AFC Standings/Playoffs (1 Viewer)

[The Man with the Plan]

The Steelers have a tough schedule. They have to play at the Patriots who give them problems, at the Ravens where they haven't won since forever, at home against the Cowboys with their offensive firepower, and on the road against the Titans who have the AFC's best record. If they don't win at least 2 of those games their final game against the Browns will be meaningless.

The Patriots have seemingly easy games in the last quarter of the season but 3 of them are on the road and the home game is against the Cardinals. They should be win those games it's not a total cakewalk for them. Winning 4-6 games (if they win out) in a row is asking a lot of them.

The Dolphins have 4 of their last 5 games on the road. They're not a good enough team to mark down victories just like that. I think at least 2 of the Rams, Bills, Chiefs, and Jets will get them ending their playoff hopes.

 

[Pat Patriot]

I think if the Patriots lose this week to the Patriots that they are likely not to make the playoffs. They will be behind everyone with the tiebreakers. Although some think that the Pats are likely to win out after a Pitts loss, I think the road trip to Seattle and Oakland could be difficult. Playing Seattle and Oakland in of themselves isnt very difficult but playing them back to back on the West Coast is difficult.

Huge game this week between NE and Pitt. If the Pats win, they are in great shape as Pitt and Balt would still have to play each other. Not as big a game for Pitt because if Pitt loses, they likely just need to beat Baltimore to win the division.

 

[David Yudkin]

I think if the Patriots lose this week to the Patriots that they are likely not to make the playoffs. They will be behind everyone with the tiebreakers. Although some think that the Pats are likely to win out after a Pitts loss, I think the road trip to Seattle and Oakland could be difficult. Playing Seattle and Oakland in of themselves isnt very difficult but playing them back to back on the West Coast is difficult.Huge game this week between NE and Pitt. If the Pats win, they are in great shape as Pitt and Balt would still have to play each other. Not as big a game for Pitt because if Pitt loses, they likely just need to beat Baltimore to win the division.

If the Pats don't beat 3-8 and 2-10 teams on the road they don't deserve to make the playoffs in the first place.

 

[Dragon1952]

I think San Diego will catch Denver and get the AFC West crown. Pittsburgh, Tennessee and Jets get the divisions. I think Indianapolis gets a wild card (@Cle, vs Cin, vs Det, @ Jax and then a home game vs a Ten team that has probably already clinched) and Baltimore is playing awfully well with 5 wins in their last 6 games. I think they can finish 3-2 in their last 5 games to finish at 10-6 and get a wild card. Whoever wins the AFC West is toast in the playoffs in the first round. I think the Colts are a team to look out for as they seem to be peaking with 4 wins in a row now and 6 of last 8, plus they are 6-2 in the AFC....the best record vs the AFC next to Tennessee and Pittsburgh.

No Pats? interesting

Pats play home to PIT and ARI and @OAK, @SEA, and @BUF. I don't see NE worse than 4-1 in those game = 11-5.

I think Pittsburgh and Arizona can beat the Patriots, and possibly Buffalo if their D can get healthy and Edwards stops the turnovers.

That was pretty much my same train of thought in not picking the Pats. I obviously assumed a Steeler win this week in Foxborough. Pittsburgh gets Dallas at home and hopefully in foul weather. I think Pittsburgh easily wins 3 out of their last 5 to finish 11-5. Baltimore wins 3 out of 5 to finish at 10-6. Tennessee gets Cleveland and Houston next 2 games and potentially at 13-1 could have home field sewed up prior to meeting Pittsburgh and Indianapolis in Weeks 16 and 17, making those match-ups possibly easier for the Colts and Steelers.I think New England loses to Pittsburgh this week. The Pats then have 2 consecutive west coast games for the 2nd time this year. Last time they stayed out here for 2 weeks straight and got clobbered in the 2nd game by 20 points in San Diego. Last year, the farthest west they got was Dallas. Every single other game was in the eastern time zone. I know it's Seattle and Oakland, but both are getting a little healthier and potentially more dangerous every week, and both will be off of 10 days rest. And the travel is tough. Those games are not gimmies and I bet the Pats lose one of them. And Arizona and Buffalo are not easy either. I think the Pats do no better than 3-2. If the Colts, Ravens and Pats all tie at 10-6, the first tiebreaker is head to head. The Pats lost to the Colts already. The next tiebreaker is won/loss record within the conference, and currently the Ravens have a 1 game lead over the Pats with 3 to play for both. If New England loses to Pittsburgh, like I think they will, they are toast.

 

[Bri]

bump

 

[roadkill1292]

Very impressive win by the Stillers yesterday. They can absolutely run the table, including winning in Baltimore, which makes the Ratbirds' home game against the Skins this week that much more important for them. Pats now look like they have to win out while the Ravens lose twice -- entirely possible with Dallas, Washington and Pittsburgh left to play.

 

[fred_1_15301]

Very impressive win by the Stillers yesterday. They can absolutely run the table, including winning in Baltimore, which makes the Ratbirds' home game against the Skins this week that much more important for them. Pats now look like they have to win out while the Ravens lose twice -- entirely possible with Dallas, Washington and Pittsburgh left to play.

Pittsburgh now has an outside shot at homefield. They need Tenn to slip up once and then beat them head to head.

 

[The_Man]

Steelers-Ravens is shaping up as a HUUUGGGE game.

If the Steelers win that game, they are likely to be the North champ and probably the #2 seed, as they are a game ahead of the Jets and own the best AFC record tie-breaker.

If the Ravens beat the Steelers, the AFC North would come down to whether or not the Steelers beat the Titans in Week 16. If the Steelers win that, they probably best the Ravens on the Strength of Victory tiebreaker. Then the Ravens are #6; if the Steelers lose, they're the #6 and the Ravens are probably the #2 seed.

To sum up -- Steelers beat the Ravens, they're the #2 seed and the Ravens might very well be out of the playoffs if the Pats win out. If the Ravens beat the Steelers, they're definitely in the playoffs and could vault all the way to #2.

 

[=Smackdown=]

With 4 games to go the Miami Dolphins are still breathing - yesterday was a good day to be a Dolphin fan with every other team in the AFC East losing.

Amazing.

 

[Pat Patriot]

With 4 games to go the Miami Dolphins are still breathing - yesterday was a good day to be a Dolphin fan with every other team in the AFC East losing.Amazing.

As witnessed yesterday, the Dolphins could win out or they could lose to anyone along the way.Very interesting that the NFL changed their tiebreaker and Conference Record isnt as important anymore (beneficial to Patriots):1. Head-to-Head2. Division Record3. Common Games4. Conference Record5. Strength of Victory6. Strength of Schedule7. Combined Ranking Among Conference Teams (points scored and points allowed)8. Combined Ranking Among All Teams (points scored and points allowed)9. Net Points (common games)10. Net Points (all games)11. Net Touchdowns (all games) Here is a scenario for youatriots win outDolphins win out (including win over Jets)Jets finish 3-1All three teams tied at 11-5. All three teams with 4-2 division record. Then it goes to Common Opponentsats 4-2 division, 3-1 against AFC West, 4-0 against NFC West = 11-3Jets 4-2 division, 1-3 against AFC West, 4-0 against NFC West = 9-5Dolphins 4-2 division, 4-0 against AFC West, 3-1 against NFC West = 11-3Jets EliminatedConference RecordPats = 7-5Dolphins = 8-4Dolphins would win the division. Very plausible scenario BTW.So the Pats not only need the Dolphins to beat the Jets (or Buffalo to beat the Jets) but they would also need Miami to lose to SF, Buffalo or KC)

 

[Pat Patriot]

Same scenario as above.

After Jets and Pats are eliminated from East Division, there is now a 3 way tie for Wild Card between Balt, Jets and Pats.

All three are not in the same division so division record doesnt matter, it goes to common opponents:

Balt 2-3 (beat Miami, beat Oakland, lost twice to Pitt and Indy)

NE 2-3 (split with Miami, beat Oakland, lost to Pitt and Indy)

Jets 1-2 (split with Miami, lost to Oakland)

Do they even use common opponents when it is more than 2 teams? Would it then go to conference record which Baltimore would win?

 

[David Yudkin]

Same scenario as above.After Jets and Pats are eliminated from East Division, there is now a 3 way tie for Wild Card between Balt, Jets and Pats.All three are not in the same division so division record doesnt matter, it goes to common opponents:Balt 2-3 (beat Miami, beat Oakland, lost twice to Pitt and Indy)NE 2-3 (split with Miami, beat Oakland, lost to Pitt and Indy)Jets 1-2 (split with Miami, lost to Oakland)Do they even use common opponents when it is more than 2 teams? Would it then go to conference record which Baltimore would win?

You are also forgetting that the Colts could have the same record as well. This was all covered in one of the other threads.But since you asked . . .

TO BREAK A TIE FOR THE WILD-CARD TEAMIf it is necessary to break ties to determine the two Wild-Card clubs from each conference, the following steps will be taken.1. If the tied clubs are from the same division, apply division tiebreaker. 2. If the tied clubs are from different divisions, apply the following steps.Two Clubs 1. Head-to-head, if applicable. 2. Best won-lost percentage in games played within the conference. 3. Best won-lost percentage in common games, minimum of four. 4. Strength of victory. 5. Strength of schedule. 6. Best combined ranking among conference teams in points scored and points allowed. 7. Best combined ranking among all teams in points scored and points allowed. 8. Best net points in conference games. 9. Best net points in all games. 10. Best net touchdowns in all games. 11. Coin toss.Three or More Clubs (Note: If two clubs remain tied after third or other clubs are eliminated, tiebreaker reverts to step 1 of applicable two-club format.)1. Apply division tiebreaker to eliminate all but the highest ranked club in each division prior to proceeding to step 2. The original seeding within a division upon application of the division tiebreaker remains the same for all subsequent applications of the procedure that are necessary to identify the two Wild-Card participants. 2. Head-to-head sweep. 3. Best won-lost percentage in games played within the conference. 4. Best won-lost percentage in common games, minimum of four. 5. Strength of victory. 6. Strength of schedule. 7. Best combined ranking among conference teams in points scored and points allowed. 8. Best combined ranking among all teams in points scored and points allowed. 9. Best net points in conference games. 10. Best net points in all games. 11. Best net touchdowns in all games. 12. Coin tossWhen the first Wild-Card team has been identified, the procedure is repeated to name the second Wild-Card, i.e., eliminate all but the highest-ranked club in each division prior to proceeding to step 2. In situations where three or more teams from the same division are involved in the procedure, the original seeding of the teams remains the same for subsequent applications of the tiebreaker if the top-ranked team in that division qualifies for a Wild-Card berth.

 

[Bri]

Very impressive win by the Stillers yesterday. They can absolutely run the table, including winning in Baltimore, which makes the Ratbirds' home game against the Skins this week that much more important for them. Pats now look like they have to win out while the Ravens lose twice -- entirely possible with Dallas, Washington and Pittsburgh left to play.

"can run the table" seems like a jinx lately

 

[djcolts]

Very impressive win by the Stillers yesterday. They can absolutely run the table, including winning in Baltimore, which makes the Ratbirds' home game against the Skins this week that much more important for them. Pats now look like they have to win out while the Ravens lose twice -- entirely possible with Dallas, Washington and Pittsburgh left to play.

"can run the table" seems like a jinx lately

It was funny to watch ESPN's Monday Night Countdown yesterday, as they replayed most of the crew saying last week that the Jets were now the best team in the AFC. It does seem to be a jinx to be the "hot team of the week" lately in the AFC. I'd suggest if an expert says that your favorite AFC team is the hot team of the moment, then you should immediatly knock on a piece of wood, or if you feel a bit vicious, put a pin in the (now on sale in time for the holiday season) "NFL TV expert voodoo doll."

 

[The_Man]

This is an interesting thread to look at and see how things played out over the last month+ in the AFC

 

[Bri]

With the Colts and Pats playing so well, and with decent schedules remaining, the AFC North will be hard pressed to send two teams to the playoffs. Pittsburgh and Baltimore have some big games left, not the least of which is their meeting in Baltimore in Week 15. In addition to that game, the Stillers also have to travel to New England (this week, a yoooge game) and Tennessee (although the Titans may be resting guys for the playoffs by then). Ten wins, which I think the Ravens can get to (away games at Cincy and Dallas, home vs Washington, Pittsburgh and Jacksonville), may simply not be enough as a wild card.

almost perfect, kudos

 

[Bri]

I think Miami could sneak in.4 Ws and Jets not playing hard week 1713 Sun November 30 @ St. Louis Rams 14 Sun December 7 @ Buffalo Bills 15 Sun December 14 San Francisco 49ers 16 Sun December 21 @ Kansas City Chiefs 17 Sun December 28 @ New York Jets

got one right...kinda

 

[djcolts]

Very impressive win by the Stillers yesterday. They can absolutely run the table, including winning in Baltimore, which makes the Ratbirds' home game against the Skins this week that much more important for them. Pats now look like they have to win out while the Ravens lose twice -- entirely possible with Dallas, Washington and Pittsburgh left to play.

"can run the table" seems like a jinx lately

It was funny to watch ESPN's Monday Night Countdown yesterday, as they replayed most of the crew saying last week that the Jets were now the best team in the AFC. It does seem to be a jinx to be the "hot team of the week" lately in the AFC. I'd suggest if an expert says that your favorite AFC team is the hot team of the moment, then you should immediatly knock on a piece of wood, or if you feel a bit vicious, put a pin in the (now on sale in time for the holiday season) "NFL TV expert voodoo doll."

Seemed to end up being a Jets jinx only - though the Steelers laid a bit of an egg at the Titans last week as the "hot AFC team of the week" two weeks ago.