Thank you San Fransisco 49ers. First of all I was 4-0 with my picks going into that game but you screwed up my undefeated week. Secondly you didn’t allow the NFC playoff picture to become any clearer.
If Arizona would have won they would have clinched the division and made everything easier…at least a little bit. The Cardinals still don’t have to do too much and will probably lock up the division soon. They get the Lions this week and the Rams next…not exactly what I would call a daunting schedule.
But now the 49ers are technically alive again in the NFC. Not likely but still alive. At 6-7 they would need to win out (@Philly, Det, @St. Louis) and get help. I would be shocked (SHOCKED) if they were to win this Sunday in Philly at 1:00 pm eastern time….10:00 am pacific time. That’s an early start for the Niners.
Thank you to the Eagles who did actually clear up (or start to at least) the NFC East. They are now in full control of their fate although they were in a very similar position last year before almost blowing it.
Green Bay is still likely to win a wild card spot. They actually clinch a playoff spot this week if they win AND either Dallas or the Giants lose. They play Pittsburgh which a few weeks ago looked like a good game…now I would say the Pack should win relatively easily. If they don’t win they finish the season with Seattle at home and then at Arizona. Not easy but surely not that hard. Green Bay is in.
The New York Giants can’t clinch a spot this week but when Dallas loses to New Orleans on Saturday night (which they will) and the Giants beat the Redskins in Washington on Sunday they will be ahead of Dallas and for the time being will be in the playoffs. In which case they will control their own fate with games against Carolina at home and then on the road against the Vikings who will probably be playing backups in a meaningless game.
Dallas is actually in the right position right now but with games remaining against New Orleans and Philly (with Washington in between) they are going to need to play exceptional football ASAP….not going to happen.
After Dallas there is a logjam of teams hoping both the Giants and the Packers fall apart. Not going to happen. If you are not one of the teams mentioned above you are staying home this January.
Now to the AFC…
The East is a mess. I still think the Jets have a great chance as they should get to 10-6. They welcome the depleted Atlanta Falcons this Sunday to the Meadowlands. Then they play @ Indy and at home against Cincinnati. Sure those teams are good but both should have clinched playoff berths (Indy already has home field advantage) and will be resting players earlier than usual.
The Patriots could throw a wrench into my theory though. They are 8-5 and control their own fate. However the Pats finish with 2 road games (and a home date with Jacksonville) and the Pats are 1-5 on the road and that one win was over Tampa Bay in London. So while they should win this weekend @ Buffalo I wouldn’t bet on it.
The Dolphins are also in the mix but they have a tough schedule left. This week they are @ Tennessee, then home for Houston, and then they welcome the Steelers to Florida. If I am right and the Jets win out the Dolphins (who WILL lose one of the three) will end up 1 game back. But if they can win out they own the tiebreaker with the Jets.
The North is easy. Cincy wins the division with a win OR a Baltimore loss. They will win the division but probably not til next week when they play Kansas City.
The West is also easy. The Chargers will win it. They are 2 games up on Denver and are great in December. They will clinch the division if they win and Denver loses. San Diego will win this week but Denver should beat Oakland. The Chargers will win the division but it might take another week to be official.
As for the Wild Card…just roll some dice. There are 9 teams (if you include all the East teams minus Buffalo) that have a legitimate shot at it. I am not going to get into it here.
To see who I think will get to the playoffs just view my updated Power 12 list.
