Now Clearer AFC Playoff Picture: Pats Should Secure a Bye

[mgcolby]

The Pats should secure a bye

Based on remaining schedules and injuries the bye's should be New England and whoever wins the AFC North.

Houston is in a world of hurt, with TJ Yates as the starter for the remainder of the year. The only gimme they have left is the Colts. They play Atlanta, @Cincy, Carolina, @Indy, and Ten. I wouldn't be shocked if Houston fell out of the playoffs all together.

The Raiders could steal a bye, but they have some tough games remaining: @Miami, @GB, Detroit, @KC, and SD. Miami will be a tough game for them and then they have to go to GB. They very well could be 7-6 when they leave GB. I don't see them getting a bye over Baltimore or Pit, and obviously we hold the tie breaker over them.

The AFC North should go to the Ravens. The Ravens should win out or at worst go 4-1. Their remaining schedule is: @Cle, Indy, @SD, Cle, @Cincy. The Steelers have: Cin, Cle, @SF, StL, @Cle.

The #1 seed may come down to a tie breaker.

 

[juny]

Re: The Pats should secure a bye

espn.com has a season simulator, pats would lose to tiebreakers to both ravens and steelers. but the #2 seed will still get a first round bye.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

AFC Playoff Picture getting just a little more clear

Yeah I know there are 6 weeks left to go and an injury to a major player can make a difference but as of now it appears that New England,Houston,Baltimore and Oakland are well on thier way to division titles

Baltmore has beat Pittsburgh twice so unless they completely tank the rest of the games they should have a bye

New England has beat the Jets twice so unless they completely tank the rest of the games they should also have a bye

Oakland has split the series with Denver but i dont see the Tebow magic getting them a division title,its Oakland's to lose

Houston is down to a rookie and Kellen Clemens at QB but they have a great running game and a solid defense to at least beat the crap in the South,only Tennessee can upset them but it would take a near miracle

So in that regards it appears with 6 games to go that only the 6th seed is a logjam to which i think the Jets will eventually luck out and get

As I see it....
Seed 1 and 2 in either order (New England,Baltimore)
Seed 3 and 4 in either order (Houston,Oakland)
Seed 5 (Pittsburgh seems a near lock at 5)
Seed 6 A logjam (Cincinnati,Jets,Denver,Tennessee)


Right now it looks like there could be 3 teams from the North to get in but I still doubt Cincinnati makes it.

A VERY early guess into January ...

Wild Card Round - Jets @ Houston
Pittsburgh @ Oakland

TO REPEAT,I KNOW IT'S STILL FAIRLY EARLY,BUT IT'S GETTING CLEAR IN A LOT OF AREAS BARRING A MAJOR INJURY

 

[Bella*chick]

Re: The Pats should secure a bye

Given the way we played after the bye this year I hope it's a good thing.

 

[Rob0729]

You really think a 9-7 team is going to get in? That is probably the best the Jets will be. They barely beat a team with something like 7-8 starters on IR today. They could easily lose three of their next five.

I think the Bengals get the final wild card spot. They have two easy games and three tough ones. I think they win at least one tough one and go 10-6. That will be good enouh for the sixth seed.

I expected the Jets to crush the Bills today. The Bills shot themselves in the foot in the end. I don't know how they are going to beat better teams with beter defenses like the Redskins, Eagles, or Giants. In fact, I can see the Chiefs beating them especially if Orton is starting.

 

[mgcolby]

I don't see Houston winning the division, I think Tennessee wins it in week 17. I just don't see how Houston can win with Yates at QB, and they have a tough remaining schedule. I could see them finishing 9-7 and out of the playoffs all together.

Pittsburgh definitely looks like the 5th seed right now, Baltimore has an easy remaining schedule and beat Pit twice. Oakland should take the West. And the 6th seed could be anyone.

I think the top 5 will be 1) Baltimore 2) NE 3) Oakland 4) Tennessee 5) Pittsburgh

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

You really think a 9-7 team is going to get in? That is probably the best the Jets will be. They barely beat a team with something like 7-8 starters on IR today. They could easily lose three of their next five.

I think the Bengals get the final wild card spot. They have two easy games and three tough ones. I think they win at least one tough one and go 10-6. That will be good enouh for the sixth seed.

I expected the Jets to crush the Bills today. The Bills shot themselves in the foot in the end. I don't know how they are going to beat better teams with beter defenses like the Redskins, Eagles, or Giants. In fact, I can see the Chiefs beating them especially if Orton is starting.

I think the Jets end up 10-6 and the next loss to Pittsburgh,whether that's enough is to be seen.

Cincinnati still has tough games remaining as well,as I said Denver and Tennessee are also in the mix.

 

[sly24]

anyone but the jets please..

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

I don't see Houston winning the division, I think Tennessee wins it in week 17. I just don't see how Houston can win with Yates at QB, and they have a tough remaining schedule. I could see them finishing 9-7 and out of the playoffs all together.

Pittsburgh definitely looks like the 5th seed right now, Baltimore has an easy remaining schedule and beat Pit twice. Oakland should take the West. And the 6th seed could be anyone.

I think the top 5 will be 1) Baltimore 2) NE 3) Oakland 4) Tennessee 5) Pittsburgh

Kellen Klemens will be Houston's QB if Yates can't produce,At least Kellens has experience as a starter before.

 

[thechris]

Denver's schedule the rest of the way is fairly easy while the Raiders still have to play Green Bay & Detroit. I wouldn't be shocked if the Tebows win the division at 9-7.

The AFC South will probably come down to the Week 17 matchup between Tennessee & Houston. Poor Texans.

 

[Rob0729]

I think the Jets end up 10-6 and the next loss to Pittsburgh,whether that's enough is to be seen.

Cincinnati still has tough games remaining as well,as I said Denver and Tennessee are also in the mix.

I'm sorry, but after the last three weeks, I can't see the Jets going 4-1 the rest of the way. If Sanchez can struggle against one of the worst defenses in the the league, what will he do vs good ones.

I think Cincy will be 10-6 and the Jets will be 9-7 or even 8-8. I think they lose to the Giants and at least one more game. I have seen nothing from the Jets that suggests they can beat even average teams consistently.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

no way the jets go 10-6..did you see how lucky they got once again today? Luck can't last forever...should be 3-8 this season

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

If Houston pulls off a win against ATL next week I'll start to get real nervous about us getting the bye. I dunno but in the past it seems like we've just had really bad luck with hoping for teams to lose, missing the playoffs at 11-5 will do that to ya I guess.

They should lose to ATL and @ Cincy but I'd count on either team. Make it past that and they play a couple horrible teams (CAR, INdy) and then Tennessee.

 

[Dufflebagz]

If Houston pulls off a win against ATL next week I'll start to get real nervous about us getting the bye. I dunno but in the past it seems like we've just had really bad luck with hoping for teams to lose, missing the playoffs at 11-5 will do that to ya I guess.

They should lose to ATL and @ Cincy but I'd count on either team. Make it past that and they play a couple horrible teams (CAR, INdy) and then Tennessee.

The time I actually root for the Jets and Favre.....bastards

 

[mgcolby]

Kellen Klemens will be Houston's QB if Yates can't produce,At least Kellens has experience as a starter before.

I honestly don't think it will matter. Teams will now load up against the run, bracket Johnson and make Yates or Clemens beat them. They still have to play Atlanta, Cincy, Carolina, Indy and Tennessee. It will be tough to get two wins there. Indy and maybe Carolina...

 

[mgcolby]

If Houston pulls off a win against ATL next week I'll start to get real nervous about us getting the bye. I dunno but in the past it seems like we've just had really bad luck with hoping for teams to lose, missing the playoffs at 11-5 will do that to ya I guess.

They should lose to ATL and @ Cincy but I'd count on either team. Make it past that and they play a couple horrible teams (CAR, INdy) and then Tennessee.

I don't think Carolina is horrible. They are a decent team IMO, unfortunately for them they have played a tough schedule. Atlant and NO twice, Detroit, Chicago. The only "bad" losses they have are Arizona and Minnesota. That isn't to shabby for a team most people thought would struggle to win a game.

With that said I agree with you. Two wins will be tough for Houston to get.

 

[Rob0729]

I don't see the Pats not getting a bye at this point. If both e Pats and Texans win out, the Pats have the tiebreaker.

 

[TriplecHamp]

In all seriousness weve seen this act from the Jets before. I think the only game they lose is against the Giants. 10-6 with their upcoming schedule is probably the most realistic outcome (none of that "they could" stuff). 10-6 can realistically get them the 6th spot.

 

[mgcolby]

Re: The Pats should secure a bye

espn.com has a season simulator, pats would lose to tiebreakers to both ravens and steelers. but the #2 seed will still get a first round bye.

What is the tie breaker that the Ravens win on? SoS?

 

[Rob0729]

In all seriousness weve seen this act from the Jets before. I think the only game they lose is against the Giants. 10-6 with their upcoming schedule is probably the most realistic outcome (none of that "they could" stuff). 10-6 can realistically get them the 6th spot.

When have we seen this act before? Oh yeah, never. And don't bring up 2009. This year's Jets is nothing like that team. That team had the best defense and best running game in the league and they still only went 9-7 with the last two games being against teams that rested their starters. That team was never blown out like the Pats did three weeks ago to them. And never gave up as many points against a mediocre team as they did today.

You are suggesting they will do better this year with a team that has struggled at every phase of the game atleast at points this year and have an average defense and below average running game with no team laying down at the end of the season.