The NFL playoffs are just around the corner, and though most New England fans seem to think the playoffs are just a formality this year, there are plenty of teams are still chasing that shiny Lombardi Trophy. With that in mind, here's a look at how the AFC playoff race is stacking up at this point in the season...
|
Seed
|
Team
|
Record
|
Div.
|
Conf.
|
|
1
|
New England Patriots
|
10-0
|
4-0
|
8-0
|
|
2
|
Indianapolis Colts
|
8-2
|
3-0
|
5-2
|
|
3
|
Pittsburgh Steelers
|
7-3
|
4-0
|
5-2
|
|
4
|
San Diego Chargers
|
5-5
|
2-1
|
4-3
|
|
5
|
Jacksonville Jaguars
|
7-3
|
2-2
|
5-2
|
|
6
|
Tennessee Titans
|
6-4
|
2-2
|
3-3
|
|
--
|
Cleveland Browns
|
6-4
|
3-2
|
4-4
|
|
--
|
Denver Broncos
|
5-5
|
2-1
|
5-3
|
|
--
|
Buffalo Bills
|
5-5
|
3-2
|
5-4
|
|
--
|
Houston Texans
|
5-5
|
0-3
|
3-4
|
TIEBREAKERS:
- San Diego wins the tiebreaker over Denver based on head-to-head matchup. (So far.)
- Tennessee wins the tiebreaker over Cleveland based on strength of victory. (.416 to .316)
It's going to get very, very boring every week to talk about the AFC playoffs, because it all comes down to one question: which one of you bastards can beat the Patriots?
Indeed, when even Bill Parcells calls a team the best offensive team in NFL history, everyone stands up and takes notice. It's almost as if the other five spots don't matter.
Oh, but they do matter, folks, because those are the spots that will determine which teams will get their shot at knocking off the supposed king of the mountain -- even though it's the Indianapolis Colts who currently hold the title of "Defending Super Bowl Champions." That seems to have been buried underneath an onslaught of Patriots touchdowns and key Colts injuries.
That said, it seems the Steelers can't get out of their own way long enough to steal that first-round bye away from the Colts. When you have an offensive line that can't stop the Jets from getting to your quarterback, you've got problems. Pittsburgh fans should be thankful that they managed to sweep the Browns, because that may be what decides the division title and the first home playoff game.
The AFC South, meanwhile, sees everyone still in the mix for playoff spots. The Jaguars are rising, though, while the Titans appear to be slipping, thanks to a distinct loss of Albert Haynesworth. The Texans, meanwhile, are back at .500 and could sneak into this race, now that Matt Schaub is throwing touchdowns to Andre Johnson again.
The Browns remain in the hunt, but beating the Dolphins and Rams, while expected, does nothing for their strength of victory ranking. Cleveland could miss the playoffs just because those two teams suck so much.
As for the AFC West ... well, the less said about that division, the better, but it could come down to a Christmas Eve duel between the Chargers and Broncos in San Diego. One city is going to get some coal in its stocking.
THIS WEEK'S IMPACT GAMES:
- Buffalo Bills at Jacksonville Jaguars (SUN, 1:00 PM, CBS): The Jags have managed to keep winning in spite of key injuries, while the Bills have rebounded from a slow start. This is a win the Jags need to have a shot at knocking off the weakened Colts, while the Bills need it just to stay alive in the Wild Card race.
- Houston Texans at Cleveland Browns (SUN, 1:00 PM, CBS): Both these teams are on the outside looking in. One of them needs to make a statement here.
- Baltimore Ravens at San Diego Chargers (SUN, 4:15 PM, CBS): San Diego needs to make a statement here if it wants to win the AFC West. This would be a more interesting game if either team had a worthwhile quarterback.
- Denver Broncos at Chicago Bears (SUN, 4:15 PM, CBS): The Broncos certainly won't fear the weather. They have little reason to fear the defense, either.
- Tennessee Titans at Cincinnati Bengals (SUN, 1:00 PM, CBS): The Titans are struggling and can't afford to drop a third game in a row. Can the Bengals play the spoiler?
- Indianapolis Colts at Atlanta Falcons (THU, 8:00 PM, NFL Network): I do hope Tony Dungy cleans that dirty bird before dropping it in the fryer.
- Miami Dolphins at Pittsburgh Steelers (MON, 8:30 PM, ESPN): The Jets loss puts this Steelers team in question. They have to win this one. If they don't, Mike Tomlin might be forced to show an emotion.
- Philadelphia Eagles at New England Patriots (SUN, 8:15 PM, NBC): Does anyone think this one won't be a blowout? Anyone?
Bookmark this page and visit it every Tuesday at noon EST for the latest AFC playoff picture. Click here for the latest NFC playoff picture.
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. Yea, but who have the Patriots really beaten?
Posted at 1:03PM on Nov 20th 2007 by Scott Sargent
2. the colts you know the only other team regaurded as the best team this year thats who they have beaten. the reason everyone asks who have they beaten that is a real team is because there isnt a team that can match up with them
Posted at 1:22PM on Nov 20th 2007 by greg
3. Cowboys? Colts? Anyone?
I think the real question is who have they not beaten who is really any good?
Posted at 1:28PM on Nov 20th 2007 by PedroiaTheDestroyah
4. I believe that Cleveland will win out and take that fourth spot in the playoff race, just look at the rest of their schedule.
Posted at 1:40PM on Nov 20th 2007 by Justin
5. To Scott Sargent......
EVERYONE!!! A**HOLE
Posted at 2:23PM on Nov 20th 2007 by don
6. "Strength of victory rating." What the hell are you talking about? This is the NFL not BCS.
Posted at 2:39PM on Nov 20th 2007 by GreatR
7. GreatR: "Strength of victory" is an official NFL tiebreaking procedure. It is the combined winning percentage of every team that a given team has defeated.
Since the Titans and Browns' conference records are practically equal -- they're both .500 in the AFC -- and they don't have enough common opponents, the tiebreaker falls to strength of victory, and as it turns out, the teams the Browns have beaten have a worse combined record than the teams the Titans have beaten.
I know this sort of math can be difficult for many FanHouse commenters, so don't feel bad if it flies over your head at first.
Posted at 2:45PM on Nov 20th 2007 by Dave
8. 1. Yea, but who have the Patriots really beaten?
really? have you been paying attention? The answer of course is everyone on their schedule. They really can't do any more than that.
Posted at 4:46PM on Nov 20th 2007 by jmfp51
9. the EAGLES ARE GOJING TO SHOCK THE WORLD SUNDAY IN NEW ENGLAND YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRAST
Posted at 5:19PM on Nov 20th 2007 by bill
10. Where is Seatlle ( Sea hawks)---look's like your being put down today as last year...still you got to the play off's...fate was a cruel master ..you should have won it all DO -IT -ALL this time
Posted at 5:47PM on Nov 20th 2007 by Fredo
11. Not a single network not even New England papers have mentioned the Pats win a division/playoff seed
with a victory this weekend. Which would be another record ,the earliest its ever been done in the history of the NFL.
Posted at 6:30PM on Nov 20th 2007 by ken
12. Tennessee has only lost TWO conference games.
Silly.
Posted at 7:57PM on Nov 20th 2007 by Sandy
13. Wow, the Pats can clinch this week? That's nuts.
Posted at 11:17PM on Nov 20th 2007 by tobrien28
14. In response to #1:
They did beat the Colts but, they raped all of their other opponents.
Posted at 12:03AM on Nov 21st 2007 by Justin
15. Why exactly are the Chargers the 4th seed? They have a 5-5 record. Despite their schedule, Cleveland should have that spot.
Posted at 7:55AM on Nov 21st 2007 by Justin
16. Justin: The Chargers are the #4 seed because they're in first place in the AFC West. If they win their division, they still get the home game, even if Jacksonville's record is better.
Posted at 7:57AM on Nov 21st 2007 by Dave