2 games to go...
Pats: 11-3 (AFC East Champs)
Bills: 8-6
Chiefs: 8-6
Chargers: 7-7
Steelers: 11-3 (AFC North Champs)
Ravens: 8-6
Jaguars: 10-4
Titans: 8-6
(Dolphins/Raiders left out of the analysis intentionally, too long of a shot)
Some simple truths:
---------------------------
1. Pats win out, they get home field throughout.
2. Chiefs clinch AFC West with another win (vs Dolphins, @Broncos)
3. Jags clinch AFC South with another win (@49ers, @Titans)
For WC teams...
Baltimore has best situation, cake schedule (IND/CIN), and tiebreakers on their side. Win one and they are likely in, and they should win both. I am willing to pencil them in as top WC.
Titans control their destiny but have a tough schedule (vs Rams, vs Jags). I think they lose both, but they are at least at home.
Buffalo needs to win out likely since tiebreakers aren't favorable to them
Chargers need to win out but schedule is favorable (@NYJ, vs Oak)
Give me Chargers for #6 playoff seed at moment
If we assume the Chiefs and Jags can each win one more, the most likely outcome is:
1. Pats (bye)
2. Steelers (bye)
3. Jags
4. Chiefs
5. Ravens
6. Chargers
Pats: 11-3 (AFC East Champs)
Bills: 8-6
Chiefs: 8-6
Chargers: 7-7
Steelers: 11-3 (AFC North Champs)
Ravens: 8-6
Jaguars: 10-4
Titans: 8-6
(Dolphins/Raiders left out of the analysis intentionally, too long of a shot)
Some simple truths:
---------------------------
1. Pats win out, they get home field throughout.
2. Chiefs clinch AFC West with another win (vs Dolphins, @Broncos)
3. Jags clinch AFC South with another win (@49ers, @Titans)
For WC teams...
Baltimore has best situation, cake schedule (IND/CIN), and tiebreakers on their side. Win one and they are likely in, and they should win both. I am willing to pencil them in as top WC.
Titans control their destiny but have a tough schedule (vs Rams, vs Jags). I think they lose both, but they are at least at home.
Buffalo needs to win out likely since tiebreakers aren't favorable to them
Chargers need to win out but schedule is favorable (@NYJ, vs Oak)
Give me Chargers for #6 playoff seed at moment
If we assume the Chiefs and Jags can each win one more, the most likely outcome is:
1. Pats (bye)
2. Steelers (bye)
3. Jags
4. Chiefs
5. Ravens
6. Chargers