Who's gonna miss the playoffs?

matthew8

Since 1996, at least 5 teams that made the playoffs the preceding year failed to make them the next year. So who's it going to be in 2012? You must pick at least 5 teams. Right now the only 2 I would bank on to go back to the playoffs are New England and Green Bay.

mikemac1

Bengals, Steelers,
Ravens to win the division but it won't be dominating, could be just 10 wins. Not a strong year for the AFC North plus they play the NFC East this year


Falcons, Saints,
Panthers to win the division and be the leading rushing team in the NFC


Detroit Lions going backwards this year, just have a feeling

frostie500

Couldnt pick five to be honest. Went with Saints, Lions and Bengals.

I think that with the Saints penalties the Falcons are very well placed for a playoff berth the Lions are going to finish third in their division as long as the Bears have Cutler fit for the season and the AFC North will not put through three teams again and the bengals are the weakest of the trio...

If I had to add another team Id pick the Giants to have a superbowl hangover and a resurgent Eagles to keep them out but its too hard to know because we've no idea how RGIII will do at the Skins or whether the Cowboys can have a decent team. The great thing agout the NFC East is that all the teams in it could beat one another so it makes for a very fluid division over the next few years.

No way the Niners dont make the playoff and the Broncos should be back again on the basis of number 18

Spongey1975

I went with......

Giants. Barely snuck in last year combined with a possible Superbowl hangover and a tough division means i think they will miss out.

Lions. All dependant on whether Stafford & Megatron maintain last years stats but with a much stronger Bears (assuming Cutler stays healthy) could mean they narrowly miss out.

Saints. All the troubles, a missing head coach and a resurgent Panthers & Bucs means they wont win the division.

Bengals. Sophmore slump for Mister Dalton and a tough division means they could miss out on a wild card spot.

Broncos. This one is just cos i have to pick five. Im not betting against Manning guiding the Broncos to win the division but it will be tough if their division opponents main stars stay healthy

JaMarcus Hustle

On top of all the Saints' troubles next year (No Payton, Vilma, Nicks and no 1st or 2nd round draft picks), they have a ridiculously brutal schedule. Panthers (twice), Falcons (twice), Packers, Chiefs, Chargers, Broncos, Eagles, 49ers, Giants and Cowboys are all games they could easily lose, and there's no telling what the Bucs (twice) will do next year. I don't think Brees can carry the team by himself without Payton's help. Saints under 9.5 wins was my first big bet of the season.

kryogen

I picked Saints, Begals, Broncos and Giants

HigginsJ

Didn't realise had to pick 5

49er's : Smith will turn the ball over alot more, Gore's fitness issues

Saints: Bountygate and Brees holdout (If saints had no offseason issues I think the Falcons could miss out but I think they will win that division by default now)

Bengals: Brutal Divison, they could be a better team this year with a worse record

And 2 i'm just guessing here

Broncos: Will Manning be fit, hard to see McGahee having as good a year again, poor draft imo

Ravens: Had to select 5 so here goes, Flacco to not live up to his bst in league prediction, Reed and Lewis too old and Tsizzle's injury will be worse than feared

JaMarcus Hustle

I can't believe 4 people picked the Texans. Most complete team in the NFL imo, talent all over the field and most imporantly, on the coaching staff too. AFC favourites if you ask me.

But to miss out on the Playoffs? I'd love to know which of the Titans, Jaguars or Colts that those 4 people think will steal it from them. The best price you'll get on them to win the AFC South is 1/5 - no other team is such overwhelming favourites to win their division.

Amirani

Giants, Falcons, Saints, Bengals and Broncos for me.

matthew8

JaMarcus Hustle wrote: »

I can't believe 4 people picked the Texans. Most complete team in the NFL imo, talent all over the field and most imporantly, on the coaching staff too. AFC favourites if you ask me.

But to miss out on the Playoffs? I'd love to know which of the Titans, Jaguars or Colts that those 4 people think will steal it from them. The best price you'll get on them to win the AFC South is 1/5 - no other team is such overwhelming favourites to win their division.

The questions is who else do you pick? I picked the Bengals, Lions, Falcons, Giants and Steelers. But really I very much fancy the Steelers to make the playoffs next year. I'm surprised Baltimore hasn't received more votes. I think our defense is complete enough to pull through without sizzle but there's a very real possibility we could go out. I guess we should be thankful our schedule is so hard though, seeing as we win all the tough ones, but we don't usually beat Brady/Manning, and they're both on the schedule.

HigginsJ

JaMarcus Hustle wrote: »

I can't believe 4 people picked the Texans. Most complete team in the NFL imo, talent all over the field and most imporantly, on the coaching staff too. AFC favourites if you ask me.

But to miss out on the Playoffs? I'd love to know which of the Titans, Jaguars or Colts that those 4 people think will steal it from them. The best price you'll get on them to win the AFC South is 1/5 - no other team is such overwhelming favourites to win their division.

Titans could be considered a threat to them (locker starting, cj2k bounce back) but would be shock if the Texans didn't steamroll that division.

helimachoptor

JaMarcus Hustle wrote: »

I can't believe 4 people picked the Texans. Most complete team in the NFL imo, talent all over the field and most imporantly, on the coaching staff too. AFC favourites if you ask me.

But to miss out on the Playoffs? I'd love to know which of the Titans, Jaguars or Colts that those 4 people think will steal it from them. The best price you'll get on them to win the AFC South is 1/5 - no other team is such overwhelming favourites to win their division.

im a titans fan, will take sonething epic for the texans not to win the division tbh and something even bigger for them not to make the playoffs at all

mikemac1

HigginsJ wrote: »

Reed and Lewis too old

People say that every year
May be leaders on the team but nobody is claiming they are the best players on the D anymore
Not even top three players

Important yes but the team can play without them
Lewis missed four games last year and Reed missed six the year before that

HigginsJ

mikemac1 wrote: »

People say that every year
May be leaders on the team but nobody is claiming they are the best players on the D anymore
Not even top three players

Important yes but the team can play without them
Lewis missed four games last year and Reed missed six the year before that

Was clutching at straws to find a 5th team to miss out.

And it will eventually have to be true.

Mr. Guappa

Patriots, Packers, 49ers and Texans are near locks to make the playoffs, leaving 5 out of 8 to miss out. I'll take the Ravens, Falcons and Giants to make the play-offs too. That leaves the Saints, Lions, Bengals, Steelers and Broncos missing out.

matthew8

I don't think the Ravens defense will take too much of a hit next year. Kruger is fine at rushing the passer and will do well behind Ngata.

davyjose

HigginsJ wrote: »

Didn't realise had to pick 5

49er's : Smith will turn the ball over alot more, Gore's fitness issues

Saints: Bountygate and Brees holdout (If saints had no offseason issues I think the Falcons could miss out but I think they will win that division by default now)

Bengals: Brutal Divison, they could be a better team this year with a worse record

And 2 i'm just guessing here

Broncos: Will Manning be fit, hard to see McGahee having as good a year again, poor draft imo

Ravens: Had to select 5 so here goes, Flacco to not live up to his bst in league prediction, Reed and Lewis too old and Tsizzle's injury will be worse than feared

Only picked three myself. Same as your first three. Can't see Peyton not punching his way out of the paper bag that is the AFC West, unless he's actually finished. And Steelers were actually nearly one of my picks. Baltimore are the team to beat in the AFC North IMO.

davyjose

matthew8 wrote: »

Since 1996, at least 5 teams that made the playoffs the preceding year failed to make them the next year. So who's it going to be in 2012? You must pick at least 5 teams. Right now the only 2 I would bank on to go back to the playoffs are New England and Green Bay.

Why do we have to pick 5 teams? if we don't really believe 5 teams won't make the playoffs, then it's not an accurate poll.

matthew8

davyjose wrote: »

Why do we have to pick 5 teams? if we don't really believe 5 teams won't make the playoffs, then it's not an accurate poll.

That's the point. It's a crapshoot. It always seems unbelievable that 5 teams drop off but it always happens. It would be pointless if there was no rule because everyone would just pick the Bengals.

JaMarcus Hustle

matthew8 wrote: »

That's the point. It's a crapshoot. It always seems unbelievable that 5 teams drop off but it always happens. It would be pointless if there was no rule because everyone would just pick the Bengals.

That's an amazing statistic. I read your OP as "since 2006" which I thought was pretty cool, but only seen now that it actually says 1996. Bloody hell.

Matt Santos

I think this year is going to see a huge sea change in the League. There will be some huge franchises scratching their heads at the end of this one.
Both Baltimore and Pittsburgh think they have a God given right to play offs but I for one think Cincinnati are gonna kick on from last year. Both Detroit and Chicago are vastly improved of late and Green Bay have to be careful.
Houston are bomb proof but I thought this last year and injuries done them.
Carolina are on the verge of a break through and Saints are gonna suffer big.
Atlanta are starting to show that they are a one dimesional side that can only challenge at home.
49 ers are a lock in the weakest Division and Denver with Peyton on board can surely go further than with Tebow calling the plays..
The huge drop is in the AFC east where I think New England may run out of the season with all of the other Eastern teams gettin bulked up.
What price....
Detroit
Carolina
Philadelphia
San Francisco
Denver
Jets
Houston
Cincinnati
Baltimore
Miami
Chicago
Dallas
No Patriots, Steelers, Saints, Packers, Giants, Colts or Chargers.....

JaMarcus Hustle

Matt Santos wrote: »

What price....
Detroit
Carolina
Philadelphia
San Francisco
Denver
Jets
Houston
Cincinnati
Baltimore
Miami
Chicago
Dallas
No Patriots, Steelers, Saints, Packers, Giants, Colts or Chargers.....

Whatever price you do get, let me know and I'll quadruple it

HigginsJ

JaMarcus Hustle wrote: »

Whatever price you do get, let me know and I'll quadruple it

And then some

CoachTO

Matt Santos wrote: »

The huge drop is in the AFC east where I think New England may run out of the season with all of the other Eastern teams gettin bulked up.

No Patriots, Steelers, Saints, Packers, Giants, Colts or Chargers.....

This baffled me for many reasons. You say the biggest drop will be the AFC East and the other teams bulked up but Im failing to see where. The Fish will be non existent as usual. They will probably pull off a couple of upsets. The Bills and Jets have done well drafting and picking up guys in the Free Agency but so have the Pats.

As it stands neither the Jets or Bills have the offense to go toe to toe with the Pats. Defensively we know Ryan will work his magic with the Jets and the Bills have done well filling gaps but again so have the Pats and time will tell. You put the Pats on that bet and you might as well throw your cash out the window.

It will be a very competitive division and you will get 2 teams coming from the AFC East to the playoffs in my eyes and the way I see it the Pats + Jets/Bills

matthew8

CoachTO wrote: »

This baffled me for many reasons. You say the biggest drop will be the AFC East and the other teams bulked up but Im failing to see where. The Fish will be non existent as usual. They will probably pull off a couple of upsets. The Bills and Jets have done well drafting and picking up guys in the Free Agency but so have the Pats.

As it stands neither the Jets or Bills have the offense to go toe to toe with the Pats. Defensively we know Ryan will work his magic with the Jets and the Bills have done well filling gaps but again so have the Pats and time will tell. You put the Pats on that bet and you might as well throw your cash out the window.

It will be a very competitive division and you will get 2 teams coming from the AFC East to the playoffs in my eyes and the way I see it the Pats + Jets/Bills

I agree with you for the most part but Fitz is capable of having big games, of course last year against the Patriots in Buffalo he came through, and against Baltimore in 2010 he tore us up and we were lucky to win. Their offense has some great potential if Fitz cuts down on the picks.

Danger_dave1

New York Giants

Superbowl Hangover would one reason. The other is the Eagles will be better , the Cowboys will be better and the Redskins could possibly be better but no worse they'll compete. Such a tough division. My pick is Eagles/Cowboys for play off spot and divisional winner. The Giants have the tougher schedule.

Detroit Lions

The Bears would have made the play offs if they had either Jay Cutler or Matt Forte fit for the end of the season. With both fit they'll have an easier schedule than the Lions. Now i could still see the lions make it. Megatron is just so unbelievable you never know.

Denver Bronco's
As I've stated in the Denver Bronco's thread I don't see Peython Manning lasting enough games to get them to the play offs. Plus they have to play the AFC North and NFC South and go to Foxboro .

Atlanta Falcons
It was a toss up between the Falcons or the Saints not making the play offs. If the Saints workout Brees's contract i can see them winning the division. Theres something about Atlanta that i don't like, they just seem meh.

Cincinnati Bengals
If Dalton can play close to the level he was at the start of the season than i think the Bengals could sneak a wild card. But i think teams will have enough tape on him now and figure him out, he wasn't impressive at all from week 14ish on wards even into the play offs. I could see the Ravens having a poor season with the offense having to shoulder more pressure than there used to but the Bengals had an easy schedule last year and limped into the play offs.

CoachTO

matthew8 wrote: »

I agree with you for the most part but Fitz is capable of having big games, of course last year against the Patriots in Buffalo he came through, and against Baltimore in 2010 he tore us up and we were lucky to win. Their offense has some great potential if Fitz cuts down on the picks.

I agree for the most part and I am a fan of Fitzy but the Pats secondary made a lot of offenses look special last season including the Bills. Now not to say the Bills dont have talent as they do but I feel if the Pats secondary learns from its mistakes it will make life harder for the Bills. When you look at the Bills offense they really only have Jackson, Fitzy, Johnson and maybe Spiller if he has finally shaken his dancing in the backfield. The rest are guys who can play ball when opportunity arises.

UnitedIrishman

Went with Bengals, Lions, Broncos and then the 49ers and Texans as two 'other' picks that if could go back would probably change one of them to the Giants/Saints.

Based it on -

Packers and Patriots are very strong. Both have improved on defence during the draft where they've suffered the last couple of years. If Brady and Rodgers stay fit, they should win their divisions. Fancy the Packers to go around 10-6 or 11-5 and Pats the same or better.

Ravens and Steelers will battle it out for honours in the AFC North and again I think that the loser in that will still manage a wildcard spot. The Benglas were good last year and had a good draft this year, but I fear things will get a lot harder for Andy Dalton. The Texans (fair enough, they've a pretty savage defence) shut him down big time in the playoffs and sides will have looked at that closely. They may start well, and they'll need to, but the last 5 games of the season will really test them (@ Chargers, v. Dallas, @ Eagles, @ Steelers, vs. Ravens). They'd do well to pick up 1-2 wins from those.

Saints are going to struggle given 'bountygate'. Payton being their playcaller, missing for a number of games (dunno how many exactly), aswell as not having any top picks in the draft and a number of suspended players - doesn't bode well. Falcons should take that division given their abilities at home and some of their away fixtures are well winnable (Tampa, Washington, Kansas, etc).

Picking the Broncos was mainly due to schedule. Much harder than last year, despite the Manning effect. Between themselves and the Chargers for that division all the same.

The tough ones were 49ers and Texans. Firstly, I think Alex Smith is in for a tough season next year. Fair enough they've given him some weapons but there's also more pressure if he fails to perform, and they didn't exactly give him a massive confidence boost by chasing other QB's in the offseason. Also, for some mad reason I think Seattle might do something this season. Add in Arizona giving Kolb/Skelton some more options and you've a tougher division for the 49ers. That said I'd still expect them to be pushing hard come the end of the season.

The Texans pick was more to do with having to pick one more and I think the Titans could be in with a chance to top the division if CJ2K gets his act together and Locker progresses further.

RGIII

If people still think the NFC West is the weakest division, they haven't wtched much football the past year. The way the 49ers made the jump to a great team last year means they could make the jump back down just as easy. They aren't the 'lock' many people think.