The Playoff Picture

1960Pats said:

After watching that game the Bengals don't scare me as much.

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The Texans have had problems scoring on offense, but actually lead the NFL in 3rd down defense. I agree that they suck, but when you consider the fact that they've been at home in Houston for the past 3 weeks (only one game vs. TEN on November 1) and were coming off of a bye it's reasonable to give some credit to their preparation and play.

If you can't get pumped up with your division up for grabs and the star QB (Luck) out for the next 2-6 games, then something's wrong with you. That said, you obviously make a fair point that CIN didn't look good, but I think I'd lean more towards giving the credit to the Texans. They came ready to play last night.

The Bengals defense gave up 10 points. And they lost.

The Bengals offense was a trainwreck and fully responsible for losing the game.

Wouldn't TWO 18-0 teams in the Superbowl be something? Yeah, I know. Can't sleep, dreaming while wide awake!

Cincy once again proves that when the lights shine bright, they turtle.

If they make the playoffs again and go one and done, Lewis has to be fired. Unexplainable.

1960Pats said:

Fair within the division yes, but not even close to fair overall.

What did Carolina earn last year by having a 7-8-1 record that was better than three other lousy teams? The 10-6 Philly team that beat them handily deserved it more.

I think it's time for me to call it quits for now, but thanks for the respectful response.

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It was one game. KC destroyed the eventual super bowl champions on a Monday night. Does that mean they deserve a playoff spot too?

Philly is actually one of the teams I like and root for when their games have no bearing on the pats, but if they're pissed about missing the playoffs last year, they shouldn't point fingers at Carolina/NFL, how bout blaming themselves for laying an egg at home vs Dallas in week 15, and choking the following week vs a bad redskins team. That's what did them in

Small, regional divisions make for more intense rivalries and benefit regional viewership. The NFL wants sold out stadiums from East to West, North to South in the playoffs; and I'm fine with them keeping it that way.

QuantumMechanic said:

Unlikely. The Strength of Victory tiebreaker would likely settle things.

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Yeah, we're in great shape in SoV. That's a living beast, of course, but we're at .458, Cincy is at .398. We're in great shape to be able to take one loss and maintain the #1 seed even in the unlikely event that Cincy goes undefeated the rest of the way.

Deus Irae said:

People talking about 'fair' are talking about something nonexistent. There's no way to make it 'fair'.

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That reminds me of that old adage, when the going gets tough just quit.

How about we shoot for more fair, or is that unattainable also?

Why not just have eight 2 team divisions in each conference and take the "winner" from each one?

memento said:

Small, regional divisions make for more intense rivalries and benefit regional viewership. The NFL wants sold out stadiums from East to West, North to South in the playoffs; and I'm fine with them keeping it that way.

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It's not that big of a deal and I understand why they did it, but that doesn't make it right.

How often have the Jets, Bills or Dolphins had a shot at the East in the AFC? Yet those fans still buy tickets.

supafly said:

The Texans have had problems scoring on offense, but actually lead the NFL in 3rd down defense. I agree that they suck, but when you consider the fact that they've been at home in Houston for the past 3 weeks (only one game vs. TEN on November 1) and were coming off of a bye it's reasonable to give some credit to their preparation and play.

If you can't get pumped up with your division up for grabs and the star QB (Luck) out for the next 2-6 games, then something's wrong with you. That said, you obviously make a fair point that CIN didn't look good, but I think I'd lean more towards giving the credit to the Texans. They came ready to play last night.

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Let's hope they come to play like that for every game but ours. It would be awesome to see them win the AFCS crown and knock out the Indiots. That would only leave one more team to get run over by the karma train this year, the Jests. Hopefully they can be the team that has a better record but loses out to the Texans.

memento said:

Small, regional divisions make for more intense rivalries and benefit regional viewership. The NFL wants sold out stadiums from East to West, North to South in the playoffs; and I'm fine with them keeping it that way.

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They're not really regional though. I get why they kept it (AFL history), but if you really want to make it regional, you can move the Dolphins to the south, Ravens to the east, and Colts to the north..

There's Something About The Bungles
Shine the big lights on them on the big stage and they lose.
Every. Single. Day.
(OK , OK a bit of hyperbole)
They literally can't win in the nationally televised games.
I expect them to be 8-2 next.

1960Pats said:

That reminds me of that old adage, when the going gets tough just quit.

How about we shoot for more fair, or is that unattainable also?

Why not just have eight 2 team divisions in each conference and take the "winner" from each one?

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There is no objective "fair" here. Your notion of shooting for 'more fair' is mythological.

fourhour said:

Wouldn't TWO 18-0 teams in the Superbowl be something? Yeah, I know. Can't sleep, dreaming while wide awake!

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I'd rather the 18-0 Pats go in to play the 9-7 NFC Champion Giants. Brady goes from a four game suspension, to playing all year, going 19-0 and getting his 5th ring over the team that cost him two others. It'd be the most poetic of all justices.

I can dream, right?

I want nothing to do with the Giants. You just know if they played it would come down to the closing minutes. Can't we just win in a rout just once and party the 4th quarter instead of popping Tums?

everlong said:

I want nothing to do with the Giants. You just know if they played it would come down to the closing minutes. Can't we just win in a rout just once and party the 4th quarter instead of popping Tums?

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It be nice, but a clutch ghost kick to win as time expires will be more memorable

1960Pats said:

Carolina's pretty much a lock to have the #1 seed, and if they can get by the two Falcons games they have a very realistic shot at going 16-0.

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40:1 odds to do so. They are not going 16-0 primarily because this is not a dominant team with a truly great quarterback. They are playing great football, but they are easily the most overhyped team in the league. The 2015 Carolina Panthers will not be the third team in NFL history to run the table. They just aren't that dominant...maybe the best team in the NFC right now, but nowhere near a historically great team. Let's see if they can finish with the #1 seed...they won't play way above themselves forever.

Ice_Ice_Brady said:

40:1 odds to do so. They are not going 16-0 primarily because this is not a dominant team with a truly great quarterback. They are playing great football, but they are easily the most overhyped team in the league. The 2015 Carolina Panthers will not be the third team in NFL history to run the table. They just aren't that dominant...maybe the best team in the NFC right now, but nowhere near a historically great team. Let's see if they can finish with the #1 seed...they won't play way above themselves forever.

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The most startling aspect of the Panthers' run is that every single game they've played so far has been against teams with a losing record. And of the remaining games they have to play, Wash, @Dallas, @NO and TB, are 14-23 right now. Their remaining 3 games are the two with Atlanta (6-3) and @NYG (5-5). Yeow!

so, if the Bengals and broncos lose this weekend and we win on monday night, that essentially puts us in the drivers seat for homefield advantage throughout because we would be 2 losses up on the next team.

Cincy at Arizona
Denver at chicago

definitely possible for both to lose

RIpats88 said:

so, if the Bengals and broncos lose this weekend and we win on monday night, that essentially puts us in the drivers seat for homefield advantage throughout because we would be 2 losses up on the next team.

Cincy at Arizona
Denver at chicago

definitely possible for both to lose

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very likely in my opinion