Week 8: Already no good AFC divisional races left

[Fencer]

Kind of, but I think HTH only looks irrelevant because all of the leading teams have it in their favor this year. You could easily have just as big a lead at week 8 with a loss to the #2 team. In that case the #2 winning out would pose a more significant threat.

My point is that, for example, there's no way anybody threatens the Pats for the AFC East unless they beat them in the rematch -- and if they do, then the HTH tiebreaker is moot, as each side of it will be 1-1.

 

[Joey007]

It would be neat to see Houston overtake the Colts in the AFC south and eliminate them from playoff eligibility. Texans and Colts will be tied after tonight unless something astounding happens.

Or Jacksonville... Theoretically it's still possible actually

 

[Fencer]

Well, I mean, one of them will.

That certainly will be how the seeding looks and what the most likely outcome is.

There are upset-heavy scenarios, however, in which none of them actually plays a January road game.

 

[Joey007]

Indeed, the info is on-line all the time:



Ref: NFL Playoff Picture - 2015-2016 NFL Standings - CBSSports.com

In this scenario the Raiders could actually win a playoff game...

 

[patchick]

My point is that, for example, there's no way anybody threatens the Pats for the AFC East unless they beat them in the rematch -- and if they do, then the HTH tiebreaker is moot, as each side of it will be 1-1.

Right...but it's only moot because they did win the first matchup. That's why I included HTH in the original post, because a team could be 3+ games up with HTH still relevant, and none of the "big 3" this year are in that position.

 

[Bill Lee]

Carolina is going to put that division away soon if Atlanta is who they've been for the last month.

Agree. Keep hoping that Matt Ryan elevates his game, and keep getting disappointed.

 

[farn]

The current scenario is sure to change. While DEN and NE are practically assured of play off berths, I'd not be blown away to see Cincy fall some. Having said that, I think the three top teams WILL advance while the three next team WON'T... I think either HOU or JAX will finish first in that division, while NYJ and OAK find a way to blow it. Of those three, NYJ not making the playoffs is the safest bet.

 

[convertedpatsfan]

It would be neat to see Houston overtake the Colts in the AFC south and eliminate them from playoff eligibility. Texans and Colts will be tied after tonight unless something astounding happens.

If the Colts don't get their act together, and after the Arian Foster injury, the Jaguars just might win that sham of a division.

The Colts have 3 divisional wins, but they haven't beaten anyone outside of their cupcake division. The Jags at least beat the Dolphins and Bills, led the Colts in Indy (with Hasselbeck) and could have won if their kicker hit one of 3 FG chances, and lost by one score to the Bucs. If they get by the Jets (possible if Geno Smith is involved) and @ the Ravens, they have divisional games, two games against teams with terrible defenses in the Saints and Chargers, and a game against Atlanta which doesn't seem as tough as a few weeks ago.

I'm not jumping on the Jaguars bandwagon. I'm just pointing out how atrocious that division is.

 

[RayClay]

Less than half way through the season, 3 AFC teams already seem to have their divisions firmly in hand with leads of at least 3 games plus the head-to-head tiebreaker. The remaining division is "competitive" in that every team is lousy. The most compelling competition remaining in the conference is the one for home field advantage.

It seems awfully early for this. Am I overstating it?

Worst parity in the history of the sport and probably at least one .500 or below team in the playoffs.

The corruptioner is probably the most failed administrator in all of sports, if not the all the world.

 

[RayClay]

Indeed, the info is on-line all the time:



Ref: NFL Playoff Picture - 2015-2016 NFL Standings - CBSSports.com

Remember, being horrible is worse than being mediocre, by definition. Over half the league can only aspire to mediocrity. Hell of a job, Roger.

 

[varjao]

This season has been very disappointing from an entertainment point of view, of course from a PatsFan POV it's ok, we are winning and the enemies are falling down, but it is what it is, this season is crap, I'm surprised by the level of mediocrity, bad coaching, bad calls, every single weekend if not every single game.

 

[Soul_Survivor88]

 

[YOUGOTMOSSED]

The race for the 2 byes will be hot and likely last all season. Everyone has some tough games left, but the fact is that its very likely that some team with a 13-3 record or better is going to have to play a wildcard game on the road, probably against some 8-8 team

Do you really see the Jets, Packers, Vikings, or Falcons winding up with a 13-3 record AND being a wildcard team?

 

[Rob0729]

It' funny. Barring a complete meltdown, the Pats have already locked up the AFC East. The Pats would have to go 5-3 the rest of the way and the Jets would have to go 8-0. I don't see three losses on the Pats' schedule and I don't see the Jets going 8-0.

 

[Rob0729]

The race for the 2 byes will be hot and likely last all season. Everyone has some tough games left, but the fact is that its very likely that some team with a 13-3 record or better is going to have to play a wildcard game on the road, probably against some 8-8 team

I doubt that. I don't see any Wild Card team with a 13-3 record. You are more likely to see a team with a losing record make the playoffs than a team 12-13 wins as a wild card team.

 

[YOUGOTMOSSED]

Of those three, NYJ not making the playoffs is the safest bet.

I don't know about that now in light of the Roethlisberger injury. Which 2 teams are going to overtake the Jets for the WC spots? Raiders maybe? Bills maybe? Hardly a safe bet.

 

[PATS16N0]

Need the Jets to drop out of wildcard position in favor of the Raiders or something.

 

[farn]

I don't know about that now in light of the Roethlisberger injury. Which 2 teams are going to overtake the Jets for the WC spots? Raiders maybe? Bills maybe? Hardly a safe bet.

I'd say Pitt is the more likely than NYJ to make the playoffs, but "yes" my prediction was made before Bell and Ben went down and NY's win this weekend. Bills/Raiders/Texans next most likely in that order.

 

[New England Pride]

Need the Jets to drop out of wildcard position in favor of the Raiders or something.

Totally agree. Especially since we are playing them aon the road in week 16. Worst case scenario, we play a close game at their place and they sneak into the divisional round with confidence. I'd rather tool on the Colts again.

 

[Bruins29]

Yep having the Jets mathematically eliminated ASAP is good. We dont need to go in there with them fighting for a PO spot. Or, what might work is that they are locked into a spot by then and they decide to take it easy the last game.