2016 NFL Playoff Picture

Well here we are, 3 weeks to go and here's what we go so far:


NFCE: Cowboys (11-2), Giants (9-4), Redskins (7-5-1), Eagles (5-8)
NFCN: Lions (9-4), Vikings (7-6), Packers (7-6), Bears (3-10)
NFCS: Falcons (8-5), Buccaneers (8-5), Saints (5-8), Panthers (5-8)
NFCW: Seahawks (8-4-1), Cardinals (5-7-1), Rams (4-9), 49ers (1-12)

AFCE: Patriots***** (11-2), Dolphins (8-5), Bills (6-7), Jets (4-9)
AFCN: Steelers (8-5), Ravens (7-6), Bengals (5-7-1), Browns (0-13)
AFCS: Texan (7-6), Titans (7-6), Colts (6-7), Jaguars (2-11)
AFCW: Chiefs (10-3), Raiders (10-3), Broncos (8-5), Chargers (5-8)


Playoff Picture:
NFC
1. Cowboys (clinched playoff spot) - could slide to W/C round if they lose and Giants win
2. Lions - tough schedule could move them down or even out of the playoffs
3. Seahawks - one of the easiest remaining 3 games, Rams, Cardinals, 49ers are a combined 10-27-1. They could slide up to #2
4. Falcons - another easy schedule 49ers, Panthers, Saints are a combined 11-28
5. Giants - Win out and some outside help could push them atop the NFCE
6. Buccaneers - a team just starting to hit their stride. Standing in their way are the Cowboys, Saints, Panthers
Outside looking in:
Redskins (Panthers, @Bears, Giants)
Vikings (Colts, @Packers, Bears)
Packers (@Bears, Vikings, @Lions)

AFC
1. Patriots* - with remaining games @Broncos, Jets, @Dolphins, they could slide to the #2 seed, but victories over AFC opponents will keep them in the top 2
2. Chiefs - schedule isn't the hardest, but the way the Titans and Broncos have been playing they could slide down from 2.
3. Steelers - they control their destiny for the AFCN. However, their next two games are @Bengals and Ravens.Win out and the crown is yours. If the Chiefs lose 2 more games, then the Steelers could move up to the #2
4. Texans - with remaining games Jaguars, Bengals, @Titans they should be able to clinch the AFCS easily
5. Raiders - they could lose their next 3, @Chargers, Colts, @Broncos and slide out of the playoffs altogether. It's possible and so is the Browns getting a W. I wouldn't count on it.
6. Broncos - this has to be the toughest remaining schedule with Patriots*, @Chiefs, Raiders on the list, I can see them finishing 8-8, out of the playoffs and opening the door for either the Dolphins, Ravens, or Titans.
Outside looking in:
Dolphins (@Jets, @ Bills, Patriots*)
Ravens (Eagles, @Steelers, @Bengals)
Titans (@Chiefs, @Jaguars, Texans)

That Dolphins loss could come back to haunt us. The Dolphins may be in for a slide though, as Tannehill is out with an ACL sprain.

jak341 wrote:

That Dolphins loss could come back to haunt us. The Dolphins may be in for a slide though, as Tannehill is out with an ACL sprain.

Yeah, looking at their schedule, they could go 1-2 depending on how Moore plays. He didn't look bad the other day, but he wasn't in for 4 quarters.

Jets can do us a favour tonight...

Well, somewhat predictably, the J-E-T-S are S-H-I-T'ing the bed.

I need a 4 letter word for loss, starts with J

Heading in to this week's games here's where the playoff picture is according to NFL.COM:

Playoff Picture:
NFC
1. Cowboys (clinched playoff spot) - could slide to W/C round if they lose and Giants win, needs to win one of last two to be #1 seed
2. Seahawks - won their division, clinch BYE with Win and DET & ATL loss
3. Falcons - another easy schedule 49ers, Panthers, Saints are a combined 11-28.
4. Lions - as great as their season has been, it's more than likely they'll not make the playoffs with the surging Packers
Falcons - another easy schedule 49ers, Panthers, Saints are a combined 11-28
5. Giants - Win out and some outside help could push them atop the NFCE. Controlling one's destiny is exciting (for the fans it can be very stressful)
6. Packers - they have become the team no one wants to play (according to some talking heads). Looking at their remaining schedule, there's no reason for them to not make the playoffs. Unless they go all Cleveland on their fans.
Outside looking in:
Buccaneers (@Saints, Panthers): win your last two, get some help from teams playing Detroit or the Packers and you can slide in to the 6th seed)
Redskins (@Bears, Giants): considering you need a lot of help, your season is pretty much over
Vikings (@Packers, Bears): The season looked so promising and now you need a lot of help to make it in to the playoffs

AFC
1. Patriots** - Playing in the AFC lEast, it's no surprise they're the #1 seed. With a lack of strong competition and minimal injuries, they're on the path for another run at the Super Bowl. The question is, which team will sacrifice to end it? KC? Pittsburgh? Baltimore? Dolphins? Broncos?
2. Raiders - currently hold the #2 spot, but can swap with the Patriots***** if thhey lose one of their remaing two games.
3. Steelers - This is what the NFL wanted when they changed the schedule to have more division games at the end of the season. For many years, the Steelers and Ravens have made the list as a "Winner Takes All" game. This one is no different. Win, you're in as AFCN Champions. Lose, and you're hoping the bungals can beat the ratbirds to help you win the crown or a few other teams lose along the way. If not, then you'll be out of the playoffs.
4. Texans - I'm still surprised they hold the AFCS lead. With remaining games Bengals, @Titans they should be able to complete the dream season. QB Controversy aside, the team has rallied, and could be a first round playoff game threat to whoever they play.
5. Chiefs - who would've thunk it, the Chiefs would fall this past weekend. Now they must fight to keep their playoff hopes alive. It's easy, win and your in. Mess up, and you're hoping someone else helps you out.
6. Dolphins - what a long strange trips it's been for them this season. A few games of absolute brilliance and some games of brown-ish moments. A Steelers victory this weekend will help solidify their playoff hopes.
Outside looking in:
Ravens (@Steelers, @Bengals) - win your next two games and you win the AFCN. Lose this week and you have to hope for some Christmas and New Year's magic
Titans (@Jaguars, Texans) - in a holding pattern and they could sneak in as the AFCS Champ if they can win their next two.
Broncos (@Chiefs, Raiders) - the toughest schedule for those on the outside looking in. Doesn't look promising but stranger things have happened.
Colts/Bills - both teams at 7-7, need more than a miracle, they need an immaculate heavenly event.

Texans won the AFC South. The Bungles bungled the game, as predicted. As much as I like seeing the Bengals lose, our friend Randy Bullock missed the FG for the win.

jak341 wrote:

Texans won the AFC South. The Bungles bungled the game, as predicted. As much as I like seeing the Bengals lose, our friend Randy Bullock missed the FG for the win.

He can blame Hill for the miss. Curse of the Towel

The NFC is still waiting to secure two more playoff spots the for the most part the table is set:
1. Dallas Cowboys
2. Falcons
3. Seahawks - could drop to 4th if they lose
4. Packers - could drop to 6th if they lose to GB
5. NY Giants
6. Lions - need to win in GB to stay in the playoffs
IN THE HUNT:
Redskins (8-6-1) - need to win and hope GB beats the Lions
Buccaneers (8-7) - need to win and ask the football gods for a lot of favors

The AFC contenders are set, ranking is the only thing left pending:
1. Patriots*****
2. Raiders - need to beat the Broncos in order to remain #2, otherwise they could drop to #5
3. Steelers
4. Texans
5. Chiefs - with a victory and a Raiders loss, they would move up to #2
6. Dolphins

Wild Card Round (currently)
NFC:
Lions @ Seahawks
Giants @ Packers

AFC:
Dolphins @ Steelers
Chiefs @ Texans