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Post by Colts GM (Darryl) on Oct 21, 2020 11:48:03 GMT -5
Here we go guys! Mid-Season and the race begins...
Let's start with the NFC Seeding Order, where the playoff picture is often muddied and a loss can change the dynamics in an instant.
Division Leaders Rams 6-0 Conf: 5-0 (All-Play)
Redskins 6-0 Conf: 5-0
Panthers 4-2 Conf: 3-2 (All-Play)
Lions 4-2 Conf: 3-2
Wildcard Leaders
Seahawks 4-2 Conf: 4-1
Eagles 4-2 Conf: 3-2 (All-Play)
Near Outside Chance
Giants 4-2 Conf: 3-2 (All-Play)
Falcons 4-2 Conf: 3-2 (All-Play)
Packers 4-2 Conf: 3-2
Bears 3-3 Conf: 2-3 (All-Play)
Saints 3-3 Conf: 2-3
Now, let's break-down the current AFC Race.
Division Leaders
Raiders 6-0 Conf: 5-0
Dolphns 5-1 Conf: 4-1
Steelers 4-2 Conf: 4-1
Titans 4-2 Conf: 3-2
Wildcard Leaders
Patriots 4-2 Conf: 4-1 (H-2-H)
Jets 4-2 Conf: 3-2
Near Outside Chance
Broncos 3-3 Conf: 3-2 (H-2-H)
Chiefs 3-3 Conf: 3-2
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Post by Colts GM (Darryl) on Oct 28, 2020 10:42:17 GMT -5
Starting here in Week 7, Last week we mentioned the playoff picture could change in an instant with a loss in the NFC Conference. But when there are no conference games, as in the case this week, losses are hard to come by. In fact, the ONLY significant loss was by the Chicago Bears, who opted out of contention this year. All current leaders and their respective positions remain the same. Division LeadersRams 7-0 Conf: 5-0 (All-Play) Redskins 7-0 Conf: 5-0 Panthers 5-2 Conf: 3-2 (All-Play) Lions 5-2 Conf: 3-2 Wildcard LeadersSeahawks 5-2 Conf: 4-1 Eagles 5-2 Conf: 3-2 (H-2-H) (All-Play) Near Outside ChanceGiants 5-2 Conf: 3-2 (All-Play) Falcons 5-2 Conf: 3-2 (All-Play) Packers 5-2 Conf: 3-2 Saints 4-3 Conf: 2-3 Since there were largely winners in the NFC this week, this means mostly losses in the AFC Conference. Mostly. Titans, Jets & Bills walk away winners and have each respectively moved up a seed on the chart. Division LeadersRaiders 6-1 Conf: 5-0 Dolphns 5-2 Conf: 4-1 Titans 5-2 Conf: 3-2 Steelers 4-3 Conf: 4-1
Wildcard LeadersJets 5-2 Conf: 3-2 Patriots 4-3 Conf: 4-1
Near Outside ChanceBroncos 3-4 Conf: 3-2 (H-2-H) Chiefs 3-4 Conf: 3-2
Bills 3-4 Conf: 2-3
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Post by Colts GM (Darryl) on Nov 4, 2020 11:07:06 GMT -5
Entering the final stretch to regular season play, who are the real contenders? A couple of teams have already [unofficially] won their respective divisions and have secured a playoff spot. But then again, have they? The upcoming week's contest will be telling. Many toss-ups still loom, including: performance, bye's, injuries and spoilers.
NFC Conference
Division LeadersRams 8-0 Conf: 6-0 Redskins 7-1 Conf: 5-1 Panthers 6-2 Conf: 4-2 (H-2-H) Lions 6-2 Conf: 4-2 Wildcard LeadersSeahawks 6-2 Conf: 5-1 Giants 6-2 Conf: 4-2 (All-Play) Near Outside ChanceFalcons 6-2 Conf: 4-2
Eagles 5-3 Conf: 3-3
Outside Chance Packers 4-4 Conf: 3-3
Cowboys 4-4 Conf: 2-4 (All-Play)
Saints 4-4 Conf: 2-4
AFC ConferenceDivision LeadersRaiders 7-1 Conf: 6-0 Titans 6-2 Conf: 4-2 (All-Play)
Jets 6-2 Conf: 4-2
Steelers 5-3 Conf: 5-1 Wildcard LeadersDolphns 5-3 Conf: 4-2 (H-2-H) Patriots 5-3 Conf: 5-1 Near Outside ChanceBroncos 4-4 Conf: 4-2
Outside Chance
Ravens 3-5 Conf: 3-3
Jaguars 3-5 Conf: 3-3
Chiefs 3-5 Conf: 3-3 Bills 3-5 Conf: 2-4
*Subject to Change
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Post by Colts GM (Darryl) on Nov 5, 2020 12:37:12 GMT -5
NFC Notes & Observations
I must say...at this point I am loving the competition in the NFC! Both the Packers (4-4) and Cowboys (4-4), currently with an outside chance, are fighting for a playoff birth. Each team's respective path to reaching the playoff's, first of all goes via the final Wildcard spot, which is occupied as of now by the Eagles (5-3). Noteworthy here, is the fact that the defending Superbowl Champion Packers are still in the hunt for the division title, as they currently stand two games behind division leader Detroit Lions (6-2). This brings us to focusing on the upcoming remaining schedule, which gets brutal from this point forward. Game of Week!... Cowboys v. PackersMeanwhile, the race in the NFC East is far from decided. With but four games remaining, Washington currently leads the division by one game over the Giants of New York, two over the Eagles, and three over the Cowboys. Other games to watch this week include: Giants v. Lions; Eagles vs. Vikings (Philly must take advantage of their reprieve); and Football Team vs. Bears (like Philly, Washington must take advantage of their schedule this week).
Remaining divisional races in the NFC are no less exciting, but is more a matter of vying for playoff positioning. In the South, the Falcons (6-2), whom are in a virtual tie with the division leader Panthers (6-2), has a tougher schedule than Carolina, which includes these teams meeting for one final bout. They will host the West Division leading Rams (8-0) this week, in which should prove to be a good match-up, whereas the Panthers, enjoying their own reprieve, will host the Arizona Cardinals (2-6). Seahawks (6-2) also receive a break this week as they should officially eliminate the New Orleans Saints (4-4) from contention.
All in all, this tis the season for spoilers. the Eagles, Football Team, Panthers & Seahawks must try to avoid an upset this week to maintain at least a hold on their current positions.
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Post by Colts GM (Darryl) on Nov 18, 2020 13:05:08 GMT -5
With but two games remaining in the regular season, and changes to the 2020 Playoff Schedule implemented, which now includes seven (7) teams, here's a preview of the current standings.
AFC CONFERENCE
The AFC Conference is already decided. Raiders, Titans and Steelers have clinched their respective division titles. The AFC East remains undecided. In any case, the only matter left to be determined is the actual order of the playoff teams.
Division Leaders
Raiders - Own the #1 Seed and will receive a 1st round bye. Even if they implode and lose one of the next couple of games, which is unlikely, their position is most likely secured.
Titans - Are in the drivers seat to the #2 Seed. They will face the Chargers and Jaguars for their final two games. The Steelers, Patriots and/or Dolphins lie in wait in case of an unlikely upset. (Currently, they are set to take on the #7 Seeded Broncos in the 1st Playoff Game).
Patriots - A win over the Jets gives the Patriots the #3 Seed. They will face the Bengals this week, followed by a showdown with division-rival Dolphins for their season finale. They control their own destiny as they are currently set to host the #6 Seed Jets in the 2nd Playoff Game.
Steelers - Own the #4 Seed. However, they may have opportunity to climb pending the outcome of the remaining games in this conference. Currently, they are set to host the #5 Dolphins for the 3rd Playoff Game.
Wildcard
Dolphins - Are the #5 Seed and are in a virtual tie with the Patriots, but the Patriots own the tie-breaker. Like their division rival, they face the lowly Browns this week before placing it all on the line in their season finale. Barring an unforeseen and unlikely loss in one of the "give me" games, the winner of that game wins the division title.
Jets - The 3rd AFC East team to make the playoffs, are the #6 Seed, and also in a virtual tie with division leading Patriots. They have little, if any, chance of securing the division title. (They would need to win out and both the Patriots and Dolphins would each have to lose one of their two remaining games). Additionally, their road to advancement is a lot tougher then their rivals. Facing the Steelers and division rival Bills their final two games. The good news, is that win, lose, or draw, Jets are in.
Broncos - Will secure the final Seed, barring an upset by the Colts this week AND a super-studded performance by the Ravens over the final two games. Ravens have 22 games of All-Play to make-up for in this scenario. If ever there was a Cinderfella.....
*Subject to Change
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Post by Colts GM (Darryl) on Nov 18, 2020 16:12:54 GMT -5
NFC CONFERENCE The NFC Conference, unlike the AFC, is far from decided. The Rams and Lions have successfully secured their respective division title. The East and South have yet to be decided. Further, as expected, the final playoff picture is unclear, as any number of scenarios can change the platform. The addition of the 7th Wildcard spot will definitely muddy the waters in the playoffs.
Division Leaders
Rams - Are the #1 Seed win lose or draw over the next couple of games. They will face the Saints and Seahawks, respectively., to close out their season, and enjoy a 1st round bye.
Panthers - The #2 Seed, can secure the division title as they need but 1 win between the 49's and division rival Bucs. I'm sure they'll be hoping to get that win sooner, rather than later. Currently, they are scheduled to face the #7 Seahawks in Game 1.
Giants - With a win over the Cowboys, coupled with a Washington loss to the Eagles, Giants move into the #3 Seed. Owning the tie-breaker over the Football team, and one game ahead of Philadelphia, they'll face the Vikings this week before closing out the season in a divisional battle with the Eagles. As of now they'll face the #6 Eagles in Game 2.
Lions - Having won their division, has secured the #4 Seed. The #5 Redskins are currently scheduled for Game 3. Redskins defeated the Lions in Game 5 of the regular season...but this is the playoffs where anything is possible.
Wildcard Leaders Redskins - #5 Seed, are in a virtual tie with the Giants where the latter owns the tie-breaker. They'll need to defeat both the Packers and the Cowboys in their final games AND will need a Giants loss to win the division.
Eagles - Are 1 game behind the Giants and Football Team, owning the #6 Seed. Although a long shot, they still have a chance at the division title. Unfortunately, it will take 2 consecutive losses by the Giants, AND Washington loss AND finishing their season with wins over the Lions and Giants.
Seahawks - Own the final Seed...#7, and now control their own destiny. Suffering back-2-back losses (Saints & 49'ers) placed them in a defending position. They'll face the Falcons (who are lying in wait) and Rams to end the regular season. A loss could open the door for either the Falcons or Bucs to make their entry into the playoffs.
*Subject to Change
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