AFC Playoff race

My new Prediction

Buffalo, KC, Cincinnati, Tennessee win their division

Baltimore, LA, NY get in. 

Miami will lose to Buffalo, NYJ, and Probably the Packers to flame out.

That week 18 game in Miami could be win and in for both teams. 

I hope Jacksonville catches Tennessee. They suck. 

posted by friendfromlowry

I hope Jacksonville catches Tennessee. They suck. 

Agreed, except the Jags need to lose to the Jets. 

For shits and giggles. 

Well, three of my "most improved teams" for this year in Detroit, Jacksonville and the NYJ's are showing up. Would love Detroit to somehow sneak in. Dan Campbell may be a bit of a meathead but he's got that team believing and they are developing a culture.

Updated standings (week 15)

IN:

Buffalo 11-3 - Clinched Playoff Berth 

KC 11-3 - Clinched Playoff Berth and Division

Cincinnati 10-4

Tennessee 7-7

Baltimore 9-5

LA 8-6

Miami 8-6

In contention:

Jets 7-7

Patriots 7-7

Jacksonville 6-8 (only get in if they win the division)

Buffalo clinches the division with a Miami loss or win against the Bears. Bengals clinch with a win over NE or a Jest loss. Baltimore can clinch with a win over Atlanta and any 2 of Miami, NE, or the Jets losing. Chargers clinch with a win, Jets loss, Patriots loss, AND LV loss.

I stand by my prediction from last week. 

Buffalo, KC, Cincinnati, Tennessee win their division

Baltimore, LA, NY get in. 

Jets aren't winning out. Playoffs aren't happening.

looks like i'm right about miami. but it looks like new england is gonna slide in instead of NYJ, 

posted by j_crazy

looks like i'm right about miami. but it looks like new england is gonna slide in instead of NYJ, 

I only hope Buffalo has a shot at #1 in week 18. Jets can win both games but need help to still get in.

Hopefully the Browns KO the Stillers' hopes

posted by QuakerOats

Hopefully the Browns KO the Stillers' hopes

I'll be VERY surprised if this happens. Steelers offense is garbage but they seem to have found a newfound rushing attack which is the Browns Achilles Heel.

I think Pittsburgh will find a way because they have a lot more on the line. Playoffs are possibly involved and I'm sure they'll want to keep Tomlin's + .500 streak intact. All the Browns are playing for is the spoiler role. If things start to go South for them, I can see them lying down like beaten dogs.

Browns have way more talent but Pittsburgh has way better coaching.

posted by BR1986FB

 but Pittsburgh has way better coaching.

Maybe in the regular season.  Certainly not in the playoffs.

Getting humiliated by a team who's coaching staff was decimated by covid isn't exactly one of Tomlin's finer moments.

posted by gut

Maybe in the regular season.  Certainly not in the playoffs.

Getting humiliated by a team who's coaching staff was decimated by covid isn't exactly one of Tomlin's finer moments.

I get the ripping of Canada as a poor OC and I don't think Tomlin's exactly an "X's & O's" guy but he knows how to motivate and get his teams up.

There's not a player on Pittsburgh's offense that I'd want over any of the Browns starters, including WR, yet Tomlin continues to make chicken salad out of chicken shit, on the offensive side of the ball. 

I know the defense is to credit for keeping them in games but outside of Watt, Fitzpatrick and (maybe) Heyward there's not much I'd want on the defensive side of the ball either.

Tomlin should be COY this year just with what he's been able to do with a squad that's clearly in transition.

posted by BR1986FB

I get the ripping of Canada as a poor OC and I don't think Tomlin's exactly an "X's & O's" guy but he knows how to motivate and get his teams up.

There's not a player on Pittsburgh's offense that I'd want over any of the Browns starters, including WR, yet Tomlin continues to make chicken salad out of chicken shit, on the offensive side of the ball. 

I know the defense is to credit for keeping them in games but outside of Watt, Fitzpatrick and (maybe) Heyward there's not much I'd want on the defensive side of the ball either.

Tomlin should be COY this year just with what he's been able to do with a squad that's clearly in transition.

i think stefanski is out and sean payton is in for cleveland. if not then i really don't see much upside for cleveland. 

posted by j_crazy

i think stefanski is out and sean payton is in for cleveland. if not then i really don't see much upside for cleveland. 

If Stefanski would give up play calling he might be ok but that will never happen. I think he believes he's some kind of offensive savant. Payton would be interesting but I can't see him working for Haslam.

posted by BR1986FB

Tomlin should be COY this year just with what he's been able to do with a squad that's clearly in transition.

LOL get the fuck out.  COY for 8-9 wins?!?  He's beaten CIN the first game of the year which can only be described as a massive fluke, and then a backup QB for BAL.  Then he beat 6 other non-winning teams, includingTampa with a hungover Tom Brady the day after Kraft's wedding.

PIT is currently in its longest drought without a playoff win in 50 years.  And they've been humiliated the last 3-4 playoff games with the "defensive-minded" HC's defense giving up 40+.

Tomlin is extremely overrated.  His team is not lacking in talent, especially on defense.  And Vegas had them 7.5 over/under on wins to start the year.  PIT is not nearly as bad as you think, especially being relatively healthy this year...you just think that because early in the year against actual good teams you saw how outclassed they are in talent AND especially coaching.  Not to mention, it's a team that's marginally better (save maybe QB) than it was two years prior when it won 12 and 9+ games.  Wholly unsurprising a very average team with a very average coach wins about half its games.

You win 8-9 games in the NFL just by flipping a coin.  That's basically what Tomlin and his "non-losing" seasons have accomplished.  That's a participation trophy if I've ever seen one.

posted by j_crazy

i think stefanski is out and sean payton is in for cleveland. if not then i really don't see much upside for cleveland. 

I bet they give Stefanski one more year, they'll say he deserves a full year with Watson blah, blah blah  

If he uses the year to turn over the play-calling, maybe he can be successful; otherwise the waste of the talent level over the last 3 years will be heartbreaking.  So, because it's Cleveland, that will happen.

posted by gut

LOL get the fuck out.  COY for 8-9 wins?!?  He's beaten CIN the first game of the year which can only be described as a massive fluke, and then a backup QB for BAL.  Then he beat 6 other non-winning teams, includingTampa with a hungover Tom Brady the day after Kraft's wedding.

PIT is currently in its longest drought without a playoff win in 50 years.  And they've been humiliated the last 3-4 playoff games with the "defensive-minded" HC's defense giving up 40+.

Tomlin is extremely overrated.  His team is not lacking in talent, especially on defense.  And Vegas had them 7.5 over/under on wins to start the year.  PIT is not nearly as bad as you think, especially being relatively healthy this year...you just think that because early in the year against actual good teams you saw how outclassed they are in talent AND especially coaching.  Not to mention, it's a team that's marginally better (save maybe QB) than it was two years prior when it won 12 and 9+ games.  Wholly unsurprising a very average team with a very average coach wins about half its games.

You win 8-9 games in the NFL just by flipping a coin.  That's basically what Tomlin and his "non-losing" seasons have accomplished.  That's a participation trophy if I've ever seen one.

With that offensive roster, he's lucky to have gotten 4-5 wins, let alone 8. That's why he should be considered. That offense is shit and Kenny Tebow isn't leading them anywhere.