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Saturday, December 09, 2006

AFC Wildcard

We are heading into week 14 of the NFL season with the playoffs right around the corner. The AFC Wildcard spots are going to be tough to get. Let's take a look at who is still in the running and who I think will represent the AFC.

Division winners are clear for now with the following winners:

AFC East: NE Patriots
AFC North: Bal Ravens
AFC South: Ind Colts
AFC West: SD Chargers

As for the wildcard spots, there are only two spots left with the following teams who are trying to qualify along with their remaining schedules:

NY Jets (Buf, @Min, @Mia, Oak)
Cin Bengals (Oak, @Ind, @Den, Pit)
Jax Jaguars (Ind, @Ten, NE, @KC)
KC Chiefs (Bal, @SD, @Oak, Jax)
Den Broncos (@SD, @Arz, Cin, SF)

All of these teams above have a 7-5 record with just four games left. Whoever can win at least three of the four is virtually guaranteed a spot. That is easier said than done, so we will start with the first team on the list, the NY Jets.

The NY Jets are the team I like most because their schedule is the most favorable. They should beat Buf at home considering Buf is 2-4 on the road. Then, heading into Min should not be tough, because Min is no longer strong and they have lost five of the last six games with the only win coming against Arz. The game at Miami might be tough because Mia is playing better as of late. Even if they lose this game, they still get Oak at home the week after, which should be a breeze for them. So, I see the Jets going 3-1 down the stretch.

I really like the Bengals making the playoffs, but they really have a tough schedule all year. The first game is a breeze with Oak coming into town. Next, they travel to Ind, which they have been able to play tough. I do not see them winning this game though, with Ind still having to play for home field advantage. Next, going to Den should be a tough battle, but Cin is more well rounded then Den and should pull this game off. Finally, they get Pit at home, and this is going to be a big revenge game for the Bengals. The team who eliminated them last year from the playoffs could do so again, but Palmer will be motivated to beat them since they injured him last year. So, I see the Bengals going 3-1 down the stretch.

The Jaguars are not playing like the team from last year. They have lost some crucial games against unworthy opponents, like Hou twice and Buf. Their first game against Ind will be a low scoring affair, and if Ind did not lose last week, I would have picked the Jags. However, I do not see Ind losing back to back, and they will beat the Jags in a very close game. Next, the Jags head into Ten, a team who is playing like the best team in the league right now. The Jags have not been playing well on the road this season and Ten will beat them. They face the Patriots the week after, and I can see the Jags winning this game. They play good at home against tough opponents. Finally, they go to KC and will find it tough to win at Arrowhead Stadium. They will lose this game also and go 1-3 down the stretch.

The Chiefs will face the Ravens first. They will get beaten up physically, but will find a way to win this game at home. Next, they face the Chargers in SD, they have no chance of winning this game. The Chargers D will be bringing the pressure, and KC will not be able to move the ball. Next, they go to Oak which will not be a breeze for them. Being that this is a division game, the Raiders always play the Chiefs tough, and this could be the game that prevents the Chiefs from making the playoffs. But nahhh, I see the Raiders blowing it and the Chiefs will come out alive. Finally, they get the Jags at home and I already picked the Chiefs in this one. So, the Chiefs will be 3-1 down the stretch.

The Broncos probably did everyone a favor by starting Cutler, thus ending their season early. I see them getting hammered at SD. Then, they will get by the Cards in Arz. They will lose to Cin as described above. Finally, they will beat SF, but a little too late. They will be 2-2 down the stretch.

This puts the Jets, Bengals, and Chiefs tied at 10-6 each to end the season. The tie breaker is simple, head to head, the Bengals beat the Chiefs in week 1 and the Chiefs also have the worst AFC record with both the Jets and Bengals better against AFC opponents. Thus, the AFC Wildcard spots will belong to the NY Jets, and Cin Bengals.

3 Comments:

Blogger Unknown said...

Next, they go to Oak which will not be a breeze for them

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