Just a little bit of shuffling in the playoff picture this week: one new team on each side and one new divisional leader from each conference. As always, the following analysis is based on calculating any un-played games as ties.
Starting off with the AFC, the Patriots have emerged as the divisional leader by being the only team above .500. Up North, the Ravens still have the lead but suffered a massive defeat at the hands of the Texans. Regardless, they still have a game and a half lead over the Steelers. Down South, the aforementioned Texans improved their position by routing the Ravens. And out West, the Broncos and Chargers were both off, so Denver remains on top.
As for the AFC wild card, there are four teams tie with 3-3 records (one from each division): Miami, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, and San Diego. The Chargers take the #5 seed via best conference record. The Dolphins have the current claim to the #6 for the same reason.
All of the AFC's divisional leaders have different records, so ordering them is pretty straightforward. Here's how the AFC playoff picture currently looks:
As for the NFC, the Giants maintained the lead in the East by knocking off the Redskins. The Bears still hold a half game lead over the Vikings in the North as both won this week. The 6-0 Falcons had the week off and still rein supreme in the South: their closest competition (the Saints and Buccaneers) are both 4 games back. Out west, the 49ers took over the divisional lead by defeating the Seahawks although the Cardinals loss certainly didn't hurt.
As for the wild card, the Vikings have the best non-division leading record in the league to control the #5 seed. The second wild card comes down to the Packers and Cardinals (Arizona and Seattle have the same record, but the Cardinals get the nod based on head-to-head record). Green Bay gets the spot based on conference record.
The top two spots in the NFC are decided by record: Atlanta has the top spot followed by Chicago. New York and San Francisco have the same record, but the Giants beat the Niners, and so they get the #3 seed. Thus, the NFC playoff picture currently looks as such:
The Texans and Ravens are locked in for next week's picture. The remaining spots will go to four of the Patriots, Broncos, Chargers, Dolphins, Colts, Steelers, Jets, and Titans. On the NFC side, things are more locked up as the Giants, Bears, Falcons, 49ers, and Vikings are all locks for next week leaving just one spot open which will be claimed either by the Cardinals, Seahawks, Packers, Cowboys, or Eagles.
The games in week 8 with the biggest playoff picture impact are:
- San Francisco 49ers @ Arizona Cardinals
- Miami Dolphins @ New York Jets
- Indianapolis Colts @ Tennessee Titans
- New York Giants @ Dallas Cowboys
- Atlanta Falcons @ Philadelphia Eagles
Winner takes the lead in the West. Niners maintain in the playoff picture regardless. Cardinals have to win to get in. Arizona winning would lock in the NFC's playoff picture, but thankfully, this is the Monday night game.
Miami keeps their wild card spot with a win, and overtakes the lead in the East with a win and a Patriot loss. New York could claim a wild card spot with a win and help.
The winner could take over a wild card spot in the AFC with help. The Colts have a better shot than the Titans with a win.
The Giants get the opportunity to avenge their loss in the first game of the season. Regardless of the outcome, New York keeps the lead in the East. Dallas took grab a wild card spot with a win, but they'll need help.
Falcons maintain the division lead regardless, but could drop from the #1 seed with a loss and a Chicago win. The Eagles have an outside chance at moving into a wild card spot with a win but would need a lot of help (even more than Dallas).
No comments:
Post a Comment