Afc Playoff Outlook: Who’s Going, Who’s Staying Home?

Indianapolis Colts (10-0)

While the Colts are an obvious lock to reach the playoffs, a number of things will be decided by just how long they stay undefeated.  Any time a team is still undefeated this late, we will of course hear how the only goal is a super bowl, blah, blah, blah.  But you can bet that if they’re 14-0, the starters will play the final two weeks against Buffalo and the J-E-T-S. 

Schedule:

@ Houston

Tennessee

Denver

@ Jacksonville

NY Jets

@ Buffalo

Prediction:  14-2.  Will lose to playoff hopefuls Tennessee and Jacksonville.

Cincinnati Bengals (7-3)

The schedule is very much in their favor;  4 of their last 6 games are against losing teams, including Cleveland and Detroit.  The talent has finally caught up with this team, but after so many years of losing, this is a team still learning how to win, and as such, unpredictable.

Schedule:

Cleveland

Detroit

@ Minnesota

@ San Diego

Kansas City

@ New York Jets

Prediction:  10-6.  Don’t expect them to win at Minnesota or San Diego, and they will probably manage to blow one against either KC or the Jets.

San Diego Chargers (7-3)

The Chargers’ schedule looks good, as well.  They have quietly crept up to the top again, winning six straight.  Playing in the weak AFC west helps quite a bit, as well.

Schedule:

Kansas City

@ Cleveland

@ Dallas

Cincinnati

@ Tennessee

Washington

Prediction:  11-5.   Dallas and Tennessee are the big obstacles.

New England Patriots (7-3)

Obviously, you can never count out the Pats, even if the Dynasty isn’t what it once was.

Schedule:

@ New Orleans

@ Miami

Carolina

@ Buffalo

Jacksonville

@ Houston

Prediction:  10-6.  Losses at the Saints and Dolphins will have them fighting for their playoff lives.  Carolina and Buffalo will fall, and either Jacksonville or Houston could knock them off.

Jacksonville Jaguars (6-4)

The Jags have made it game through ten games, but the rest of the schedule is far too brutal.

Schedule:

@ San Fransisco

Houston

Miami

Indianapolis

@ New England

@ Cleveland

Prediction:  9-7.  Should be 8-4 after the Houston game, but losing three straight against the Dolphins, Colts, and Pats will do them in.

Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4)

A team built to win games after the thermometer drops, that’s exactly what they’ll do.

Schedule:

@ Baltimore

Oakland

@ Cleveland

Green Bay

Baltimore

@ Miami

Prediction:  10-6.  Will lose to the Packers and Miami.  Then on to the playoffs.

Denver Broncos (7-4)

The Broncos fans were screaming for respect a month ago.  They’ll be too busy crying to scream when they don’t even make the playoffs.

Schedule:

@ Kansas City

@ Indianapolis

Oakland

@ Philadelphia

Kansas City

Prediction: 9-7.   Not going to get past the Colts or Eagles, and maybe not Philly or KC (both times) . And 9 wins won’t do it this year.

Baltimore Ravens (5-5)

After a promising 3-0 start, this team fell apart.  Not enough weeks left to save this season.. at least not with that schedule.

Schedule:

Pittsburgh

@Green Bay

Detroit

Chicago

@Pittsburgh

@ Oakland

Prediction:  8-8.  Pittsburgh twice and a date at Lambeau should do it. 

Miami Dolphins (5-5)

This is a team that will not be denied.  The 0-3 start is a distant memory.

Schedule:

@ Buffalo

New England

@ Jacksonville

@ Tennessee

Houston

Pittsburgh

Prediction: 10-6.  Not only make the playoffs after that dismal start, but win the AFC east.

Houston Texans (5-5)

Like the Ravens, the Texans would have to win out, and that’s not going to come near happening.

Schedule:

Indianapolis

@ Jacksonville

Seattle

@ St Louis

@ Miami

New England

Prediction:  7-9.  Should beat Seattle and St. Louis.  That’s about it.

Tennessee Titans (4-6)

The Titans would pretty much have to win out, and as feel good a story as it would be, it’s just not likely;  4 likely playoff teams left on the schedule.

Schedule:

Arizona

@ Indianapolis

St Louis

Miami

San Diego

@ Seattle

Results:  9-7.  They’ll make it close; I see them beating everyone but Miami.

AFC East Champ:  Miami

AFC South Champs:  Indianapolis

AFC West Champs:  San Diego

AFC North Champs:  Cincinnatti

Wild Card Teams:  New England, Pittsburgh

NFC Playoff Outlook

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