The AFC is doin' work

[DeadlyDynasty]

We're 7-8 games into the season and 11/16 teams are at or above .500. Only the donks, jags, colts, fins, and browns are below. If the chiefs win tonight then the afc west is a 3-team race, just like the east--and surprisingly--the north. Of these 11 teams, which do you think are contenders to make the playoffs, and which are not?:

Patriots
Bills
Jets
Steelers
Ravens
Bengals
Texans
ans
Chargers
Raiders
Chiefs

[Warlord23]

There is a surprising amount of parity in the AFC this year (unlike the NFC, where GB and SF are mortal locks for the playoffs). At the moment, there are no 100% playoff locks in the AFC.

Contenders:
- Pats (Leading contender for AFC East)
- Ravens (Leading contender for AFC North, plus easy schedule)
- Texans (Should win a weak division)
- Chargers (Should win an inconsistent division)
- Steelers (Easy schedule plus experience)
- Bills (Up-and-down team, but they lead their division at the moment)
- Bengals (Easy schedule, strong D, promising young QB)

I have 7 teams here, including 3 from the AFC North ... but that's because the North has an easy schedule overall (4 games vs AFC South, 4 vs NFC West). The Texans and Chargers will probably win their weak divisions. Pats/Bills will contend for the AFC East. The 2 WC teams will almost certainly come from the North and the East.

On the bubble:
- Jets (Actually a pretty good team, but will probably just miss out because of a loaded conference, a mediocre start and a fairly strong schedule - remaining games include Bills X 2, Pats, Eagles, Giants, Chiefs). If they can sweep the Bills, they can edge Buffalo for the WC.

Pretenders:
- Chiefs (remaining non-divisional games include Steelers, Pats, Packers, Jets, Bears)
- Raiders (Question mark at QB, plus 4 games left vs NFC North)
- ans (remaining non-divisional games include Bills, Bengals, Falcons, Saints, Bucs)

[lefty]

Pats are cute in the regular season, but too gay for the playoffs

[stretch]

Raiders I think pissed their shot away. They are going to have to be undefeated against the AFC west here on out to have a shot, imo. Either that, or Palmer is going to have to really quickly regain form, which probably wont happen for AT LEAST a month, but probably not until next season.

[Blake]

We're 7-8 games into the season and 11/16 teams are at or above .500. Only the donks, jags, colts, fins, and browns are below. If the chiefs win tonight then the afc west is a 3-team race, just like the east--and surprisingly--the north. Of these 11 teams, which do you think are contenders to make the playoffs, and which are not?:

Patriots
Bills
Jets
Steelers
Ravens
Bengals
Texans
ans
Chargers
Raiders
Chiefs

Bills
Pats
Steelers
Ravens
Houston
San Diego

[HarlemHeat37]

Barring injuries, it will require a historic upset to defeat Green Bay IMO..

Every other team is severely flawed..

[TIMMYtoZO]

Barring injuries, it will require a historic upset to defeat Green Bay IMO..

Every other team is severely flawed..

The Giants have the team to take out the Packers. The Packers D isn't all that good. They give up A LOT of points and yards. Eli Manning is the best qb in the NFL today. Yes, he is even better than Rodgers. The Giants D has the line and secondary to contain the Packers O. Great D beats Great O in the postseason. That has always been the case.

[Fabbs]

How do i recieve the hike for the game clincher?

Just when i thought i'd seen it all.

[vander]

Chargers arrive late to the suck for Luck party

[DeadlyDynasty]

I think the automatic locks for the postseason are:

Steelers
Patriots
Ravens
Texans

Steelers and ravens play this week, and the winner will likely take the division, with the other being a wc.

Next you have:

The AFCW...there's a good chance oakland never recovers, which leaves the chargers and chiefs...kc will be 5-3 after they beat miami, and SD will likely be 4-4 after their packers game...i think it's safe to say only one west team is making it this year, possibly with a 9-7 record.

The ans will likely be phased out in a few weeks due to their schedule, as warlord mentioned.
I don't know what to make of the bengals, but they have 4 games remaining against pit and bal, and their matchup at tennessee this week could loom large down the road.

Lastly, you have the bills and jets--who play a pivotal game this week at the Ralph. Ever since the pats game i've been looking forward to/ fearing this game. I honestly believe this game will define the direction of buffalo's season. If they win, they go 2 up on the jets and put themselves in a great position to win 10 games. If they lose, they'll drop to 3rd in the division and likely will not make it to the playoffs, imo. Line in the sand game...if they win, gets real. Go Bills.