After 16 exciting, tumultuous weeks, we’re finally at the end of the NFL regular season. Tomorrow, several playoff hopefuls will take the field, knowing that they could be doing so for the last time in the 2008 season if they can’t close the deal.
Now, there are a million and one different scenarios that can play out, especially if you take into consideration ties (which best not happen)
Here’s our look at the AFC playoff picture, along with predictions for how things will shake out on Sunday. Who’s going to be celebrating deep into Sunday night, and who’s going to be left ruing missed opportunities?
AFC
Clinched: Tennessee (13-2 – #1), Pittsburgh (11-4 – #2), Indianapolis (11-4 – #5)
Currently In: Miami (10-5 – #3), Denver (8-7 – #4), Baltimore (10-5 – #6)
Tennessee clinched home-field with last week’s 31-14 win over Pittsburgh, and even with the loss, Pittsburgh has the #2 seed and a first-round bye already secured. Indianapolis is arguably the hottest team in the NFL right now, having won eight in a row, so they’re looking as dangerous as a #5 seed could.
For the other three teams in favorable positions, the road isn’t too smooth for the two potential division champions.
It’s amazing enough that Miami has gone from 1-15 to being on the cusp of the postseason, so even if they don’t make it, it’s a job well done by Tony Sparano. All they need to do to put the ultimate capper on their turnaround and win the AFC East is win at New York. How sweet it would be for Chad Pennington to stick it to his old team, who’d have every right to gloat after the Jets quickly dumped him after trading for Brett Favre.
If the Dolphins lose, then it opens the door for New England to win the division with a win at Buffalo. This is one that I’m waffling on a little, simply because Buffalo doesn’t really have a lot to play before besides pride, and they’re facing a team who’s thrived on mediocre/bad teams and has scored 96 points in the last two weeks…but at the same time, the Bills certainly didn’t roll over in Denver, did they?
Even if the Jets beat Miami, there are no guarantees. They’ll be relying on either Buffalo to beat New England in order to clinch the AFC East, and if that one falls through, then Jacksonville will have to beat Baltimore to give them the #6 seed.
Speaking of the Ravens, their task would seem to be the easiest – beat 5-10 Jacksonville at home, and they’re in. Of course, there is a slight chance that the Jaguars could play like the team that we all thought they would and win. However, even if the Ravens lose, they can still clinch the #6 and a showdown against either the Dolphins or Jets if the Pats lose to the Bills.
One of those double-digit win teams who gets left out might feel pretty sore about seeing an 8-8 team from the AFC West get to play in January. But, somebody’s got to win the division, and thanks to Denver doing their best to throw it away in the last few weeks, San Diego can win their way in with a win over the Broncos at home.
I imagine Norv Turner and the Bolts will probably shake their head tomorrow after beating the Broncos and wonder how they got in despite bumbling their way through most of the season and looking absolutely nothing like a contender until last week’s win at Tampa.
Predictions
#3 Seed (AFC East Winner): New York Jets – I think the Jets will wake up just in time to rescue their postseason hopes, and they’ll get some help from the Bills to get in as a division winner.
New England has had their struggles against the conference’s better teams, but they’ve feasted on the likes of the Bills. However, a healthy Trent Edwards spurred the Bills on in their win at Denver last week, and though I’m not 100% on it, I’ll take the upset in Buffalo.
#4 Seed (AFC West Winner): San Diego Chargers – San Diego looks to have finally woken up, and that means the Broncos’ playoff hopes are going goodnight.
#6 Seed (Wild Card): Baltimore Ravens – Jacksonville, disappointing as they have been, could yet play the spoiler role. However, I don’t see it happening.
Next up, I’ll take a look at the playoff picture in the NFC, where there is even more up for grabs than in the AFC.
If you’d like to look at all of the playoff possibilities from both the AFC and NFC, check out CBS Sports’ breakdown of all of the playoff scenarios.
