NFL Playoffs Outlook Discussion

[bukie]

I wanted to start this last week, but it was all still too complicated and early. Now that things are starting to straighten out a bit (although there are still 24 teams (as of week 16) that have a shot at the playoffs), it's as good a time as any to take a look at the possibilities.

 

First, the NFC (since I am a Bears homer):

 

• IN:
  1.*yz-Chicago (13-2)
  2. yz-New Orleans (10-6)
  3. y-Philadelphia (10-6)
  4. y-Seattle (8-7)
  5. x-Dallas (9-7)
  6. x-NY Giants (8-8)
   
  x-Clinched playoff berth; y-Clinched division title; z-Clinched first-round bye; *-Clinched home field advantage

- First round playoff matchups: NY Giants at Philadelphia, Dallas at Seattle.

 

ELIMINATED: Green Bay - WEEK 17, Carolina - WEEK 17, Atlanta - WEEK 17, St. Louis - WEEK 17, San Francisco - WEEK 16, Minnesota - WEEK 16, Washington - WEEK 14, Tampa Bay - WEEK 14, Arizona - WEEK 14, Detroit - WEEK 13

 

Now, the AFC:

 

• IN:
  1. yz*-San Diego (14-2)
  2. yz-Baltimore (13-3)
  3. y-Indianapolis (12-4)
  4. y-New England (12-4)
  5. x-NY Jets (10-6)
  6. x-Kansas City (9-7)
   
  y- Clinched division title; z-Clinched first round bye
  

- Indianapolis is the 3 seed because of a head to head win over New England.

 

ELIMINATED: Denver - WEEK 17, Tennessee - WEEK 17, Cincinnati - WEEK 17, Jacksonville - WEEK 17, Pittsburgh - WEEK 16, Buffalo - WEEK 16, Miami - WEEK 15, Houston - WEEK 14, Cleveland - WEEK 14, Oakland - WEEK 12

 

Playoff Matchups:

 

NFC: NY Giants at Philadelphia, Seattle at Dallas

AFC: Kansas City at Indianapolis, NY Jets at New England

Edited January 1, 2007 by bukie

[Z38Cubs]

This has to be the most clustered playoff picture ever, 75% of the teams still alive. Just amazing. Anyway, I think Philly wins out, takes the NFC East and the number 3 seed, while Seattle holds on and gets the number 4 seed. Dallas finishes 10-6 and gets the number 5 seed, and the Giants sneak by with the final playoff seed despite being 8-8.

 

As far as the AFC, I think the Bengals beat Denver this week, and the Jets win out. Although I think it may all mean nothing in the end, as I think San Diego will just ruin every team it faces.

[bukie]

Some nice sites on the NFL playoff outlook and scenarios:

 

NFL Playoff Status

DVOA Playoff Odds Report

[Andy]

Panthers pretty much have no shot, although they could finish 5-1 in the division, which is something to shoot for, anyway.

[David]

Panthers pretty much have no shot, although they could finish 5-1 in the division, which is something to shoot for, anyway.

 

Wow... 5-1 in that division and no playoffs.. That's just sick.

[USSoccer]

My #1 concern is which date and time the Bears divisional game is going to be.

[Andy]

Panthers pretty much have no shot, although they could finish 5-1 in the division, which is something to shoot for, anyway.

 

Wow... 5-1 in that division and no playoffs.. That's just sick.

Well, a 3-7 out of division record will do that to you...

[MembersOnlyJacket]

The NFC Wild Card picture could be great on the final week. If Atlanta beats Carolina this weekend, Dallas beats Philly, and the Giants lose to the Saints, you have a 3 way tie going into the last week of 8-7 teams. The Falcons play in Philly on that last weekend and that would determine one of the playoff berths.

 

It then becomes a cluster between the Giants, Green Bay/Minnesota, SF, and St Louis for that last spot in the NFC.

 

That would be a great weekend of football - and that's just the NFC!

[Mizzou]

Someone help me out here...

 

I'm a Rams fan who is holding out hope that there just might be a way for them to make the playoffs. Who should I root for Thursday night between the 6-8 Packers and the 6-8 Vikings? Or does it even matter? I'm thinking it doesn't matter who wins, but I'm not completely sure.

[bukie]

Someone help me out here...

 

I'm a Rams fan who is holding out hope that there just might be a way for them to make the playoffs. Who should I root for Thursday night between the 6-8 Packers and the 6-8 Vikings? Or does it even matter? I'm thinking it doesn't matter who wins, but I'm not completely sure.

 

St. Louis loses all tiebreakers except simple head-to-head against Green Bay. This is what you have to root for:

 

San Francisco loses to either Arizona in week 16 or Denver in week 17

Carolina defeats Atlanta in week 16

New Orleans defeats NY Giants in week 16

St. Louis defeats Washington in week 16

Philadelphia defeats Atlanta in week 17

Washington defeats NY Giants in week 17

St. Louis defeats Minnesota in week 17

 

The Minnesota/Green Bay contest becomes meaningless then, because if Green Bay won out to go 8-8, St. Louis would win the head-to-head tiebreaker. If Minnesota won, St. Louis would still need to beat them week 17 to go to the playoffs anyway.

 

If any of the above fails to happen, St. Louis is eliminated.

[Mizzou]

So you're sayin there's a chance!

 

Thanks for the info!

[oldstyle81]

stupid Jim Memelo on WGN was trying to make it sound that Green Bay would make a lot of noise if they got into the playoffs

 

stupid Jime memelo also failed to say that they havent beatin a team with a winning record yet

[rocket]

who cares if the bengals get into the playoffs they'll lose in the first round

[TruffleShuffle]

who cares if the bengals get into the playoffs they'll lose in the first round

 

that's probably what some steelers fans said last year, after all, who's going to win three games on the road???

[rocket]

who cares if the bengals get into the playoffs they'll lose in the first round

 

that's probably what some steelers fans said last year, after all, who's going to win three games on the road???

 

well they were wrong, i'll be right.

[Andy]

I'll eat my own right foot if anyone but SD gets out of the AFC

[SouthSideRyan]

I'll eat my own right foot if anyone but SD gets out of the AFC

 

That's crazy. I think San Diego is the favorite, but I'd take the field straight up against San Diego.

[TruffleShuffle]

I'll eat my own right foot if anyone but SD gets out of the AFC

 

That's crazy. I think San Diego is the favorite, but I'd take the field straight up against San Diego.

 

same here.

[UMFan83]

I'll eat my own right foot if anyone but SD gets out of the AFC

 

Would you have said the same thing about Indy last year? The playoffs are a crapshoot mostly

[Andy]

I'll eat my own right foot if anyone but SD gets out of the AFC

 

Would you have said the same thing about Indy last year? The playoffs are a crapshoot mostly

The Colts are the Colts, of course I wouldn't have said the same thing last year :wink:

[Flames24Rulz]

Pack need to win the final 2

Giants need to lose at home against the Saints and on the road against Washington

St. Louis needs to lose one of their remaining games

Atlanta needs to lose one of their remaining games

 

As long as we're still in it going into Week 17, that's all I can ask for. I'm really going to want the Rams and Bills games back, ugh.

[Jazz]

wow, 4 game losing streak and the Broncos are still in the playoff race, and only have to win out to get the 5th seed.

[bukie]

The Vikings have been eliminated from playoff contention with the 9-7 loss tonight, as the best they could do is tie for the 6 seed with the Packers and lose the tiebreaker.

 

It is still possible for all NFC playoff spots to be clinched this weekend if:

- Philadelphia defeats Dallas

- NY Giants defeat New Orleans

- Atlanta loses to Carolina

- Seattle defeats San Diego OR San Francisco loses to Arizona

[Flames24Rulz]

Pack need to win the final 2

Giants need to lose at home against the Saints and on the road against Washington

St. Louis needs to lose one of their remaining games

Atlanta needs to lose one of their remaining games

 

As long as we're still in it going into Week 17, that's all I can ask for. I'm really going to want the Rams and Bills games back, ugh.

 

Actually, I should revise that about the Rams. If three or more teams tie at 8-8 in the NFC (hopefully if the case were us, Atlanta, and St. Louis), we'd have the tiebreaker on all of them based on conference record. So as long as we beat the Bears, the Giants lose out, and the Falcons lose just one of their last two, we'll be in. Still a long shot, but if the Saints beat the Giants this weekend, we'll definitely be alive for week 17.

[NCCubFan]

Actually, I should revise that about the Rams. If three or more teams tie at 8-8 in the NFC (hopefully if the case were us, Atlanta, and St. Louis), we'd have the tiebreaker on all of them based on conference record. So as long as we beat the Bears, the Giants lose out, and the Falcons lose just one of their last two, we'll be in. Still a long shot, but if the Saints beat the Giants this weekend, we'll definitely be alive for week 17.

OK, you can come back from la-la land any time now. :D