Predict the playoff standings

[yo123]

Of course it doesn't hold any weight, it's just my opinion, which is what this board is for.

But Minnesota beat them decisively twice, Detroit didn't lead at any point in either game. I don't think the Vikings are going to make the playoffs, but they have a 2 game lead on the Lions and while a lot is being made about the Vikings schedule Detroit's is basically just as hard. Minnesota's playoff chances may be slim, but Detroit's chances are much worse.

Green Bay
Houston
Indy
@Green Bay
@Arizona
Atlanta
Chicago

They would have to go at least 5-2 against that schedule, possibly 6-1. And they just flat out aren't very good. That's why I'm saying zero chance.

[bucfan12]

Originally Posted by DeadEagle

That'll be the barometer. As well as a key game, if the Bucs have any plans on making a run. A win vs Atlanta not only makes a statement, it also would put them right in the thick of the NFC picture. Again though, the pass defense is not good at all, and that's a tough thing to overcome.


That game will come down to Bucs secondary vs Julio & Roddy as well as Muscle Hamster vs Falcons run D.




I still think Denver is going to light us up.

Oh please don't. I cannot imagine that nightmare. Our secondary vs juilo jones and roddy white. Even tony Gonzalez. That'll be the test for our dline and offense to help them out.

[D-Unit]

Dallas is going to the playoffs people. They might only lose one more game the rest of the regular season! ;)

vs Cleveland (2-7)
What a nice way to come back home from a win in Philly to play the lowly Browns. This game could be Dallas' first blow out of the season as they reach .500 on the season. The Browns simply don't have the talent and experience to match up to our hungry veteran squad.

vs Washington (3-6)
Shanny has already mailed it in this season, but he will make sure his team is amped up to play the Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day. RG3 could really put on a show in his hometown state, so I think this is a dangerous match up... but the luster from his early season success has worn off as the Skins have lost 3 straight and the latest one to the Carolina Cupcakes. I think Dallas gets a win on this day of Thanks giving.

vs Philadelphia (3-5)
It's December and we all know what that means? Dallas sucks in the December cold weather. But this December, we play Philly in the warm comforts of our own home. That cold weather advantage that Philly has had in year's past will not be as strong a factor. They could be a team reelin' at this point too. Washington has a Bye Week to prepare for them in Week 11. If they lose to the Redskins and/or Carolina before this game, their minds could be mud.

@ Cincinnati (3-5)
Cincy is courageous. I give them that. They fight hard. They have the benefit of playing at home and this will be a cold one. But the Bengals are a very beatable team. They have one means of attack and that is AJ Green. Dallas can attack them many different ways... plus, we get to target Terence Newman all day. Close game, but I say Dallas wins by 4 points.

vs Pittsburgh (5-3)
The only team with a winning record left on our schedule. This ain't a great Pittsburgh team. They're very good, but not great. This is the game I could see us losing, but I think we have the secondary that can frustrate Big Ben and being at home makes the Steelers more beatable as they are more tough to beat at home. Especially in December. The fact that this game is at home gives me slight hope for a win.

vs New Orleans (3-5)
The Saints have shown some signs of life as of late, but they still have more defensive issues than Dallas does. If Dallas has a healthy DeMarco Murray, they could gash the league's worst run defense. The Saints also have the 4th worst pass defense while Dallas is a Top 5 pass defense every week.

@ Washington (3-6)
Dallas will be fighting to get to the playoffs and Redskins won't be. Motivation factor alone will be enough to get the best out of the Cowboys while the Redskins will already have one eye towards the offseason. That said, I still expect a fight in this big rival game.

[bucfan12]

^^^ predicting the cowboys is like predicting the weather. You never know what your going to get especially with romo at qb.

[Ness]

Dallas could make it. That's the good news. The bad news is that the team never plays up to their potential most of the time. More like half of the time.

[J-Mike88]

If Detroit wins at home this week vs Green Bay (and the point spread is suspiciously low, baiting people to take GB, which points towards Detroit), then it's wide open for 6-7 teams and 2 spots.

[D-Unit]

Originally Posted by Ness

Dallas could make it. That's the good news. The bad news is that the team never plays up to their potential most of the time. More like half of the time.

Well, I've got some good news for you this year Ness!

[LonghornsLegend]

Dallas isn't making the playoffs anyway due to losing to Seattle. And they'll lose at least 3 of those games anyway, this has never been a team to go on a winning streak, ever. If we beat Cleveland you can bet Washington will beat us.

[bucfan12]

Originally Posted by LonghornsLegend

Dallas isn't making the playoffs anyway due to losing to Seattle. And they'll lose at least 3 of those games anyway, this has never been a team to go on a winning streak, ever. If we beat Cleveland you can bet Washington will beat us.

Dallas needs to complete the NFC east sweep to somehow win the division. The way things go I don't see the NFC east getting a wild card.

[D-Unit]

Dallas will make the playoffs and people will realize it when they see this team with DeMarco Murray back in action.

[Grizzlegom]

Originally Posted by D-Unit

Dallas will make the playoffs and people will realize it when they see this team with DeMarco Murray back in action.

He'll just turn around and get hurt again like he has his entire career.

[AcheTen]

I'll be shocked if the Giants, Falcons, and Bears aren't 3 of the 4 division winners in the NFC.

In the AFC, the Patriots, Texans, and Broncos are all locks to win their divisions.

So that leaves us with the NFC West winner and the AFC North winner. The NFC West will be won by either the 49ers or the Seahawks, and at this point I could see either one making that late-season push to win the division. The loser of that race will win one of the two wild card spots. The AFC North will be won by either the Ravens or Steelers, with the loser settling for a wild-card.

So that basically means that the playoffs will be seeded thusly:

NFC East: Giants
NFC North: Bears
NFC South: Falcons
NFC West: 49ers or Seahawks
WC1: Packers
WC2: 49ers or Seahawks or *maybe* the Bucs


AFC East: Patriots
AFC North: Steelers or Ravens
AFC South: Texans
AFC West: Broncos
WC1: Steelers or Ravens
WC2: Dolphins or Colts

[Cardinal96]

With the Roethlisberger injury, I have adjusted my predicted AFC standings:

1. Houston Texans
2. Denver Broncos
3. Baltimore Ravens
4. New England Patriots
5. Indianapolis Colts
6. Pittsburgh Steelers

[Ness]

Originally Posted by J-Mike88

If Detroit wins at home this week vs Green Bay (and the point spread is suspiciously low, baiting people to take GB, which points towards Detroit), then it's wide open for 6-7 teams and 2 spots.

Detroit has 7 games left and 5 of them are at home. That's pretty fortunate.

And if Detroit gets to .500, they're in the mix too. Any team at .500 or better has a chance in my mind.

[gpngc]

Originally Posted by LonghornsLegend

Dallas isn't making the playoffs anyway due to losing to Seattle. And they'll lose at least 3 of those games anyway, this has never been a team to go on a winning streak, ever. If we beat Cleveland you can bet Washington will beat us.

The NFC East might feature an 8-8 division winner.

The Giants are unraveling right now and expected to bounce back big-time.

People forget that the Giants were EXTREMELY fortunate to win two coin-flip games in which Dallas made major ridiculous mistakes to lose last season. Austin losing the ball in the lights was RIDICULOUS and a huge reason the Giants made the playoffs.

My point is that the Giants are not some dominant team that we can expect to pick themselves up and all of the sudden fix their issues. Their D is suspect and the passing game has issues.

With the latest Roethlisberger injury, there are three fascinating races left this year:

1) The NFC 6-seed.
a) Seattle
b) Tampa Bay
c) New Orleans
d) Dallas/NYG
e) Minnesota
f) Something crazy (STL)

2+3) The AFC 5 and 6-seeds.
a) Pittsburgh*
b) Indy
c) Here's where it gets extremely interesting.
It's as if NO ONE wants that spot. The Steelers might actually be the front-runners even IF Ben misses a lot of time. And Indy isn't a juggernaut. They could go on a losing streak as well.

EVERY TEAM IN THE AFC WITH SIX LOSSES OR LESS, most pronounced dead by the media, are extremely fortunate to have an opportunity right now to pull a rabbit out of a hat... this includes NYJ, CIN, SD, MIA, BUF - everyone EXCEPT CLE, JAC and KC.

Remember, the teams currently in the lead (IND + PIT) should both start losing soon.

It's possible, and even likely that AT LEAST one wild card in the AFC is 8-8. In fact, a 7-9 team MIGHT get the bid if no one steps up.

[Cardinal96]

Originally Posted by gpngc

Remember, the teams currently in the lead (IND + PIT) should both start losing soon.

It's possible, and even likely that AT LEAST one wild card in the AFC is 8-8. In fact, a 7-9 team MIGHT get the bid if no one steps up.

Pittsburgh, yeah.

I disagree on the Colts actually. Yes, this game against New England is a tough one. But look at the rest of their games. Patriots, Buffalo, Detroit, Tennessee, Houston, KC and Houston. They will likely be favored against Buffalo, Detroit, Tennessee and KC. And the last game against Houston is at home and Houston may be resting their starters.

I expect the Colts to go 10-6 or 9-7 and that should be enough for a playoff spot.

[gpngc]

You don't have to sell me on the Colts - I predicted them to make the playoffs and was ridiculed for it.

But I don't expect them to win all the games they are favored in. They've won a bunch of close games against bad teams. The schedule going forward is much tougher.

[D-Unit]

Originally Posted by gpngc

The NFC East might feature an 8-8 division winner.

The Giants are unraveling right now and expected to bounce back big-time.

People forget that the Giants were EXTREMELY fortunate to win two coin-flip games in which Dallas made major ridiculous mistakes to lose last season. Austin losing the ball in the lights was RIDICULOUS and a huge reason the Giants made the playoffs.

My point is that the Giants are not some dominant team that we can expect to pick themselves up and all of the sudden fix their issues. Their D is suspect and the passing game has issues.

With the latest Roethlisberger injury, there are three fascinating races left this year:

1) The NFC 6-seed.
a) Seattle
b) Tampa Bay
c) New Orleans
d) Dallas/NYG
e) Minnesota
f) Something crazy (STL)

2+3) The AFC 5 and 6-seeds.
a) Pittsburgh*
b) Indy
c) Here's where it gets extremely interesting.
It's as if NO ONE wants that spot. The Steelers might actually be the front-runners even IF Ben misses a lot of time. And Indy isn't a juggernaut. They could go on a losing streak as well.

EVERY TEAM IN THE AFC WITH SIX LOSSES OR LESS, most pronounced dead by the media, are extremely fortunate to have an opportunity right now to pull a rabbit out of a hat... this includes NYJ, CIN, SD, MIA, BUF - everyone EXCEPT CLE, JAC and KC.

Remember, the teams currently in the lead (IND + PIT) should both start losing soon.

It's possible, and even likely that AT LEAST one wild card in the AFC is 8-8. In fact, a 7-9 team MIGHT get the bid if no one steps up.

Dallas has 5 of their last 7 games at home and only one against a team with a winning record....which is the Steelers who just lost Big Ben. We ARE going to the playoffs!

[dan77733]

AFC
1. Texans (14-2)
2. Ravens (12-4)
3. Broncos (12-4)
4. Patriots (12-4)
5. Colts (10-6)
6. Steelers (10-6)

NFC
1. Falcons (14-2)
2. 49ers (12-3-1)
3. Bears (12-4)
4. Giants (10-6)
5. Seahawks (10-6)
6. Packers (10-6)

[LonghornsLegend]

Originally Posted by D-Unit

Dallas has 5 of their last 7 games at home and only one against a team with a winning record....which is the Steelers who just lost Big Ben. We ARE going to the playoffs!

Lol man, you really need to stop. Because you know better for one, for two we don't have anything resembling a home field advantage as we are actually worse at home, and your the most negative person ever after a loss so beating Foles shouldn't have you that pumped up ha. I mean sure, on paper it lines up great, but let's see what that matters when we are trailing Cleveland 13-9 in the 4th quarter on sunday after a million penalties.



Also, am I the only one praying for a Denver/Indy matchup? I love those storylines, and it'd actually be a great matchup.

[49ersfan_87]

Here's the playoff picture

http://www.nfl.com/playoffs/playoff-...module=HP11_cp

Right now its

1- Texans
2- Ravens
3- Patriots
4- Broncos
5- Colts
6- Steelers

1- Falcons
2- 49ers
3- Packers
4- Giants
5- Bears
6- Seahawks

Bears fall from the 2 seed to 5 seed after 2 straight losses..quite a drop. Packers own the tiebreaker with the Bears right now.

Not sure what to make of the Bears. 1-3 against teams with winning records, with the win against the Colts in week 1. Lost 2 straight but to two top teams. I'm not sure if this is just a rough patch, or a potential collapse.

In the NFC, i think the Bucs have the best chance of the non-playoff teams,with the Saints, Vikings, and Redskins in that order behind. Don't trust the Cowboys, and the other teams are too far back in the wildcard race (Redskins are 1 game back from the NFCE with a win/Giants loss in week 12).

[AntoinCD]

Here's my prediction now

AFC:

1. Houston Texans
2. Denver Broncos
3. Baltimore Ravens
4. New England Patriots
5. Pittsburgh Steelers
6. Cincinnati Bengals

NFC:

1. Atlanta Falcons
2. Green Bay Packers
3. San Francisco 49ers
4. New York Giants
5. Chicago Bears
6. New Orleans Saints

[49ersfan_87]

Current playoff standings

1- Texans (10-1)
2- Ravens (9-2)
3- Patriots (8-3)
4- Broncos (8-3)
5- Colts (7-4)
6- Steelers (6-5)

Still contending: Bengals (6-5), Dolphins (5-6)

1- Falcons (10-1)
2- 49ers (8-2-1)
3- Bears (8-3)
4- Giants (7-4)
5- Packers (7-4)
6- Seahawks (6-5)

Still contending: Bucs (6-5), Vikings (6-5), Redskins (5-6), Cowboys (5-6), Saints (5-6)

If the Seahawks top 2 CB's are suspended it could be a huge blow in the NFC wildcard race.

[MidwestJimmy]

Forget predictions. I'll be happy if all the teams in the playoffs have winning records (i.e. deserve to be in the playoffs). Since the current division format started in 2002, this has happened only half the time (five seasons out of ten).

As far as the thread topic goes, the #1 seed in the AFC is big. The MNF game in Week 14 between Houston and NE could be a major factor in that race. I think Pittsburgh beats out Cincinnati. Even if they tie, the Steelers will get the spot because of head-to-head. The Steelers won the first game with Cincy, and will probably win the second because they always beat the Bengals.

The Packers will win the NFC-N again. They are better than Chicago, and will probably beat them again in Week 15 (gain a game on them and win head-to-head).