The Playoff Picture

[QuantumMechanic]

NE's SoV and SoS would be equal. And CIN's SoV and SoS would be equal.

But NE's SoV (or SoS) will not necessarily be equal to CIN's SoV (or SoS) because they play different teams.

 

[SalemPats]

Cincy is a lot better with Atkins and Burfict in the lineup, but i think coaching will hurt them. I see losses to Arizona/Pitt/Den and one upset loss (hopefully this week). My prediction is 12-4

 

[oldrover]

NE's SoV and SoS would be equal. And CIN's SoV and SoS would be equal.

But NE's SoV (or SoS) will not necessarily be equal to CIN's SoV (or SoS) because they play different teams.

None of this will be on the exam, right?

 

[1960Pats]

I think Pitt (10-6) and Oakland (10-6) will overtake both Buffalo (7-9) and the Jests (9-7) as the two wildcard teams in the AFC.

 

[1960Pats]

Why are they identical? NE and CIN play different teams. Just because both hypothetically finish 16-0 doesn't mean their SoV and SoS are identical. At the moment, in fact, their SoVs aren't identical.

Yup. As of this moment the Pats SOV is 2 games better than Cincy's (29-39 to 27-41).

The best part of this stat is that every game that the Jets win helps us move ahead of Cincy. The same holds true for Dallas, the Redskins, Jags and Indy. I hope their fans take comfort in knowing that every time they root for their team and they win it helps us just a little also.

On the flip side, every win by Oakland, SD, the Ravens, KC, Seattle and the Browns helps Cincy.

 

[QuantumMechanic]

Yup. As of this moment the Pats SOV is 2 games better than Cincy's (29-39 to 27-41).

The best part of this stat is that every game that the Jets win helps us move ahead of Cincy. The same holds true for Dallas, the Redskins, Jags and Indy. I hope their fans take comfort in knowing that every time they root for their team and they win it helps us just a little also.

On the flip side, every win by Oakland, SD, the Ravens, KC, Seattle and the Browns helps Cincy.

In addition to that, every BUF win helps us and every PIT win helps them. That's because BUF counts twice in our SoV (because assuming we go 16-0 we beat them twice) but only once in their SoV and PIT counts once in our SoV and twice in theirs (for the same reason).

 

[QuantumMechanic]

To sum up:
NE and CIN play each play the following teams once and therefore they're a SoV wash: DEN, HOU.
NE plays these teams twice and CIN plays them once so they help NE: BUF
NE plays these teams once and CIN plays them twice to they help CIN: PIT
NE only plays these teams so they all help NE: DAL, IND, JAX, MIA, NYG, NYJ, PHI, TEN, WAS
CIN only plays these teams so they all help CIN: ARI, BAL, CLE, KC, OAK, SEA, SF, STL

Obviously the NE-CIN common opponents are: BUF, DEN, HOU, PIT. Since there will be at least 4 games against common opponents, the NE-CIN common opponents tiebreaker will be in force if it gets that far down the chain.

 

[QuantumMechanic]

Here's the NE-DEN pairing. Not going to talk about helping because DEN has already lost to IND which complicates things.

NE and DEN each play once: IND, PIT
NE plays twice, DEN plays once: none
NE plays once, DEN plays twice: none
NE only plays: BUF, DAL, DEN, HOU, JAX, MIA, NYG, NYJ, PHI, TEN, WAS
DEN only plays: BAL, CHI, CIN, CLE, DET, KC, GB, MIN, NE, OAK, SD

NE-DEN common opponents: IND, PIT
Since there are fewer than 4 games against NE-DEN common opponents, the common opponents tiebreaker will not apply to a NE-DEN tie. Of course, since the teams play each other, unless the game ends in a tie the head-to-head tiebreaker will decide things anyways.

 

[PatsFan2]

I think the NFL should go by record period and not Division if a Wild Card Team have a better record than a division winner they shoud be sloted accordinly.

 

[theone12]

Don't care who makes it in the wildcard rounds or playoffs in general. Nobody scares me.

Steelers? Their QB hasn't won a playoff game in 5 years and his 2 Super Bowls are vastly overrated. Eli's are much more impressive. Brady would shred that D as always. They also have a moronic head coach.

Colts? No.

Broncos? Brady owns Wade Phillips defenses and Manning is a shell of himself.

Bengals? Marvin Lewis is the coach and Andy Dalton is the QB. Enough said.

Raiders? David Carr is a nice player and they have a nice future, but they are nothing special right now.

Jets/Bills? Nope just based on their QB play alone.

 

[Huckleberry1]

In addition to that, every BUF win helps us and every PIT win helps them. That's because BUF counts twice in our SoV (because assuming we go 16-0 we beat them twice) but only once in their SoV and PIT counts once in our SoV and twice in theirs (for the same reason).

The Bills will be in deep trouble when they come to Foxboro, Taylor is going to have to get all his yards with his feet, Belichick will shut his passing game down now that he has the film on him.

 

[Joey007]

I'll make a projected finish of seedings:

AFC
1. New England
2. Cincy
3. Denver
4. Indy
5. Oakland
6. Close choice but I'll go with Buffalo for winning last nigh

NFC:
1.Carolina
2. Arizona
3. Green Bay
4. Philly
5. Minnesota
6. Atlanta

 

[memento]

Browns are expected to start Manziel against the Steelers. Even if Roethlisberger doesn't play I expect the Steelers to win and take the AFC wildcard lead.

 

[Gumby]

I think the NFL should go by record period and not Division if a Wild Card Team have a better record than a division winner they shoud be sloted accordinly.

If you mean slotted for home field advantage, ok that is an argument i can see both sides. But all 4 div winners should be in playoffs, Not that one gets bumped and you have 3div winners and 3WCs.

Personally, i'm good as is.

 

[moejr]

I don't care who we play as long as we don't have to play the Giants in the SB if we get there.

 

[meatface]

I'll make a projected finish of seedings:

AFC
1. New England
2. Cincy
3. Denver
4. Indy
5. Oakland
6. Close choice but I'll go with Buffalo for winning last nigh

NFC:
1.Carolina
2. Arizona
3. Green Bay
4. Philly
5. Minnesota
6. Atlanta

I don't know if I trust Atlanta to do anything, maybe Seattle or st. Louis will do something to get the 6th seed

 

[supafly]

I don't know if I trust Atlanta to do anything, maybe Seattle or st. Louis will do something to get the 6th seed

It's a make or break game for SEA (4-4) this week, as they are -3 point favorites at home coming off of a bye week to ARZ (6-2).

If Seattle wins at home as many expect, they move to within one game of the divisional lead. While they may not make it in the end, I would imagine that they'll still make a strong push for a WC spot.

As you said, I don't trust ATL for anything, and could see them blowing their WC lead over the 2nd half of the season.

 

[TheFlyingWedge]

It just doesn't seem right to factor the Bengals into the list of teams to worry about in the postseason. Yes they look formidable, but they are still the Bungles and will fall apart like they always do.

 

[1960Pats]

It's a make or break game for SEA (4-4) this week, as they are -3 point favorites at home coming off of a bye week to ARZ (6-2).

If Seattle wins at home as many expect, they move to within one game of the divisional lead. While they may not make it in the end, I would imagine that they'll still make a strong push for a WC spot.

As you said, I don't trust ATL for anything, and could see them blowing their WC lead over the 2nd half of the season.

I also think that Minny has a tough schedule and will have to play pretty well to stay above the rest.

 

[1960Pats]

It just doesn't seem right to factor the Bengals into the list of teams to worry about in the postseason. Yes they look formidable, but they are still the Bungles and will fall apart like they always do.

I think it's a mistake to underestimate Cincy.