Latest AFC Playoffs Picture (Bonus: Broncos might miss post season)

dannydyn · Dec 14, 2015

NFL Playoff Picture: Patriots Control Destiny, Broncos Could Miss Playoffs Entirely

The craziest scenario is also extremely possible: the Broncos could straight up miss the playoffs and be out of the picture before their week 17 game.

The Kansas City Chiefs have the easiest closing schedule, with games against the Ravens, Browns, and Raiders, for a collective record of 13-26. The Chiefs winning out and reaching 11-5 isn't out of the question.

Denver could lose to the Steelers and no one would be surprised. If the Broncos, who struggled against the Oakland Raiders, also fall to the Andy Dalton-less Bengals, then they will have 5 losses on the season. This means that they would have, at best, matching records.

The Chiefs, of course, hold a 4-1 divisional record and, if they win out, they would beat the Raiders and own a 5-1 record on the season. The Broncos already have two divisional losses, so the Chiefs would hold the tiebreaker.

Oh what fun, it is to ride the #1 seed.....

turkeyneck · Dec 14, 2015

Broncoes scenario:

Osweiler struggles and Donks wind up in a last game do-or-die to make the playoffs. Kubiak and Elway lose their nerve, switch back to Manning who has a game like their last Superbowl appearance.

Tony2046 · Dec 14, 2015

I think it is unlikely that the Broncos miss the playoffs but I thought it was unlikely that they would lose to the Raiders. I also thought it was just as unlikely that the Pats would lose to the Eagles. Anything can happen.

But if they did miss the playoffs............. wow.

Funny Side note: Peyton still leads the league in interceptions by 3 although he hasn't played in the last 4 games.

IllegalContact · Dec 14, 2015

I think its more likely the bengals lose out

PatsDeb · Dec 14, 2015

I don't know if that is a bonus compared to how some other teams are coming on. If we got a 2nd shot at the Broncos with a different crew of refs, I think we'd win.

Dagg · Dec 14, 2015

The scenario of the Broncos losing out seems pretty far fetched, That defense is still very good.

varjao · Dec 14, 2015

Question, when was Peyton expected to return? Is Osweiller still being the backup or the Broncos kept him "a little more" ?

With this loss, and considering Osweiller didn't set the world on fire even though he is 3-1, they have a tough decision to make in the next weeks.

ThatllMoveTheChains!!! · Dec 14, 2015

varjao said:
Question, when was Peyton expected to return? Is Osweiller still being the backup or the Broncos kept him "a little more" ?

With this loss, and considering Osweiller didn't set the world on fire even though he is 3-1, they have a tough decision to make in the next weeks.

Osweiller gives them the best chance to win and allows Kubiak to run the offense the way he likes. I'd love for them to switch back to Manning.

turkeyneck · Dec 14, 2015

Broncos offseason looks to be very interesting. They've got to get rid off Manning. But how? Who's going to want him? Osweiler doesn't look like a franchise QB. Maybe they envision Alex Smith but with a bigger arm, a manager that the defense can carry.

Froob · Dec 14, 2015

Funny to think about, but noway it happens unless Pay-a-ton comes back. Broncos aren't losing to Chargers at home and they probably don't lose to Bengals either.

RhodyPatriot · Dec 14, 2015

Patriots are in great shape to get a bye and to me that's really all that matters.
They need that week off. This team is so banged up I'm hoping they take care of business the next 2 weeks and that Miami game is meaningless. If so they can rest half the team and I'm hoping that will include the QB who has taken beating over the past month.
Denver goes to Pittsburgh this week and then Cincy goes to Denver. I see Pittsburgh beating Denver and then Denver beating Cincy. Patriots take care of business they'll have a 2 game cushion going into Miami.
The ONLY thing stopping this team from another Super Bowl is injuries.

dannydyn · Dec 14, 2015

IllegalContact said:
I think its more likely the bengals lose out

While I certainly don’t see a scenario where the Bengals run the table the rest of their schedule (certainly not with McCarron against the Broncos’ D), I DO think their defense will bail them out against inferior teams, starting with SF next week. SF has no offense to put any points on that Bengals defense.

A Defiant Goose · Dec 14, 2015

I could've sworn up and down the field that NE would be playing the Yets in week 17, not 16. Going to be a playoff atmosphere against the Jets who will be playing for their postseason lives, while the Patriots try to hang on to a much needed bye (and the all-important #1 seed).

I keep thinking the Steelers worry me the most, but it's really because the rest of the field is so bad that Pittsburgh just kind of ends up as the only other good team. I have confidence in a healthy defense performing how they did week 1 (even better actually) and the offense putting up 28+ points.

luuked · Dec 14, 2015

Dagg said:
The scenario of the Broncos losing out seems pretty far fetched, That defense is still very good.

They don't need to lose out, it would be sufficient if they lose against Pittsburgh and the Bengals. The reason I find Denver to miss the playoffs unlikely is because it requires the Jets to win out.

Kontradiction · Dec 14, 2015

If the Broncos miss the playoffs, I'll laugh so hard that snot will shoot out of my nose. I may fart too.

venecol · Dec 14, 2015

What's interesting is that if the Texans beat IND next week, the Colts could miss the playoffs too. It would be a trip if the Ravens, Colts, and Broncos all miss the playoffs.

Whatever, I just want the Pats to get #1 seed and maybe have the MIA game be a meaningless game to rest the starters.

IllegalContact · Dec 14, 2015

dannydyn said:
While I certainly don’t see a scenario where the Bengals run the table the rest of their schedule (certainly not with McCarron against the Broncos’ D), I DO think their defense will bail them out against inferior teams, starting with SF next week. SF has no offense to put any points on that Bengals defense.

the niners are not that bad at home......their last game their, they gave a full cardinals roster a game......not a gimme by any stretch of the imagination......mccarron could easily cough up a hairball

Haterproof · Dec 14, 2015

That Bengals vs Broncos game will be huge! The winner of that game should get the bye!

Brady'sButtBoy · Dec 14, 2015

If only we were playing the Jets week 17 instead of 16! Why? Because if Denver loses to Pitt, and Cincy loses in Denver, the Pats will have that a fore mentioned 2 game cushion. Laying down against the Jets would help the Jets make the playoffs, AND keep the Steelers out. In essence the Pats could allow the Jets to go play Cincy or maybe Indy, while thanking the hot Steelers for knocking off both Cincy and Denver by keeping Pittsburgh out of the postseason altogether! (assuming both KC and the Jets win out, which would bar Pitt from the playoffs.)

varjao · Dec 14, 2015

turkeyneck said:
Broncos offseason looks to be very interesting. They've got to get rid off Manning. But how? Who's going to want him? Osweiler doesn't look like a franchise QB. Maybe they envision Alex Smith but with a bigger arm, a manager that the defense can carry.

Houston.

Latest AFC Playoffs Picture (Bonus: Broncos might miss post season)

PatsFans.com Supporter

In the Starting Line-Up

PatsFans.com Supporter

PatsFans.com Retired Jersey Club

PatsFans.com Supporter

Rotational Player and Threatening Starter's Job

Experienced Starter w/First Big Contract

In the Starting Line-Up

In the Starting Line-Up

Independent Investigator & pliable af

In the Starting Line-Up

PatsFans.com Supporter

Experienced Starter w/First Big Contract

Hall of Fame Poster

On my retirement tour.

PatsFans.com Supporter

PatsFans.com Retired Jersey Club

2nd Team Getting Their First Start

2nd Team Getting Their First Start

Experienced Starter w/First Big Contract

Similar threads