Playoff Picture and Key Fixtures - AFC and NFC

Paully D

Now we're coming close to the end of the regular season, it's time to look at how the playoff picture is looking. There's also some superb games with huge playoff implications to come over the next few weeks.

AFC:

Division leaders:

Jets (11-1)
Chiefs (11-1)
Bengals (10-2)
Texans (9-3)

Wildcards:

Broncos (8-4)
Colts (8-4)

In the hunt:

Patriots (7-5)
Browns (5-7)
Titans (5-7)

Jets, Chiefs and Bengals have divisions sown up (barring a meltdown of Xbox breaking like proportions in the Jets and Chiefs case). There's a good scrap for the AFC South title and the Patriots will hoping for slip ups from the Broncos or Colts/Texans to take a wildcard spot. Browns and Titans have a very, very slim chance if they win out.

Key fixtures:

Week 14 - Colts @ Bengals, Browns @ Patriots, Titans @ Broncos
Week 15 - Texans @ Colts
Week 16 - Colts @ Chiefs, Broncos @ Texans, Browns @ Jets
Week 17 - Texans @ Titans

NFC:

Division leaders:

Cowboys (11-1)
Seahawks (10-3)
Buccaneers (10-3)
Vikings (10-3)

Wildcards:

Packers (8-4)
Redskins (8-4)

In the hunt:

Bears (8-4)
Eagles (7-6)
Saints (7-6)
49ers (7-6)

The NFC is much less sure. Cowboys, Seahawks and Buccaneers all but have their divisions bagged, but the NFC North is the closest division in the game with three teams right in with a chance and it will go down to the wire. As it stands, the Packers and Bears have the same divisional record, but what separates them is the fact that the Packers beat the Bears 49-42 in week 9 cracker. Knex's Eagles, Carroller's 49ers and my Saints will be hoping to pounce if any of those above them slip up.

Key fixtures:

Week 14 - Chiefs @ Redskins, Cowboys @ Bears, Seahawks @ 49ers,
Week 15 - Eagles @ Vikings, Packers @ Cowboys, 49ers @ Buccaneers
Week 16 - Cowboys @ Redskins, Bears @ Eagles, Colts @ Chiefs, Vikings @ Bengals
Week 17 - Packers @ Bears, Eagles @ Cowboys, Buccaneers @ Saints

Pudsy33

I'm targeting 2 wins, I reckon that'll see me through.

Rock Lesnar

Next 3 games against teams who combined are 30-5.

Looking forward to them :eek:

madalig12

Cowboys finish must be one of the toughest. Not too confident of progressing yet, have some tough match-ups to come one last big push needed.

Paully D

I think it's safe to say that Mikey has the playoff hopes of a lot of teams in his hands!

PADRAIC.M

Just lost to the 9ers!

Carroller

Hopefully boosts my chances of a wildcard

Paully D

Carroller wrote: »

Hopefully boosts my chances of a wildcard

Certainly does mate. OP updated to reflect that result.

helimachoptor

Sterling work paully, I would have a better chance of winning the lotto than seeing the playoffs this year!

Carroller

I'm surprised I'm even at this stage and could be better off if I hadn't lost to the CPU twice! Started off the season 0-6 or 1-6 cants fully remember

madalig12

Carroller wrote: »

I'm surprised I'm even at this stage and could be better off if I hadn't lost to the CPU twice! Started off the season 0-6 or 1-6 cants fully remember

Yeah, fantastic turnaround by you, a top top win tonight aswell, well done, you must be at the top of your game to get one over the Seahawks!

PADRAIC.M

madalig12 wrote: »

Yeah, fantastic turnaround by you, a top top win tonight aswell, well done, you must be at the top of your game to get one over the Seahawks!

Gore was practically unstoppable and it came down to turnovers, I couldn't force a stop so the 2 score lead killed me! Such a different game to when we played earlier in the season, we'll done caroller on finding the sweet plays in the sang ran play book

PADRAIC.M

Also I have giants, the lovely cardinals and the rams in my last 3 games, 2 CPUs..

adrian522

As I'm the only team in the playoffs currently if it's cool with everyone I'll award myself the superbowl and roll to season 2. Best of luck in the draft everyone.

Nelbert

Beat the CPU Lions in the final gameweek and win one of the other two should be enough for the Vikings to get into the playoffs.

madalig12

You are blathering Nelbert, your Vikings are following AP straight through as Division winners, who you trying to kid?

Nelbert

madalig12 wrote: »

You are blathering Nelbert, your Vikings are following AP straight through as Division winners, who you trying to kid?

Don't think its certain yet. Two tough games before I get the CPU Lions. Need to win one of them to be certain.

It will be all on the back of AP and the Pondernator!

Mikeyt086

Paully D wrote: »

I think it's safe to say that Mikey has the playoff hopes of a lot of teams in his hands!

In the interest of fairness I will attempt to batter everyone.

empacher

Three games left need one win which I should get against the CPU rams. Two hard games against teams vying for playoff spots. 49ers and the saints who beat me previously.

I'll be looking for that 2nd seed spot. So hopefully the Seahawks will somehow lose to one of their 3 remaining CPU games. I think I have the tiebreaker from an earlier win. So winning all 3 games will be key for me

Knex*

Nice post, Paully.

Can't help but wonder as to where I might be placed if I didn't take over when 0-3.

Had to sim one game against the Giants too, which I would have loved to have played.

Realistically, I'd have to win my last three games and hope for some major slip ups, so to make a WC berth would take a miracle.

Really enjoyed the league since I joined, however.

Raoul

Mikeyt086 wrote: »

In the interest of fairness I will attempt to batter everyone.

Definitely right with this post. Hopefully you get beaten tonight and then you turn it around and beat the rest. That would be great.

madalig12

Raoul wrote: »

Definitely right with this post. Hopefully you get beaten tonight and then you turn it around and beat the rest. That would be great.

Or not.

Falcons cpu??

guns4all

Great post.

2 CPU games and 2 human games against the Browns and Ravens.

Just hope that loss against the CPU Bills in my 1st game doesn't come back to haunt me in the end!!
Probably have to rely on the results of others to get through though.

Rock Lesnar

I now wish i'd taken a team with more CPU games, 3 human games left, Bengals, Texans and Chiefs :-( then the CPU Jags.

Raoul

Looks like the NFC Wildcard spots will come down to the last day. Myself (10-5) I need to beat the Packers to secure my spot as the Packers have the head-to-head over me with a 6 point win earlier in the season. While a win for the 49ers (9-6) will secure their spot with a win against the Cardinals who have only won one game all season. The 49ers have a better conference record than any of the 4 teams in the running. The Redskins are currently 9-6 and while a win could take them level with the rest of the teams, both the 49ers and the Packers have beaten them this season. The Bears have lost to them but the Bears are if they lose anyway.

So straight up battle for the wildcard spot in week 17 between the Packers and the Bears while the 49ers should go through with an easy CPU win.

helimachoptor

Cards are CPU, one of the PFL guys is babysitting them so they didnt hoover up all the FA talent!

Carroller

Iv been terrible with CPU games so far and the cardinals only win has been against me I'm pretty sure.. but I'm improving so hopefully will be enough to get a win

Raoul

Carroller wrote: »

Iv been terrible with CPU games so far and the cardinals only win has been against me I'm pretty sure.. but I'm improving so hopefully will be enough to get a win

I am praying you lose . I don't fancy going up against Eddie Lacy.

Raoul

What would happen if myself and the Packers finished with a tie game and we both had the same number of wins as the 49ers but had a tie aswell.

Could be interesting .

madalig12

Raoul wrote: »

What would happen if myself and the Packers finished with a tie game and we both had the same number of wins as the 49ers but had a tie aswell.

Could be interesting .

Eddie Lacy says no!

Raoul

madalig12 wrote: »

Eddie Lacy says no!

Here, listen, you would be getting into the playoffs too.

madalig12

Raoul wrote: »

Here, listen, you would be getting into the playoffs too.

Rodgers is listening....... We are 10-5 each, niners are 9-6. If niners win and one of us wins that's 11-6 he's through and the other two are 10-6...won't that go to the win records then? I've beaten the niners.

Raoul

madalig12 wrote: »

Rodgers is listening....... We are 10-5 each, niners are 9-6. If niners win and one of us wins that's 11-6 he's through and the other two are 10-6...won't that go to the win records then? I've beaten the niners.

Ah yes. So you are through already?

Nelbert

Raoul wrote: »

Ah yes. So you are through already?

So one of you is definitely eliminated i.e. loser of the game???

madalig12

Nelbert wrote: »

So one of you is definitely eliminated i.e. loser of the game???

Not sure. i dont know if the bears beat the niners. If i lost i think id get through via my win over sf.

Raoul

madalig12 wrote: »

Not sure. i dont know if the bears beat the niners. If i lost i think id get through via my win over sf.

Yep. This is what I think as well. So no need to play Rodgers or Lacy really.

madalig12

Raoul wrote: »

Yep. This is what I think as well. So no need to play Rodgers or Lacy really.

Injuries are turned off so they play and they play hard.

Raoul

madalig12 wrote: »

Injuries are turned off so they play and they play hard.

I have one player injured at the moment.

Nelbert

madalig12 wrote: »

Not sure. i dont know if the bears beat the niners. If i lost i think id get through via my win over sf.

Damn it! No offence but I'd like one of you gone to help my playoff chances!

Raoul

Nelbert wrote: »

Damn it! No offence but I'd like one of you gone to help my playoff chances!

Scared of your divisional rivals? You fairly hammered me in the last game, not sure what you have to be afraid of.

Carroller

If I win against the cardinals am I in the playoffs? Because I'm lost...

madalig12

Carroller wrote: »

If I win against the cardinals am I in the playoffs? Because I'm lost...

We are not sure it looks like the Bears and Packers may have beaten you so even with a win you will finish on 10-5 along with one of the above thus missing out due to head to head. Thats my thinking but I might be wrong.

Nelbert

Raoul wrote: »

Scared of your divisional rivals? You fairly hammered me in the last game, not sure what you have to be afraid of.

You destroyed me the game before that! The two of you were 4 of the 5 toughest games I had (I'd also like to avoid the Cowgirls!).

Are the CPU Lions out of playoff contention???? Much rather them!

Raoul

madalig12 wrote: »

We are not sure it looks like the Bears and Packers may have beaten you so even with a win you will finish on 10-5 along with one of the above thus missing out due to head to head. Thats my thinking but I might be wrong.

I need to look at it again. Don't know why but I thought he was through with a win

I now think that you need the Packers to win to have any chance. If I win I will have a better record and the Packers will be level with you but have beaten you already this season so they will go through. If the Packers win, you will go through as you have a better conference record than me. Simple as that, you are a big Packers fan (who should be resting their players, sim league!!).

Carroller

I think the packers should play their best players and go into playoffs with great momentum

madalig12

Ah the ol Sim league rule comes out now....this is getting interesting.

Carroller

madalig12 wrote: »

Ah the ol Sim league rule comes out now....this is getting interesting.

What's that?

madalig12

It's the "if you wouldn't see it in the NFL, you shouldn't see it in our league" rule. Meaning if I've already made the playoffs then in real life I wouldn't play my best players. I think he might be kidding though.

Paully D

Lost a CPU sim to the Panthers due to being unable to play my game in week 16. A win there would have left me on 10-6. I'm unsure if that record would even get me into the playoffs via the wildcard, but I will be gutted if it would have.