No mo' to play fo' (1 Viewer)

[BoltBacker]

Now that GB isn't going for the undefeated season they are pretty much locked into a first round bye and one would guess they are going to start to rest guys. I think they are the only playoff team with no motivation for the rest of the season but I just wanted to create a list of teams that have no shot of improving their playoff position or making the playoffs.

Playoff position locked:

GB

Out of playoffs:

MIA

BUF

CLE

JAX

IND

PHI

WAS

MIN

CAR

TB

STL

Did I miss anyone? Did I include anyone I shouldn't have?

 

[The Jerk]

GB isn't locked. They could fall to #2 if SF wins last two and GB loses last two.

That said, GB would be locked at #1 if SF loses at SEA on Saturday as GB hosts Chicago on Sunday.

However, GB still would have some motivation to beat the Bears because, well, they're the Bears. And I would assume they don't want to shut down for several weeks with their last game where they were playing to win was easily their worst performance of the season.

 

[The Jerk]

I think you meant to put CLE where you placed CIN.

 

[beaux]

Philadelphia still has an outside shot for the playoffs.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/standings/playoffrace

 

[BoltBacker]

GB isn't locked. They could fall to #2 if SF wins last two and GB loses last two.

They would have the same record and the same conference record. What's the next tie breaker? Record vs common opponents?

 

[BoltBacker]

I think you meant to put CLE where you placed CIN.

You are right, I'll fix that.

 

[The Jerk]

However, GB still would have some motivation to beat the Bears because, well, they're the Bears.

Recall that in 2010 the Bears had nothing to gain by defeating the Packers but took a shot at knocking them out of the playoffs both because they're rivals and because GB was dangerous, as obviously proved to be accurate.Similar situations exist where many divisional rivals will be trying to spoil seasons for their opponents. Perhaps it's not the same motivation as playing for the playoffs or a seed, but it is still something. These games can go either way. If a team with little to nothing to play for gets down a couple of scores, they can pack it in. However, if they stay close, then they can often put forth a great effort for all four quarters.

 

[The Jerk]

Philadelphia still has an outside shot for the playoffs.http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/standings/playoffrace

It's not that far-fetched, as I understand it.Eagles obviously need to win over Cowboys and Redskins.Giants lose to the Jets this week.Giants beat Cowboys next week.

 

[The Jerk]

GB isn't locked. They could fall to #2 if SF wins last two and GB loses last two.

They would have the same record and the same conference record. What's the next tie breaker? Record vs common opponents?

I think you're right, but I also think teams must have at least four common opponents for that to apply, and I think there are only three here: Giants, Lions, RamsAfter common opponents comes strength of victory. Assuming wins for SF and losses for GB, that leaves GB up 82-78 by my math, counting wins for Chicago and Detroit in that 82 number for GB, but those two numbers will increase based on wins by teams SF and GB have defeated, meaning it's out of their hands. So if the Eagles win two games, SF's number goes up by 2. If the Vikings somehow win a game, then GB's number goes up by 2 (two wins over Vikings). If the Giants win two games, both numbers go up by two. And so on.At least that's how I understand it. But I'm not an expert...

 

[BoltBacker]

Philadelphia still has an outside shot for the playoffs.http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/standings/playoffrace

It's not that far-fetched, as I understand it.Eagles obviously need to win over Cowboys and Redskins.Giants lose to the Jets this week.Giants beat Cowboys next week.

I find it kind of shocking. People always harp about how bad the AFC West is but a 6-8 team still has a healthy shot at winning the NFC East with two games left to play.

 

[The Jerk]

Philadelphia still has an outside shot for the playoffs.http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/standings/playoffrace

It's not that far-fetched, as I understand it.Eagles obviously need to win over Cowboys and Redskins.Giants lose to the Jets this week.Giants beat Cowboys next week.

I find it kind of shocking. People always harp about how bad the AFC West is but a 6-8 team still has a healthy shot at winning the NFC East with two games left to play.

The times, they are a-changing.The NFC West went 7-9 against the NFC East, and that includes the Rams at 0-4 and the Cardinals losing the Victor Cruz no-fumble game (not to mention losing at Washington late). Does that call look big now or what? Arizona could be 8-6.

 

[The Jerk]

I find it kind of shocking. People always harp about how bad the AFC West is but a 6-8 team still has a healthy shot at winning the NFC East with two games left to play.

The times, they are a-changing.The NFC West went 7-9 against the NFC East, and that includes the Rams at 0-4 and the Cardinals losing the Victor Cruz no-fumble game (not to mention losing at Washington late). Does that call look big now or what? Arizona could be 8-6.

Of course, the media will still hype the NFC East, when all teams beat each other, as a rugged division, as opposed to the reality that all the teams are deeply flawed. You're so right that if this was any other division -- and certainly a West Division, the spin would be far different.

 

[QuizGuy66]

I think you're right, but I also think teams must have at least four common opponents for that to apply, and I think there are only three here: Giants, Lions, RamsAfter common opponents comes strength of victory. Assuming wins for SF and losses for GB, that leaves GB up 82-78 by my math, counting wins for Chicago and Detroit in that 82 number for GB, but those two numbers will increase based on wins by teams SF and GB have defeated, meaning it's out of their hands. So if the Eagles win two games, SF's number goes up by 2. If the Vikings somehow win a game, then GB's number goes up by 2 (two wins over Vikings). If the Giants win two games, both numbers go up by two. And so on.At least that's how I understand it. But I'm not an expert...

Common Opponents total 5 games so it would apply. Giants, Bucs, Lions, RamsGreen Bay: 1-0 vs Giants 1-1 vs Lions (have to lose for them and SF to be tied), 1-0 vs Tampa Bay, 1-0 vs St. Louis. 4-1 altogetherSan Francisco: 1-0 vs Giants, 1-0 vs Lions, 1-0 vs Tampa Bay, 2-0 vs Rams (have to beat Rams for them and GB to tie). 5-0 altogetherBoth would be 10-2 in the conference. Common games would be next. San Francisco would win that tiebreaker.-QG

 

[The Jerk]

I think you're right, but I also think teams must have at least four common opponents for that to apply, and I think there are only three here: Giants, Lions, RamsAfter common opponents comes strength of victory. Assuming wins for SF and losses for GB, that leaves GB up 82-78 by my math, counting wins for Chicago and Detroit in that 82 number for GB, but those two numbers will increase based on wins by teams SF and GB have defeated, meaning it's out of their hands. So if the Eagles win two games, SF's number goes up by 2. If the Vikings somehow win a game, then GB's number goes up by 2 (two wins over Vikings). If the Giants win two games, both numbers go up by two. And so on.At least that's how I understand it. But I'm not an expert...

Common Opponents total 5 games so it would apply. Giants, Bucs, Lions, RamsGreen Bay: 1-0 vs Giants 1-1 vs Lions (have to lose for them and SF to be tied), 1-0 vs Tampa Bay, 1-0 vs St. Louis. 4-1 altogetherSan Francisco: 1-0 vs Giants, 1-0 vs Lions, 1-0 vs Tampa Bay, 2-0 vs Rams (have to beat Rams for them and GB to tie). 5-0 altogetherBoth would be 10-2 in the conference. Common games would be next. San Francisco would win that tiebreaker.-QG

Thanks. I somehow managed to miss Tampa Bay. Given how they've played recently, though, that's fairly understandable.Do you know how the NFL handles the two games vs. one game thing with the Rams and Lions? Do they take both games? Do they take only the game that matches the same situation road vs. away? I don't know. However, if the NFL matches the Lions game to be just the away game (because that's how SF played them) then this tiebreaker would not resolve the tie. Regardless, the main point holds, that GB has not yet clinched the NFC #1 seed.

 

[QuizGuy66]

I think you're right, but I also think teams must have at least four common opponents for that to apply, and I think there are only three here: Giants, Lions, RamsAfter common opponents comes strength of victory. Assuming wins for SF and losses for GB, that leaves GB up 82-78 by my math, counting wins for Chicago and Detroit in that 82 number for GB, but those two numbers will increase based on wins by teams SF and GB have defeated, meaning it's out of their hands. So if the Eagles win two games, SF's number goes up by 2. If the Vikings somehow win a game, then GB's number goes up by 2 (two wins over Vikings). If the Giants win two games, both numbers go up by two. And so on.At least that's how I understand it. But I'm not an expert...

Common Opponents total 5 games so it would apply. Giants, Bucs, Lions, RamsGreen Bay: 1-0 vs Giants 1-1 vs Lions (have to lose for them and SF to be tied), 1-0 vs Tampa Bay, 1-0 vs St. Louis. 4-1 altogetherSan Francisco: 1-0 vs Giants, 1-0 vs Lions, 1-0 vs Tampa Bay, 2-0 vs Rams (have to beat Rams for them and GB to tie). 5-0 altogetherBoth would be 10-2 in the conference. Common games would be next. San Francisco would win that tiebreaker.-QG

Thanks. I somehow managed to miss Tampa Bay. Given how they've played recently, though, that's fairly understandable.Do you know how the NFL handles the two games vs. one game thing with the Rams and Lions? Do they take both games? Do they take only the game that matches the same situation road vs. away? I don't know. However, if the NFL matches the Lions game to be just the away game (because that's how SF played them) then this tiebreaker would not resolve the tie. Regardless, the main point holds, that GB has not yet clinched the NFC #1 seed.

All the games go into the mix.-QG

 

[TobiasFunke]

Philadelphia still has an outside shot for the playoffs.http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/standings/playoffrace

It's not that far-fetched, as I understand it.Eagles obviously need to win over Cowboys and Redskins.Giants lose to the Jets this week.Giants beat Cowboys next week.

I find it kind of shocking. People always harp about how bad the AFC West is but a 6-8 team still has a healthy shot at winning the NFC East with two games left to play.

The times, they are a-changing.The NFC West went 7-9 against the NFC East, and that includes the Rams at 0-4 and the Cardinals losing the Victor Cruz no-fumble game (not to mention losing at Washington late). Does that call look big now or what? Arizona could be 8-6.

And the Jason Garrett icing his own kicker game, and the Niners' miracle comeback to beat the Eagles. You can't get carried away with the hypos, the NFL is chock full of close games that turn on a play or two. Pretty much every team in the league "could be 8-6" if all the bad breaks had gone in their favor.

 

[The Jerk]

Philadelphia still has an outside shot for the playoffs.http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/standings/playoffrace

It's not that far-fetched, as I understand it.Eagles obviously need to win over Cowboys and Redskins.Giants lose to the Jets this week.Giants beat Cowboys next week.

I find it kind of shocking. People always harp about how bad the AFC West is but a 6-8 team still has a healthy shot at winning the NFC East with two games left to play.

The times, they are a-changing.The NFC West went 7-9 against the NFC East, and that includes the Rams at 0-4 and the Cardinals losing the Victor Cruz no-fumble game (not to mention losing at Washington late). Does that call look big now or what? Arizona could be 8-6.

And the Jason Garrett icing his own kicker game, and the Niners' miracle comeback to beat the Eagles. You can't get carried away with the hypos, the NFL is chock full of close games that turn on a play or two. Pretty much every team in the league "could be 8-6" if all the bad breaks had gone in their favor.

I still think the fact that the Niners, Cardinals and Seahawks are 7-5 against the NFC East to be an indicator that the NFC West is on the upswing and/or the NFC East is on the downswing. Exactly how far and long these swings last are hard to project. Clearly, the NFC West is not the complete joke it was last season, and in fact, I dare say the NFC West is borderline respectable. And they got there much faster than just about anyone expected.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Philadelphia still has an outside shot for the playoffs.http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/standings/playoffrace

It's not that far-fetched, as I understand it.Eagles obviously need to win over Cowboys and Redskins.Giants lose to the Jets this week.Giants beat Cowboys next week.

I find it kind of shocking. People always harp about how bad the AFC West is but a 6-8 team still has a healthy shot at winning the NFC East with two games left to play.

The times, they are a-changing.The NFC West went 7-9 against the NFC East, and that includes the Rams at 0-4 and the Cardinals losing the Victor Cruz no-fumble game (not to mention losing at Washington late). Does that call look big now or what? Arizona could be 8-6.

And the Jason Garrett icing his own kicker game, and the Niners' miracle comeback to beat the Eagles. You can't get carried away with the hypos, the NFL is chock full of close games that turn on a play or two. Pretty much every team in the league "could be 8-6" if all the bad breaks had gone in their favor.

I still think the fact that the Niners, Cardinals and Seahawks are 7-5 against the NFC East to be an indicator that the NFC West is on the upswing and/or the NFC East is on the downswing. Exactly how far and long these swings last are hard to project. Clearly, the NFC West is not the complete joke it was last season, and in fact, I dare say the NFC West is borderline respectable. And they got there much faster than just about anyone expected.

Absolutely, I agree with that.In the preseason I thought the NFC East looked like a one-team division. The Giants had serious injury issues, especially on the defensive side, and Dallas had done virtually nothing to improve their terrible defense from last year other than bringing in a blowhard to run it. Turns out I was off by one: it's a zero-team division.