NFL NOW

The AFC Playoff Picture
By: David Saurer

Hello everyone. After the much anticipated weekend of snow bowls and weather wrecking havoc, we are sitting two weeks away from the Playoffs. Many teams have taken a rise up in the rankings, while others have falter faster than you can say, OH MY!!! I am here to explain and breakdown the AFC playoff picture in full details. I hope you enjoy this awesome article.

Let us begin with the AFC:

If the playoffs would of began today, this is the scenario that would likely happen.

Starting with the Division Leaders,Number one seed is New England (14-0)whom has already wrapped up the AFC EAST in grand style several weeks back, also cruised their way to the home field advantage throughout the entire playoffs. Sitting at 14-0, seems as if, no one will be able to put a stand to the Patriots. The remaining schedule for New England remains very favorable for the likelihood of going 16-0 into the record books. Combined opponents record is 10-18. Next week facing a 1-13 Miami Dolphins team and then finishing at the Meadowlands against the 9-5 New York Giants which I must say would need to win this game, but highly unlikely it will be achieved. Basically, speaking, New England wrapped things up in grand fashion with nothing left to play for other than to keep the history streak alive.

Number two seed would be the AFC South champions and defending Super Bowl World Champions, Indianapolis Colts (12-2). They got a little bit of danger coming in the last two weeks as two potential opponents that are fighting desperately to keep their playoff hopes alive and can you believe they are right in their own division. They have to face the 7-7 Houston Texans at home which should be a victory and then having the Tennessee Titans who are hanging for dear life at a Wild Card spot at 8-6. Here is the key, The Colts already a lock for number two seed so they get the relief of a first round bye and a chance for Marvin Harrison to get back to 100% in their title defense. So, in reality, the Colts really don’t have much to play for, but they better be extremely careful with two dangerous opponents like I’ve said.

Number Three seed would be the AFC WEST Champions, San Diego Chargers (9-5). Their combined remaining opponents only have a 10-18 record which favors the San Diego for the lock at Number three, that means avoiding New England for one week in the playoffs don’t tell em they have nothing to play for. This weekend they face a 6-8 Denver team and then finishing with the Raiders at Oakland. Good chance they will lock up for number three with an 11-5 record.
Number Four Seed would be the AFC North Tiebreaker Leader and struggling Pittsburgh Steelers. Blowing the game against Jacksonville and Cleveland winning at home against Buffalo has gotten the AFC North race much tighter and too close for comfort. The Steelers do have a very favorable two weeks remaining with St. Louis in the dome and at Baltimore. If they can hang on and win the remaining two games , they will clinch the division and lock up the fourth seed no matter what Cleveland does since the Steelers have swept the season meetings. Steelers fan need to pray now.

WILD CARD PICTURE:

Two hot teams right now are occupying the wildcard.

Number Five would go to the Jacksonville Jaguars at 10-4. The Jaguars victory over Pittsburgh sent a clear message to the entire AFC and just about solidify themselves for the number five seed. This Jaguars team is very dangerous and very well capable of surprising a lot of fans in the playoffs, they could very well give the Patriots some fits if they last that long. Their remaining schedule favors the Jaguars to finish at 12-4. This weekend is Oakland and then finishing at home against Houston.

Number Six and Final Seed would go to the AFC NORTH and the most surprising and dangerous AFC team in the NFL this season, The Cleveland Browns. They are smoking hot and playing their best football of the season, big win over Buffalo in the Snow Bowl at home sure sent a message to the Steelers, then having to travel to Cincinnati this weekend and that could be a trap game, but then finishing at home to San Francisco should give them a Win to close out the season. They still have a shot at the number four seed for the divisional crown. You can certainly say, the Steelers-Browns rivalry has turned up a whole new level of hatred.

Still in the Hunt:

Tennessee Titans: They are facing a very weak Jets team and then a dangerous Colts team that is resting for the playoffs. They could very well pull a stunner or pack their bags up for the year. My prediction is, they pack up and go home. Not enough gas in the tank.

Next time, I will break down the NFC playoff picture. For the Pigskin B&G, I am PsychoWard86, David. Hope to get you reading more of my good articles. So long.

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