December lurks.....Who's in the NFL playoffs?

[Sylvanfan]

So with the final month of the season coming up and every team having 5 games left it's the stretch drive. The NFC actually seems to have enough teams that want to win a playoff spot as opposed to last year where 7-9 damn near go you in. The AFC divisions are all pretty much done except for the North. But the Wild Card could be interesting. Heres what I see and predict, and as always share your thoughts and predicitions. In the absence of hockey last year, I find that I'm now an NFL fan first and NHL second.....never thought I'd say that.

NFC
West

Seattle is a lock. Could very well end up with the NFC's top record as only the game vs. Indy sees them playing a winning team.

North

Chicago has a two game lead right now, and I think they'll make it hold up. I think they can beat the Packers in those two games which will give them 10 wins. They've been a quietly hot team lately, so maybe they run the table and end up 13-3? That defence is pretty damn tough and this is the time of year that defence rules.

South

Best race in football between the Panthers, Bucs, and Falcons. I still think that Carolina is the team here. I've been waiting for the Bucs to fall out, but they continue to hang around. Atlanta still seems a touch inconsistant to me to take the division.

East

Well this has become a two horse race between the Cowboys and Giants. Both teams are fairly even and theres not much to choose. I'll take Dallas based on a hunch that Parcells always has something special happen in the Meadowlands. I think he wins this week, and that will win him the division.

Wild cards

Well at least there are some teams to play for these spots this year. Atlanta, Tampa Bay, New York are all in position to contend. But coming on strong since Brad Johnson became QB is Minnesota. With the South teams still having to fight a lot amongst themselves it could open the door for Minny to slip through. A win in Detroit for the Vikes will pull them even with one of Dallas or New York. If Atlanta loses in Carolina than thats another team that the Vikings are even with. The Vikings schedule certainly does look like it could allow them to finish up 4-1 and give them a 10-6 record. Based on what I see I'm going to go out on a limb and take the Vikings and Giants to be the Wild Card teams with Atlanta and Tampa just missing out.

AFC
East

New England has been beat up all year, but the weak division will let them have another crack at the post season. If healthy.....they could ruffle some feathers.

South

Indianapolis next question.

North

Cincinatti and Pittsburgh are fighting it out. At this time of year a team like Pittsburgh should start to excell in a coldweather division. Cinci is an exciting young team, but I think they'll fall off a bit here. I take the Steelers.

West

Denver has it wrapped.

Wild Cards
Cincinatti, Jacksonville, San Diego, Kansa City are all 8-3 or 7-4 right now. Cinci still has a bit to prove, but the offence has been good, and Carson Palmer has had a great year. At worst I see Cinci finishing 3-2 which will still give them an 11-5 record. Jacksonville has a honey of a schedule but now has to do it without Leftwich. Still at worst they should finish 3-2 unless they really melt down. If both these teams finish 3-2 they pretty much run the Chiefs and Chargers out of the playoffs. The Chargers have to play Denver, in K.C., and in Indy. Theres at least one and probably two more losses there. Kansas City has a tough tough schedule to go as all 5 teams currently have 7 or more wins. Best case the Chiefs miraculously go 4-1. The Chiefs would need Pittsburgh to finish 2-3, San Diego to also go 2-3, and finish out 3-2 or better themselves to get in. They need too many favors from other teams. Not gonna happen. Cinci and Jacksonville get the two WC spots.

Should be an interesting finish.

[Flickered Flame]

Syl, I agree with most of your picks but I think the Chiefs will make it as a WildCard instead of Jacksonville. Losing Leftwich will kill that team imo.

[moon]

NFC

West- Seattle
North- Chicago
South- Carolina
East- NY Giants

Wild Card- Tampa Bay Dallas

Seattle is a given and I think Chicago has enough of a lead to hold on easily as well. NY is a better team than Dallas and I think they will hold them off but eiother way both get into the play-offs. The last spot comes down to Atlanta and Tampa Bay in my mind as Carolina should win their division. I don't have much faith in a Mike Vick lead team and think that despite a good running game and defense that Atlanta is not as good as Tampa Bay. Don't think that Minnesota will have enough to come back and make the wild card.

AFC

North- Pittsburgh
East- New England
South- Indy
West- Denver

Wild Card- San Diego and Cincinatti

Tough race for the wild card but I just don't think KC and Jacksonville especially with KC's schedule and Jack without Leftwich are good enough to make it. Even with Leftwich and an easy schedule I am not that confident in Jacksonville. San Diego and Cinci are much better than KC and Jacksonville and deserve to go imo.

[Pagal4321]

Solid post SylvanFan......Finally a thread I can put some thinkin into.

AFC
East
New England takes it. Weak division allows them to sneak in. I think they'll get healthier and perhaps play spoiler in the semi's. I'm just shocked they didn't clain Lenny Walls off waivers.
North
I'll stick with Cincinnati, Steelers looked REALLY shakey. It'll take Big Ben a few games to get back to game form.
South
Indy. Must I say anything to justify this pick??
West
Denver, they are looking REALLY good these days. Long as Jake the Snake doesn't give the ball away they will be fine.
WILD CARD
Jacksonville has a ######edly easy schedule, outside of the Colts game, so they will get one of these two positions. The second will go to Pittsburgh, as much as I like the Chargers, just don't think they'll make it with such a tough schedule.

NFC
East
Dallas looks like the better team in this division. At the start of the season I would have stated Philly in a walk, my how things change.
North
Gotta hand it to Da Bears, they are showing a strong strong defense and a solid running game. Always a good combination. Hopefully the division comes down to that final game of the season vs. Vikings though. THAT would make for interesting football.
South
Carolina, I guess, they are just TOO streaky for me to figure out. One week they look like the class of the NFC, the next they look mighty ordinairy. But I'll give them the benefit of a doubt.
West
Seattle, no one else really has a chance.
Wild Card
Alright....if there was a crossover rule(ala CFL this would be alot easier), but clearly that's never happening. I gotta go with Tampa...playing the next THREE games at home. Then at ATL then at NO, I can see them pulling it off. I'm sure you can all guess who I think the 2nd team is....hopefully the Vikes can keep it up.

[AaronSJ]

Just for fun, I'm going to take a stab at the playoff teams and their records...

AFC
1. Indy (16-0) - They're just that good...
2. Denver (12-4) - Maybe the only team that poses a challenge to the Colts... however I think they'll lose this weekend and their final game (@ SD).
3. Pittsburgh (11-5) - I think they'll beat the Bengals this weekend, lose to the Bears the following weekend, and win out. They'll win the division on the tiebreaker.
4. New England (9-7) - They're getting a little healthier and they've got a pretty easy schedule. However, I think they'll lose their wild card game.
5. Cincinnati (11-5) - Slipping a little... I think they need to win in Pittsburgh this weekend to win the division.
6. Jacksonville (11-5) - They play Indy, and four of the worst teams in the league -- Garrard is a very good backup QB... they'll win at least three of these.

OUT: San Diego (10-6) - They need to win 4 of 5... and I think Week 16 @ Kansas City will kill them.
OUT: Chiefs (9-7) - Very, very tough schedule left.

NFC

1. Seattle (12-4) - I think they'll lose their last two games and still finish 1st.
2. Chicago (12-4) - A couple of tough games left, but their defense gives them a chance every weekend.
3. Carolina (11-5) - Four tough games left... but three of them are at home.
4. New York Giants (10-6) - If they can beat Dallas at home this weekend, the rest of their schedule is pretty easy.
5. Dallas (10-6) - I think they're a solid team, but I lost some confidence in them on Turkey Day... (they'll finish 5th because NYG will beat them by >3 points this weekend).
6. Tampa Bay (10-6) - It all comes down to Week 16 at home against Atlanta... and I think the Bucs will beat them again.

OUT: Atlanta (9-7) - Three tough road games lead to their demise.
OUT: Minnesota (8-8) - 257 points allowed in 11 games does not equal a playoff spot.

Playoffs (for now, at least...)

Cincy over New England
Pittsburgh over Jax
Carolina over Tampa
Dallas over New York (Parcells wins when it counts)

Indy over Cincy
Denver over Pittsburgh
Dallas over Seattle (see a theme here?)
Chicago over Carolina (Defense @ home)

Indy over Denver
Dallas over Chicago

Indy over Dallas