'Early' Playoff Predictions

[2_LAW_4]

2011 NFL Playoff Standings - National Football League - ESPN

In light of this past weekend's games, I think the AFC playoff picture may start to look a little more clearer, at least from this Patriots fan's perspective.

For the Patriots, we all know their schedule eases up quite significantly over the next seven weeks. Mike Reiss had written the Pats remaining opponents (not including this past Sunday's games) combined for a .333 winning percentage. Couple that with Houston --many analyst pegging them to earn one of the byes -- has lost Matt Schaub. This puts a HUGE dent in their playoff aspirations, let alone getting a first round bye. This completely opens the door for the Pats.

I understand its the un-Belichick thing to do and look further ahead than next week, but hey, I'm a fan... I can't help myself... and its fun to look back and see how close you were

Current Playoff Standings (refer to attachment, follow link, or look below)

1 - Houston, sitting at 7-3 (6-2 Conf)
2 - Pittsburgh, 2nd seed, 7-3 (5-3 Conf)
--bye--
3 - NE, 6-3 (5-2 Conf)
4 - Oakland, 5-4 (5-4 Conf)
5 - Baltimore, 6-3 (4-2 Conf)
6 - Cincinnati, 6-3 (5-2 Conf)
--Outside--
7 - NYJ, 5-4 (4-4 Conf)
8 - Buffalo, 5-4 (3-2 Conf)
9 - Tennessee, 5-4, (4-4 Conf)

Remaining Games:

1 - Hou: BYE, @JAC, ATL, @CIN, CAR, @IND, TEN -- 2 pretty close to guaranteed wins (Jac & Ind), tall order to beat ATL, CIN, TEN without Schaub, Mario Williams, and possibly Andre Johnson. We'll give them the benefit of the doubt and say they win 4 of 6 (jax, atl, car, ind). Final record 11-5 (8-4 Conf)

2 - Pit: BYE, @KC, CIN, CLE, @SF, STL, @CLE -- Only two real tough games remaining, @SF and possibly CIN. The Steelers look like they will capture the 1st seed. Lets say they only lose to SF. Final record 12-4 (9-3 Conf)

3 - NE: KC, @PHI, IND, @WAS, @DEN, MIA, BUF -- Only two remaining games that we can classify as being somewhat difficult (Phi, Buf). I say Pats win 6 (kc, ind, was, den, mia, buf). Final record 12-4 (10-2 Conf)

4 - Oak: @MIN, CHI, @MIA, @GB, DET, @KC, SD -- some tough NFC games lie ahead for the Raiders. The AFC West is shaping up to be similar to the 2008 version, which saw SD "win" the division and get a home playoff game with a stellar 8-8 record. Raiders should win 4 of their reaming 7 games (min, mia, kc, sd). Final record 9-7 (8-4 Conf)

5 - Bal: CIN, SF, @CLE, IND, @SD, CLE, @CIN -- If Baltimore continues to play down to their competition, then their remaining schedule will look even daunting than it already is. They have two head-to-head match ups with Cincy, they have to go all the way out west again to play SD, and they have SF... Lets say they win 5 (cin, cleX2, ind, sd). Final record 11-5 (9-3 Conf)

6 - Cin: @BAL, CLE, @PIT, HOU, @STL, ARZ, BAL -- Very tough remaining schedule in my opinion. Two real tough division road games. Lets say Cincy wins 5 (bal, stl, hou, cle, arz) games. Final record 11-5 (8-4 Conf)

7 - Nyj: @DEN, BUF, @WAS, KC, @PHI, NYG, @MIA -- Not too difficult. Jets should win 5 games (den, buf, was, kc, mia). Final record 10-6 (8-4 Conf)

8 - Buf: @MIA, @NYJ, TEN, @SD, MIA, DEN, @NE -- The wheels are coming off. Bills win 3 games (miaX2, den). Final record 8-8 (6-6 Conf)

9 - Ten: @ATL, TB, @BUF, NO, @IND, JAC, @HOU -- Tennessee is poised to take over the division lead. However, with HOU winning 11 games, Ten just doesn't make it... win 5 (tb, buf, ind, jac, hou). Final record 10-6 (8-4 Conf)

FINAL STANDINGS

1- PITTSBURGH, 12-4
2- NEW ENGLAND, 12-4

3- HOUSTON, 11-5
4- OAKLAND, 9-7
5- BALTIMORE, 11-5
6- CINCINNATI, 11-5

 

[ivanvamp]

FINAL STANDINGS

1- PITTSBURGH, 12-4
2- NEW ENGLAND, 12-4

3- HOUSTON, 11-5
4- OAKLAND, 9-7
5- BALTIMORE, 11-5
6- CINCINNATI, 11-5

I would be very happy if those were the final standings. Get a bye, then face Houston probably at home, and they'd be without Schaub. Let Oakland and Baltimore beat each other up, and then go to Pittsburgh to knock heads with the Steelers.

The worst scenario out of all that would be Cincy and Baltimore winning, meaning the Pats would play Baltimore in the 2nd round. Not the preferred matchup.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

My outlook is


AFC East - New England 11-5
AFC North - Baltimore 12-4
AFC South - Houston 11-5
AFC West - Oakland 10-6

Wildcards - 5) Pittsburgh 10-6 (tiebreaker edge over Jets - head to head win)
6) NY Jets 10-6 (edges Tennessee and Cincinnati)

I think NE plays on Wild Card Weekend at home (losing tiebreaker to the Texans for the #2 seed) vs. the Jets and Oakland plays at home vs. Pittsburgh

Baltimore and Houston get the weekend off


No team IMO will have more than 12 wins in the playoffs and no team with less than 10 wins will make it either.

The NFC will have 2 teams with more than 12 wins (SF and GB) While one of two of the Wild Card teams may only have 9 wins.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

You both have Houston going 11-5?

They have a cupcake schedule, and even still they aren't that good. 5-2 with Matt Leinart?

1. Patriots, 12-4
2. Ravens, 12-4
3. Texans, 9-7
4. Chargers, 9-7
5. Steelers, 12-4
6. Bengals, 10-6

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

You both have Houston going 11-5?

They have a cupcake schedule, and even still they aren't that good. 5-2 with Matt Leinart?

1. Patriots, 12-4
2. Ravens, 12-4
3. Texans, 9-7
4. Chargers, 9-7
5. Steelers, 12-4
6. Bengals, 10-6

Chargers are not winning that division at 9-7...I think its been a long time since 2 AFC division winners have failed to win 10 games,it may have never happened before.

I think the Texans will rely on the running of Foster and the defense to get to 11 wins and the #2 seed

I think the Pats lose to an Eagles team desperate to stay in the hunt and may lose a WTF game to the Redskins whose coach Shanahan has always has been trouble to Belichick over the years.

I see 11-5 and a #3,maybe #4 seed for the Pats

 

[PatsGirl2011]

As much as I prefer if San Diego makes the playoff, I think they shot themselves in the foot by losing the last 4. There is still no way, IMO, Houston gets a bye. The Ravens are not consistent enough to lose only one more game, if that makes any sense. I am going 1. Steelers 2. Pats 3. Houston barely 4. Oakland 5. Ravens 6. Jets/Bengals/Tenn being the long shot. With the Jets schedule, they may be able to overtake the Ravens for the 5th seed if the Ravens don't get it together. However, the Ravens have essentially a two game lead on the 5th seed. That means the Jets will face Houston in the first round and then Oak/Baltimore.

 

[PatsGirl2011]

Chargers are not winning that division at 9-7...I think its been a long time since 2 AFC division winners have failed to win 10 games,it may have never happened before.

I think the Texans will rely on the running of Foster and the defense to get to 11 wins and the #2 seed

I think the Pats lose to an Eagles team desperate to stay in the hunt and may lose a WTF game to the Redskins whose coach Shanahan has always has been trouble to Belichick over the years.

I see 11-5 and a #3,maybe #4 seed for the Pats

Hmmm? So by that theory, the Raiders or Chargers will finish 11-5 too? I don't think so..

 

[Ring 6]

My outlook is


AFC East - New England 11-5
AFC North - Baltimore 12-4
AFC South - Houston 11-5
AFC West - Oakland 10-6

Wildcards - 5) Pittsburgh 10-6 (tiebreaker edge over Jets - head to head win)
6) NY Jets 10-6 (edges Tennessee and Cincinnati)

I think NE plays on Wild Card Weekend at home (losing tiebreaker to the Texans for the #2 seed) vs. the Jets and Oakland plays at home vs. Pittsburgh

Baltimore and Houston get the weekend off


No team IMO will have more than 12 wins in the playoffs and no team with less than 10 wins will make it either.

The NFC will have 2 teams with more than 12 wins (SF and GB) While one of two of the Wild Card teams may only have 9 wins.

What 2 games do you expect the Patriots to lose?
What 3 do you expect Pittsburgh to lose?
Those are some big upsets you must have on there.
Interesting turnaround you see for the woeful Ravens too.

 

[Ring 6]

Chargers are not winning that division at 9-7...I think its been a long time since 2 AFC division winners have failed to win 10 games,it may have never happened before.

I think the Texans will rely on the running of Foster and the defense to get to 11 wins and the #2 seed

I think the Pats lose to an Eagles team desperate to stay in the hunt and may lose a WTF game to the Redskins whose coach Shanahan has always has been trouble to Belichick over the years.

I see 11-5 and a #3,maybe #4 seed for the Pats

The Raiders would have to win out for the Patriots to have a #4 seed at 11-5.

 

[QB12]

My outlook is


AFC East - New England 11-5
AFC North - Baltimore 12-4
AFC South - Houston 11-5
AFC West - Oakland 10-6

Wildcards - 5) Pittsburgh 10-6 (tiebreaker edge over Jets - head to head win)
6) NY Jets 10-6 (edges Tennessee and Cincinnati)

I think NE plays on Wild Card Weekend at home (losing tiebreaker to the Texans for the #2 seed) vs. the Jets and Oakland plays at home vs. Pittsburgh

Baltimore and Houston get the weekend off


No team IMO will have more than 12 wins in the playoffs and no team with less than 10 wins will make it either.

The NFC will have 2 teams with more than 12 wins (SF and GB) While one of two of the Wild Card teams may only have 9 wins.

Inordinately pessimistic.

 

[QB12]

Chargers are not winning that division at 9-7...I think its been a long time since 2 AFC division winners have failed to win 10 games,it may have never happened before.

I think the Texans will rely on the running of Foster and the defense to get to 11 wins and the #2 seed

I think the Pats lose to an Eagles team desperate to stay in the hunt and may lose a WTF game to the Redskins whose coach Shanahan has always has been trouble to Belichick over the years.

I see 11-5 and a #3,maybe #4 seed for the Pats

Bet you predicted the Jets would win too, right?

 

[Sean Pa Patriot]

I think the pats do have 2 games left that they could lose... at philly and at denver... i think they win at least 6out of 7 and pitt does the same.. baltimore has a tougher schedule... with that said


Pitt 1
Ne 2
Houston 3
oak 4
baltimore 5
nyj 6

 

[RobertWeathers]

I really don't care about the other 31 teams. The Patriots are winning the Super Bowl.

The offense will continue to become more diversified with Cannon, Johnson, Vereen and Ridley making key 2nd 1/2 contributions.

The defense will continue to improve with the secondary becoming more cohesive and the pass rush- while not spectacular will do the job.

The Pats will lock up HFA though out and play the Bears in the SB and win 27-21.

 

[BlueThunder]

I'm not sure Cannon and Vereen will see much, if any action, in the second half.....

If they don't, that means the starters stay healthy, and that is a good thing

 

[TriplecHamp]

Why are people counting philly out? A win this week at NY puts them right back in the thick of things for a wc spot or possibly the east.

 

[groundgame]

I predict Pats are the #3 seed and take on the #6 Ravens at Gillette Stadium in Round. My crystal ball is getting cloudy as I see the fans still settling into their seats minutes into the game with the score Balt 21 NE 0...

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Bet you predicted the Jets would win too, right?

I am 1-4 this season when picking the other team,the last time I picked NE was the Giants game.

It's a trend I have no problem with

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

I just want the pats in the playoffs and the jets to miss altogether...all i want

 

[QB12]

I predict Pats are the #3 seed and take on the #6 Ravens at Gillette Stadium in Round. My crystal ball is getting cloudy as I see the fans still settling into their seats minutes into the game with the score Balt 21 NE 0...

Another lost troll ...

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

What 2 games do you expect the Patriots to lose?
What 3 do you expect Pittsburgh to lose?
Those are some big upsets you must have on there.
Interesting turnaround you see for the woeful Ravens too.

I think the Eagles game and getting upset in Washington are two dangerous games...Denver is always tough at home,even without a throwing QB

I look for San Francisco and Cincinnati to beat the Steelers,Cleveland has a history of giving the Steelers fits as well and could be an upset,I really don't think the Steelers are as good as some think and even if they only lose two more,they have lost both games to Baltimore which would give them the 5 seed.

The Ravens looked bad Sunday but hasn't every team this season?...even Green Bay had looked beaten at Minnesota until an incredible Rodgers comeback pulled out a win.

I just think that the Ravens look best overall this year in the AFC,their defense is very good and if Flacco improves and Rice overcomes a slow start they will be tough.....Ray Lewis and Ed Reed badly want to win another SB before they retire and that defense should be a tough group as the season wears on.


There are a lot of ifs this season,it's just my opinion that Houston and Baltimore have the most overall talent to get the top seeds......the jury is out on Matt Leinart, so that could be an issue.