NFL Playoff Picture (1 Viewer)

[Please See Mine]

Am I crazy? I only think that there is really one spot up for grabs: 2nd wild card in the AFC b/w Jax and KC. Cincinatti has an outside shot, but they have been really inconsistent. I would give Pittsburgh a very outside shot, but I don't think it's impossible until they lose their 7th game. I don't take the Jets seriously.

I think there is only a small chance that Atlanta will make a push to get back into it, based on their inconsistent play this year. Eagles are done. I don't see how you could take the Packers, Vikings, Rams or 49ers that seriously.

I don't remember a year recently that things were seemingly decided so early. I know that things can change in a hurry, but it's hard for me to see what will change that much.

Thoughts?

 

[trennr]

I'll take a shot...

AFC:

1] Colts

2] Bolts

3] Ravens

4] Pats

5] Broncos

6] Jags / Bengals

NFC:

1] Bears

2] Cowboys

3] Panthers

4] Seahawks

5] Saints / Giants

6] Giants / Saints

 

[sinatravolta]

New Orleans is 6-4, but finishes the season with:

@Atlanta

San Fran

@Dallas

Washington

@NYG

Carolina

There are a number of tough games in there - with the biggest one obviously being this week against @Atlanta. If they lose that - then they're tied with the Falcons.

Falcons have:

NO

@Washington

@Tampa

Dallas

Carolina

@Philly

which in my opinion is slightly easier. So - this week's game between these 2 games is pretty huge.

Also - while I think the Giants will make it, they're only 6-4 and not looking so great. So I wouldn't pencil them in just yet.

 

[fred_1_15301]

Am I crazy? I only think that there is really one spot up for grabs: 2nd wild card in the AFC b/w Jax and KC. Cincinatti has an outside shot, but they have been really inconsistent. I would give Pittsburgh a very outside shot, but I don't think it's impossible until they lose their 7th game. I don't take the Jets seriously.

I think there is only a small chance that Atlanta will make a push to get back into it, based on their inconsistent play this year. Eagles are done. I don't see how you could take the Packers, Vikings, Rams or 49ers that seriously.

I don't remember a year recently that things were seemingly decided so early. I know that things can change in a hurry, but it's hard for me to see what will change that much.

Thoughts?

It's probably like this every year and every year things happen during the playoff stretch that nobody expects. My guess is that at least one or two of those teams that you consider not to have a very serious shot at making the playoffs will make the playoffs.

 

[aposulli]

Am I crazy? I only think that there is really one spot up for grabs: 2nd wild card in the AFC b/w Jax and KC. Cincinatti has an outside shot, but they have been really inconsistent. I would give Pittsburgh a very outside shot, but I don't think it's impossible until they lose their 7th game. I don't take the Jets seriously.I think there is only a small chance that Atlanta will make a push to get back into it, based on their inconsistent play this year. Eagles are done. I don't see how you could take the Packers, Vikings, Rams or 49ers that seriously.I don't remember a year recently that things were seemingly decided so early. I know that things can change in a hurry, but it's hard for me to see what will change that much.Thoughts?

There is as much parity in the NFC right now as there's ever been.You might like the big boys, but watch out for the 9ers, Rams and Vikings.

 

[snogger]

I don't see how you could take the Packers, Vikings, Rams or 49ers that seriously.

After the win on Sunday the 49ers are only 1 game out of 1st place and right now have the tie breaker advantage over the Seahawks. "It's not over, until it's over"

 

[goldenchild]

I don't see how you could take the Packers, Vikings, Rams or 49ers that seriously.

After the win on Sunday the 49ers are only 1 game out of 1st place and right now have the tie breaker advantage over the Seahawks. "It's not over, until it's over"

GO NINERS!

 

[Kevin Ashcraft]

Everyone is still sleeping on KC.....not surprising....

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

Everyone is still sleeping on KC.....not surprising....

barely beating oakland at home has that effect on people

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Here are my big questions:

1) Can anyone in the NFC go into Soldier Field and win? If so, who and why?

2) Which team boots Indy from the playoffs this year, SD or NE?

 

[BGP]

There's quite a few 6-4 NFC teams. The odds are probably pretty decent that at least one of them goes into a tailspin between now and the end of the year. Injuries. A few flaw exposed by a future opponent. Who knows.

 

[SigEp316]

Let me preface by saying that I don't think the JETS are a playoff team, but here's there remaining schedule

Houston

Green Bay

Buffalo

Minnesota

Miami

Oakland

are you kidding me...they could win all of those games

if so...does 11-5 get them in?

 

[Symbius]

Here are my big questions:1) Can anyone in the NFC go into Soldier Field and win? If so, who and why?2) Which team boots Indy from the playoffs this year, SD or NE?

Carolina? Again?They've been there and done that.The Bears D has been gashed by teams with the yardage, but keep coming up big when it counts.Unless that gets corrected, I wouldn't be too suprised if history repeats itself.

 

[Despyzer]

This time last year, everyone had written off the Steelers, and the Chargers were in everyone's top three.

 

[Hellfire Snail]

Here are my big questions:1) Can anyone in the NFC go into Soldier Field and win? If so, who and why?2) Which team boots Indy from the playoffs this year, SD or NE?

Carolina? Again?They've been there and done that.The Bears D has been gashed by teams with the yardage, but keep coming up big when it counts.Unless that gets corrected, I wouldn't be too suprised if history repeats itself.

Same thing every year with Lina. They blow during the first half of the regular season, kick it into gear in the latter half, but by then most have decided they're overrated, and then they are dangerous in the playoffs. Lina whupping the Bears in Chicago wouldn't surprise me at all. The Chicago offense has shown it can vanish in the blink of an eye. There are no guarentees with the Bears. None.

 

[doughboydeluxe]

Here are my big questions:1) Can anyone in the NFC go into Soldier Field and win? If so, who and why?

If anyone is going to beat the Bears in Chicago, they will do it like the Dolphins did it. Smacking Grossman around and running the ball effectively are keys to beating the Bears in Chicago.

 

[fred_1_15301]

This time last year, everyone had written off the Steelers, and the Chargers were in everyone's top three.

At this time last year, the Steelers were 7-3, the Chargers were 6-4, and the Steelers had already beaten the Chargers in SD. I don't know who had written fof the steelers and who had the Chargers in their top 3 at that point?

 

[Pat Patriot]

I think the seeding in the AFC is very interesting.

Indy looks locked in. SD has the upper hand now but has to beat Denver again. Baltimore looks great but plays the Steelers twice and Cincy again. If NE can beat Chicago, their schedule sets up well. Outside chance at #2 seed. Loss to Jets really hurts.

Huge game for KC this week. They can tie Denver with a win. A win by KC basically brings everyone back into play. JAX already is in play but a KC win solidifies their position. Cincy would come into play and move the Steelers closer to being in play (I dont think they are in play but some people refuse to write them off, I do not think they are sweeping the rest of their schedule). Jets have a number of games that are very winnable or loseable if you are the Jets. Could go either direction.

A KC loss and the AFC could be over other than the seedings.

NFC has a lot of teams that are still in contention but are fading. Nobody really likes Atlanta or Philly right now. I do like the Niners. They are coming on. Are they too young? I would love to see them overtake Seattle. 4 out of 6 games left on the road will make it difficult though.

Bears are locked in. Dallas is on the rise. Win Thursday and 10 days off would set Dallas up nicely for the stretch run. I expect Carolina to take the South. Defense is playing well. Most likely Seattle in the West. Giants should hold on for a wild card. I'm not sure that NO can but who is going to step up and challenge them?

 

[fred_1_15301]

Let me preface by saying that I don't think the JETS are a playoff team, but here's there remaining scheduleHoustonGreen BayBuffaloMinnesotaMiamiOaklandare you kidding me...they could win all of those games if so...does 11-5 get them in?

The ironic thing is, most of those teams are probably looking at the Jets as a probable win.......

 

[aposulli]

Here are my big questions:1) Can anyone in the NFC go into Soldier Field and win? If so, who and why?2) Which team boots Indy from the playoffs this year, SD or NE?

1) Nobody will be favored at any point. Even a healthy Seahawks team. Romo on the road in the playoffs? No thanks. Ditto Eli Manning who already was by the Bears. Only Steve Smith or Mike Vick if they get real hot at the right time could beat 'em at home in the playoffs IMO.2) Some ppl still don't believe Dungy/Manning can get it done in the playoffs, but they are SB-bound if you ask me, assuming full health on that D (at least with Freeney and Sanders), I'd give them a 80% chance of making it.Teams that COULD beat 'em in (@IND) in order: SD, BAL, NE, CIN. No other team has a shot in hell.

 

[Tom Baker]

Here are my big questions:1) Can anyone in the NFC go into Soldier Field and win? If so, who and why?2) Which team boots Indy from the playoffs this year, SD or NE?

1) Who? Carolina. Why? Steve Smith.2) Both. The league decides to give Indy a double-elimination home-field double-header in an attempt to get Manning to the Super Bowl. Doesn't work . . .

 

[The Jacket]

Everyone is still sleeping on KC.....not surprising....

barely beating oakland at home has that effect on people

A week after the Jags lost to the Texans, I don't follow your logic.

 

[Fear & Loathing]

Here are my big questions:1) Can anyone in the NFC go into Soldier Field and win? If so, who and why?2) Which team boots Indy from the playoffs this year, SD or NE?

Very nice. You are a man with his finger clearly on the pulse of the NFL.

 

[Godsbrother]

Let me preface by saying that I don't think the JETS are a playoff team, but here's there remaining scheduleHoustonGreen BayBuffaloMinnesotaMiamiOaklandare you kidding me...they could win all of those games if so...does 11-5 get them in?

11-5 will definitely be good enough to get into the playoffs

The ironic thing is, most of those teams are probably looking at the Jets as a probable win.......

This is very true.

 

[The Jacket]

A KC loss and the AFC could be over other than the seedings.

NFC has a lot of teams that are still in contention but are fading. Nobody really likes Atlanta or Philly right now. I do like the Niners. They are coming on. Are they too young? I would love to see them overtake Seattle. 4 out of 6 games left on the road will make it difficult though.

You're right that a KC win is the wildcard, but you're a little off on how it effects certain teams, IMO.A KC loss is what Jacksonville wants - badly. Jacksonville doesn't want to go into week 17's game at Arrowhead with one win less than the Chiefs, because they'd need to win to make the playoffs. I don't see that happening.

The Bengals also want the Chiefs to lose. Their best hope is the second wildcard, and they have the tiebreaker over KC. But they can't finish with one less win than the Chiefs, which is where they stand at the moment. A win for Cincy and a loss for KC puts them both at 6-5 with the Bengals in the driving seat.

The Jets aren't as much a factor because the two teams won't meet, but the Jets are also a game behind the Chiefs and must root for them to lose. A win for the Chiefs is in no way, shape or form good for the Jets.

As you may have noted, my comments are with the idea that Denver (or possibly San Diego) grab the first wildcard and face the #4 seed on wildcard weekend.

 

[djcolts]

Here are my big questions:1) Can anyone in the NFC go into Soldier Field and win? If so, who and why?2) Which team boots Indy from the playoffs this year, SD or NE?

1. Carolina. They did it last year in Soldier Field.2. SD. I think the Colts can beat NE at home even in the playoffs this year. I can't say the same about SD - who has more weapons.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

2) Some ppl still don't believe Dungy/Manning can get it done in the playoffs, but they are SB-bound if you ask me, assuming full health on that D (at least with Freeney and Sanders), I'd give them a 80% chance of making it.

Dallas showed yet again (just like SD and PIT in 2005, and NE in years past) that there is a recipe for beating for Indy. I haven't seen the pieces put in place that will make that recipe not work. Sanders being healthy is huge - he changes the tone of that D. I just think Indy lacks what it takes to get over the hump and win in a physical playoff matchup.

 

[Godsbrother]

I just think Indy lacks what it takes to get over the hump and win in a physical playoff matchup.

It is for this reason why I don't see the Bengals winning either. They have a lot of fire power but a physical team like New England or Baltimore would eat their lunch in the playoffs.

 

[idhitit]

As you may have noted, my comments are with the idea that Denver (or possibly San Diego) grab the first wildcard and face the #4 seed on wildcard weekend.

Well, if KC beats Denver this week, I don't think it is necessarily a good assumption. If KC wins, both of these teams will be 7-4, and both have to play San Diego in San Diego. While either one is capable of beating the Chargers in San Diego, they would have to be considered underdogs in that game. If they lose that game, any other loss is likely to put them out of the playoffs.If KC beats Denver on Thursday, the AFC Wild card picture would be, well, wild.

 

[DoubleG]

Here are my big questions:

1) Can anyone in the NFC go into Soldier Field and win? If so, who and why?

2) Which team boots Indy from the playoffs this year, SD or NE?

1. Carolina. They did it last year in Soldier Field.

By this logic, Miami could too - as could any team that beat the Bears last year (including Clevland ). There are several problems with this logic. First, the Bears defensive unit that played the Panthers (and didn't cover Steve Smith) last year is NOT the same defense that is playing for the Bears now - there are several new players on the Bears defense, as well as younger players that have more experience. The current Bears have not allowed 300 yards of total offense to any team yet this year - they allowed 400+ in that playoff game. The playoff game last year was basically Rex's 3rd game back from injury - this year he (the Lord willing) will have played an entire season. To suggest that a Carolina team that is different this year from last could beat a Bears team that is different from last year's team, simply because they did 300 and some odd days ago is silly.

 

[Aaronstory]

Here are my big questions:1) Can anyone in the NFC go into Soldier Field and win? If so, who and why?

While I tend to agree, everyone was saying the same thing last year...

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Here are my big questions:1) Can anyone in the NFC go into Soldier Field and win? If so, who and why?

While I tend to agree, everyone was saying the same thing last year...

They won't let Steve Smith violate them again. Also, as GG said, the D is generally better this year. Plus, they have Hester this time around, and their D seems to be scoring on D seems even more honed than last year. I do think Carolina could give Chicago a whale of a game, but again echoing GG's sentiment, this team is better than the team that got blindsided this year. They are vulnerable because Grossman reacts like Kurt Warner with a lobotomy under pressure. Another weakness, until I see different, is Lovie Smith's lack of playoff coaching experience. Every year, the playoffs becomes more about one off game plans, which means you need inventive and gutsy coaches.

 

[Tom Baker]

They won't let Steve Smith violate them again.

Steve will be the one making that decision.

 

[kncks12]

Here are my big questions:1) Can anyone in the NFC go into Soldier Field and win? If so, who and why?2) Which team boots Indy from the playoffs this year, SD or NE?

Without a doubt Carolina can win there. They are experienced and they seem to be getting on a roll. They only played a half the last two weeks and won. They are going to be tough!

 

[Pat Patriot]

A KC loss and the AFC could be over other than the seedings.

NFC has a lot of teams that are still in contention but are fading. Nobody really likes Atlanta or Philly right now. I do like the Niners. They are coming on. Are they too young? I would love to see them overtake Seattle. 4 out of 6 games left on the road will make it difficult though.

You're right that a KC win is the wildcard, but you're a little off on how it effects certain teams, IMO.A KC loss is what Jacksonville wants - badly. Jacksonville doesn't want to go into week 17's game at Arrowhead with one win less than the Chiefs, because they'd need to win to make the playoffs. I don't see that happening.

The Bengals also want the Chiefs to lose. Their best hope is the second wildcard, and they have the tiebreaker over KC. But they can't finish with one less win than the Chiefs, which is where they stand at the moment. A win for Cincy and a loss for KC puts them both at 6-5 with the Bengals in the driving seat.

The Jets aren't as much a factor because the two teams won't meet, but the Jets are also a game behind the Chiefs and must root for them to lose. A win for the Chiefs is in no way, shape or form good for the Jets.

As you may have noted, my comments are with the idea that Denver (or possibly San Diego) grab the first wildcard and face the #4 seed on wildcard weekend.

I dont disagree with what you say. I just meant that a KC win brings Denver back to the pack and puts them in a vulnerable position for even making the playoffs. That seemed incomprehensible just a few weeks back. KC win and JAX win puts the Jags tied with both Denver and KC.

 

[BassNBrew]

Here are my big questions:1) Can anyone in the NFC go into Soldier Field and win? If so, who and why?2) Which team boots Indy from the playoffs this year, SD or NE?

1) Steve Smith plus 10 other guys.2) Whichever draws them first.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

They won't let Steve Smith violate them again.

Steve will be the one making that decision.

I guess he decided to do nothing against Seattle last year? Then again, the Panthers had nothing at RB that game, so it would take Foster and Williams both going down to reproduce that scenario.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

2) Which team boots Indy from the playoffs this year, SD or NE?

2) Whichever draws them first.

 

[Southside Stosh]

Here are my big questions:1) Can anyone in the NFC go into Soldier Field and win? If so, who and why?

I could see Dallas take Da Bears at home. The 'Boys D can rattle Grossman and the their 'O' can match Chicago's offensive production.

 

[simmonjm]

Here are my big questions:1) Can anyone in the NFC go into Soldier Field and win? If so, who and why?

I could see Dallas take Da Bears at home. The 'Boys D can rattle Grossman and the their 'O' can match Chicago's offensive production.

Im surprised no one mentioned Dallas earlier. IF (big if) Dallas is able to continue to match the defensive effort that they brought against the Colts I believe they would cause alot of Rex Grossman mistakes. Lets be honest the Jets Defense is alright and Chicago was only able to muster 10 points and 3 of those points came from a botched onside kick. I dont consider the Bears to be a viable superbowl contender until their offense can maintain some kind of consistency.

 

[Bankerguy]

I see the final 4 being:

Chicago

Dallas

Indy

San Diego

 

[simmonjm]

I see the final 4 being:ChicagoDallasIndySan Diego

way to go out on a limb

 

[Bankerguy]

I see the final 4 being:ChicagoDallasIndySan Diego

way to go out on a limb

Sorry...I guess I make something "sexy" up.I think out of anyone Chicago is the one I could see not being there.Their O could lay an egg during the playoffs.