Well folks, there are seven weeks to go in this year's season. 12 teams will go on, with 20 looking on to tee-times, hockey, and becoming trade-bait.
Who are the 12 that are going to make the dance? And does your team still have a chance?
Let's break it down, first comes the AFC.
1. Tennessee Titans—Not much of a surprise here, as they're still undefeated. About the only questions surrounding the Titans, are can they go 16-0, and what happens if Kerry Collins gets hurt?
2. New York Jets—After taking down the Patriots, it was a bit of a shocker. But the great question is, was the loss to the Raiders the wake-up call that the coaching staff needed?
3. Pittsburgh Steelers—This team is starting to run out of steam. After having a killer defense, the games against the Giants and Indy showed there are cracks in the Steel Curtain 2.0. If it continues, this team could be in trouble come playoff time.
4. Denver/San Diego—I put these two together, for simple reasons. These two clubs have to fight each other in Week 17, and odds are good, the winner will take the division.
Wild Card slots
5. New England Patriots—They still have a shot at the division lead, but as things go, they're already fighting uphill. Add into the fact that any team in the AFC East could challenge for the division lead, it's possible to see three playoff seeds getting in from the AFC East.
6. Baltimore Ravens—As long as the Ravens keep Joe Flacco alive and healthy, and the defense keeps teams making turnovers, the Ravens could get surpass the Steelers for the division, and keep going.
Hopeful for the table
As mentioned, Buffalo, Miami, and Indy all could get back to the playoffs as wild cards. Buffalo and Miami have an easier task, as they could also run the board, and go for a division. You could put the loser of the Denver/San Diego into this mix, but it'll depend on if the teams are playing at 7-8, or 8-7 head to head.
- B/R Ticket Guide
Looking to the Draft
These clubs have little or no shot at the postseason, so now they are out to crash the party, or test out rookies. Teams like Jacksonville, Cleveland, Houston, Oakland, Cinci, and Kansas City will be testing out the last seven weeks. Of these, Jacksonville does have four wins and a wild card is two wins out. Possible, but doubtful.
As for the NFC, here's the top six.
1. New York Giants—For a team that was supposed to be a figment of last season's imagination, they've done good, only losing one game to the Browns. Can they repeat? I wouldn't bet against them.
2. Carolina Panthers—Ok, at 7-2, this is a team that is both lucky and good. Lucky, with last second wins against the Chargers to open the season, against the Raiders, who had no offense to win the game with, and good, witnessed by wins over the Falcons, Chiefs, and New Orleans.
3. Arizona Cardinals—Similar in makeup to the Panthers, they seem to find a way to win, either because their opponent can't get a clue (49ers), or, they put on a clinic, like against the Rams. The question mark remains, though, since they got lit up by the Jets for 56 points...and they played the Cowboys tough, knocking Tony Romo out.
4. Chicago Bears—The NFL's version, for all purposes, of survivor. You have a division with the Bears, Vikings, Packers, and Lions. So far, the Bears have immunity, but if another challenge comes along, who joins the Lions in the bottom two slots?
And the Wild Cards
5. Tampa Bay Bucs—You have to admit, when you can make a rookie QB look silly in his second game in (Matt Ryan), you're doing something right.
6. Atlanta Falcons—I'm giving them the edge against the Redskins, for a few factors. The Falcons seem to enjoy playing surprise week after week, but as well...the Redskins signed DeAngelo Hall.
In the Hunt
Again, the Redskins are there, and it could come down to a win or two here or there. The Vikings, as well, are dancing with the Bears, trying to take the division lead, and both the Bucs and Falcons are right behind the Panthers.
Wasn't it just three weeks ago when people thought the NFC East would have three in the playoffs? Now it might be the NFC South...cross your fingers. Can't count out the Cowboys as well, if Romo comes back strong, or the Eagles.
Looking towards the Draft
I know the Packers fans will want to grill me...please, use a lemon butter. The Packers have been off and on again...and I don't think it has anything to do with the one called Brett. Aaron Rodgers is a good kid, give him time.
After all, Brett didn't win it all until the late '90s. As for teams like the Lions, 49ers, Seahawks, Rams, and Saints, the Saints might have the strongest offense, but it's haphazard. Some weeks it shows up, some weeks its nowhere to be found.
Final thoughts
Well, for the record, It would be fun to see who would win between the Giants and Titans, but as well, can you imagine a Panthers-Titans matchup?
The Titans will lose at least one game this year. But I don't see them making the Super Bowl if Kerry Collins gets hurt.
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about 1 month ago
You pick both NFC South teams to grab the wild card? The nFC North is too buff@
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/82034-nfl-playoff-picks-will-your-team-make-it/poll_results#poll
from about 1 month ago
Thomas, take a look at the standings:
Both 2nd and 3rd place teams in the NFC South are at 6 wins each.
In the NFC North, behind Chicago, you have a 5 and 4 win team.
Now, depending on how the last 7 weeks pans out, maybe the vikings can overtake the Bucs in wins. Or the Falcons.
But I haven't seen a good steady play out of minnesota this year....beating the Lions barely didn't give me a measure of hope.
And I got to watch Green Bay go down in flames twice. Once to the Titans, and this last week's game, due to a field goal miss. Green Bay may have needed to turn the page on Favre....but i'm not sold on Rodgers.
about 1 month ago
I still think the NFC East will send at 2 teams into the playoffs, there will be 2 teams there with 11 or more wins when it's all said and done. But it really is so open at this point, a couple teams are gonna get on a roll, and a couple are gonna go in the tank. And at this time of the season, there are always surprises as to which teams do what.
It's gonna be a great second half run for sure!
Nice stuff though, I like your breakdowns, nice job!
from about 1 month ago
thanks Craig.
Ya, that is part of the problem in this stage of the year, you have several teams that could really throw things into a spin. Say if the Vikings suddenly win 5 in a row, or if the Panthers lost Delhomme, how would that affect a team? What if the Falcons suddenly hit the wall again? Even though it's a long shot, imagine if the Titans lose Collins, and lose 5 straight games.....would be a first. Then again, with all the odd games this season....about the only thing I would count out as not happening, is santa claus blocking a kick in Philadelphia. Maybe in Denver, but not Philly.
from about 1 month ago
Yeah man, you see my point! Santa's a white guy though, so he can't jump, he ain't blocking any kicks anywhere!
about 1 month ago
I'd love to see the Panthers come out of the NFC. I have a man-crush on Jake Delhomme.
That said, it isn't going to happen. The Giants are unstoppable. Eli made a deal with Satan. Traded his useless soul for the ability to be extremely useful in the clutch.
Nice job.
from about 1 month ago
So, that's what the special meeting in New York between Namath and Eli was about....
Just curious then, if that means Eli will only win one, have bad knees, and wind up shaving his legs?
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