AFC Playoff Picture

[A.E]

It may be a bit premature but let's consider the fact that already 3 teams have locked up their Divisions, there's only 3 weeks left of the regular season, and hey..."everyone else is doing it."

WHO'S IN
- New England 13-0
*already clinched EAST, we all know the story.
- Indianapolis 10-2
*Clear on their way to 11-2, one more win hands them another SOUTH title.
- San Diego 8-5
*The Chargers have had ups and downs all year but with Denver (6-7) the next in line in the WEST, consider this race over.

IN CHARGE OF THEIR OWN DESTINY
- Pittsburgh 9-4
*Cleveland is 1 game behind, but all the Steelers need to do is win out and they are NORTH Champions.
- Jacksonville 9-4
*Catching the Colts would require a near miracle, but if the Jags can win out...the Wild Card is theirs.
- Cleveland 8-5
*The Browns don't need much more than to finish at 11-5. If Pittsburgh or Jacksonville falters, the Browns will see a higher seed with 3 more wins.

NEED HELP
- Tennessee 7-6
*The Titans loss to San Diego takes them down a huge notch and leaves them hoping for Cleveland and Jacksonville to hit a rough spot.
- Buffalo 7-6
*Classic "underdog", the Bills need Jacksonville, Cleveland, and Tennessee to lose at least 2 or 3 of their remaining games each...while they win their last 3.

OUTSIDE LOOKING IN
- Denver 6-7
*Denver still has a shot at winning the WEST, should San Diego play out the last 3 weeks of the season the same way the played the first 3 weeks of the season.
- Houson 6-7
*A huge long-shot as every team listed above needs to pretty much lose out while Sage Rosenfels leads the Texans to 3 more wins.

AE's Analysis - Taking a look at the next 3 weeks of the season, there's no doubt in my mind that Indianapolis and San Diego win their respective divisions. While the Colts should wrap up the AFC South next week with a win over Oakland, 2 of the Chargers' last 3 games come at home and all against opponents currently under a .500 record.

I like both Pittsburgh and Cleveland to make appearances in the post-season as well, however which one of the 2 wins the AFC North is still up in the air. Pittsburgh has had a habit of playing terrible on the road (2-4) and 2 of their final 3 games come on the road versus Jac, at STL, and at Bal. As for Cleveland, 2 of their last 3 come at home against BUF, at Cin, and SF. Cleveland has only lost 1 game at home this season but I like their schedule much better than the Steelers. I'll hand the Browns the AFC South and Pittsburgh the top Wild Card spot.

Jacksonville seems to be the favorite to take home the final Wild Card in the AFC, however the Jags face 2 of their final 3 games on the road, including a trip to Pittsburgh and a trip to Houston. Pittsburgh will not be an easy game for the Jags to win on the road and for some reason, the Texans have pwned the Jags since they came in to the league. With that being said, Tennessee is my favorite to take the 6th spot. Sounds crazy considering they way they went down today, however Tennessee plays out the easiest remaining schedule with Kansas City, the Jets, and most-likely the Jim Sorgi-lead Colts in Week 17. Tennessee has an even record on the road this season and are 1-4 in their last 5 games but I like the "winner" in Vince Young and I believe that he is at his best when his team has their back to the wall.

AE's AFC PLAYOFF BRACKET
- #6 Tennessee @ #3 San Diego
- #5 Pittsburgh @ #4 Cleveland
- #1 New England = First Round Bye + Homefield
- #2 Indianapolis = First Round Bye

 

[RipCity32]

Looks pretty good to me. But I don't think Cleveland will have enough to get in. I can see Jacksonville though. Will you be making an NFC one too?

 

[A.E]

Looks pretty good to me. But I don't think Cleveland will have enough to get in. I can see Jacksonville though. Will you be making an NFC one too?

NFC has just been posted. Cleveland gets in by default. Buffalo & Houston just don't have the talent to match-up and like I said, Jacksonville plays out a tough schedule where I don't have enough confidence in David Garrard staying healthy or that passing game.

 

[MapleLeaf]

Would love to see the Bills in the playoffs. Because they always seem to be playing in tight close games. Tennessee I had in the plaoyffs I thought, but after today they are back on the bubble.

 

[A.E]

Would love to see the Bills in the playoffs. Because they always seem to be playing in tight close games. Tennessee I had in the plaoyffs I thought, but after today they are back on the bubble.

So would everyone else here in Upstate, NY but unfortunitely for the Bills...their remaining games (at Cle, NYG, at Phi) are just way too much of a hill to climb. Plus, everyone one would need to lose out.

 

[DJT]

I think the Jags will be able to get in over Tennessee. The Titans have been going downhill, well Vince Young has, White is starting to get the ball more now, and the Jags are playing very well, plus their QB who has only thrown 1 INT all year.

 

[The Guid]

Good analysis here man...

I would love to see Cleveland make