe Denver edges out the division win.

 

[fred_1_15301]

Mid-point of the NFL season and I'm confident in saying the AFC Division Champs will be: Patriots, Colts, Ravens and Broncos.

Big time rolling my eyes on that one. Den-SD same record, two games against each other.flavved.

My assumption of Denver winning is based on the following: wins versus Oak, AZ, SF. A minimum of 2 wins out of these 5 games: SD(2), KC, Cin, Sea. Makes Broncos 11-5, and probably 8-4/9-3 in the AFC.SD wins versus Oak, AZ, Buf and a minimum of 2 wins of out of these games: Den (2), KC, Cin, Sea, Makes Chargers 11-5, and probably 7-5/8-4 in the AFC.The AFC record gives the edge to the Broncos. These calculations coupled with a) Denver Def has played better than SD and b) Rivers is a first year QB leads me to believe Denver edges out the division win.

Thats fine and you may be right but still pretty bold to say that the AFC division winners are already determined. I will say that as a Steeler fan, I've watched them lose to both teams but was far more impressed with the overall play of the Chargers than the Broncos. However, I realize that doesn't mean a lot.

 

[Despyzer]

The AFC record gives the edge to the Broncos. These calculations coupled with a) Denver Def has played better than SD and b) Rivers is a first year QB leads me to believe Denver edges out the division win.

Rivers has been outperforming Plummer just about every week of the season. You can point to some areas where the Broncos are better than the Chargers this year, but I doubt that QB is one of them.Also, you mention that Denver's D has played better than San Diego's. Fair enough, but why not comment on which team's offense has played better?

 

[Riffraff]

My assumption of Denver winning is based on the following: wins versus Oak, AZ, SF. A minimum of 2 wins out of these 5 games: SD(2), KC, Cin, Sea. Makes Broncos 11-5, and probably 8-4/9-3 in the AFC.SD wins versus Oak, AZ, Buf and a minimum of 2 wins of out of these games: Den (2), KC, Cin, Sea, Makes Chargers 11-5, and probably 7-5/8-4 in the AFC.The AFC record gives the edge to the Broncos. These calculations coupled with a) Denver Def has played better than SD and b) Rivers is a first year QB leads me to believe Denver edges out the division win.

The flaw in your thinking is the "win ... a minimum of 2 ... out of these 5 games." Then you go on to list SD, DEN, and KC all playing each other.If they play each other, then the division record will change. Division record comes before conference record when determining a division champ. Conference record helps if the division record is tied or if the competing teams are vying for a wildcard spot.

 

[dickey moe]

 

[whhwalker]

My assumption of Denver winning is based on the following: wins versus Oak, AZ, SF. A minimum of 2 wins out of these 5 games: SD(2), KC, Cin, Sea. Makes Broncos 11-5, and probably 8-4/9-3 in the AFC.SD wins versus Oak, AZ, Buf and a minimum of 2 wins of out of these games: Den (2), KC, Cin, Sea, Makes Chargers 11-5, and probably 7-5/8-4 in the AFC.The AFC record gives the edge to the Broncos. These calculations coupled with a) Denver Def has played better than SD and b) Rivers is a first year QB leads me to believe Denver edges out the division win.

The flaw in your thinking is the "win ... a minimum of 2 ... out of these 5 games." Then you go on to list SD, DEN, and KC all playing each other.If they play each other, then the division record will change. Division record comes before conference record when determining a division champ. Conference record helps if the division record is tied or if the competing teams are vying for a wildcard spot.

Denver is 2-0 in division SD is 1-1. Assume both win remaining game against Oak, 3-0, 2-1. Assume SD and Denver split (very reasonable assumption) 4-1, 3-2. Assume Denver loses to KC, and SD beats KC: 4-2, 4-2. It goes to AFC conference record, hence Denver is likely winner.

 

[Despyzer]

hence Denver is likely winner.

This is a vastly different statement than your original "Division Champs already determined." If you had started with that, I doubt you woud have taken so much crap. Personally, I think Denver is more likely to win the division as well. I could easily see the Chargers playing .500 ball for the rest of the season to go 10-6. I doubt ten wins is going to take the AFC West. Heck, KC could even get into the playoffs last year with ten wins.