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NFL: Predicting The playoffs

By Eric Saar

Oct 26, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) on the field in the third quarter. The Seahawks defeated the Panthers 13-9 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 26, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) on the field in the third quarter. The Seahawks defeated the Panthers 13-9 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Who will make, win in the NFL playoffs?

With one game completed in week nine of the NFL regular season, teams are starting to look at what they are going to need to do to make that playoff push. They may need to make adjustments to win close games against divisional opponents to win a tiebreaker to slip into the postseason.

Some NFL teams are practically locks to win their division, while others may appear so, but a tough late-season schedule could mess up those plans. Other teams could get on a hot streak and burst into the playoffs firing on all cylinders.

The NFC

Current state

Currently, the Arizona Cardinals are leading the way at 6-1 with the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys right behind at 6-2 (since they haven’t had their bye week yet, but Arizona has). Despite only a 4-4 record after beating the Carolina Panthers on Thursday night, the New Orleans Saints hold the NFC South lead and get the final division spot. The wild card slots would be filled by the Philadelphia Eagles (5-2) and the Green Bay Packers (5-3).

Predicting how it will turn out

Oct 26, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver John Brown (12) celebrates by dancing after a 75 yard touchdown during the second half against the Philadelphia Eagles at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 26, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver John Brown (12) celebrates by dancing after a 75 yard touchdown during the second half against the Philadelphia Eagles at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

Locks- the Cardinals look like a lock to win the NFC West. They already have a lead and don’t have anyone especially foreboding on their schedule. They don’t face the Broncos (again), the Patriots or the Packers. In fact their remaining schedule is: Dallas Cowboys, St. Louis Rams, Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons, Kansas City Chiefs, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers. Only really the Lions and probably one of the Seahawk games plus a random one are losses, putting the Cardinals at 12-4.

The Lions are going into their bye week and need to have some players heal. Then they’ll come out against the Dolphins and after winning that game go 5-2, finishing at 12-4.

The Cowboys will probably lose to Arizona on Sunday, then go 5-2 for an overall record of 11-5.

In the hunt- While the New Orleans Saints currently hold the NFC South division lead, their record says they are a .500 team which doesn’t signify playoffs. Things could go their way and they could get in due to being the best team in the division, even if their record isn’t good.

The Eagles’ 5-2 record is good, but it has a lot to do with the schedule. It gets much harder. They’ll probably fall out of contention.

The Packers are on fire and with a decent schedule, will easily nab one of the wild card spots or even snatch the division title away from Detroit if everything goes right.

The 49ers are on the outside looking in and with a brutal schedule down the stretch will likely stay that way.

The reigning champs would also miss the playoffs if they started right now. They have a tough road ahead, but will probably push forward and take the last spot in the NFC.

The AFC

Oct 23, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) following the win over the San Diego Chargers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Chargers 35-21. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (18) following the win over the San Diego Chargers at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Chargers 35-21. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Current state

The Denver Broncos lead the way at 6-1 with the New England Patriots at 6-2 right behind. They play each other this Sunday. The Cincinnati Bengals (4-2-1) and the Indianapolis Colts (5-3) are the other division leaders. The San Diego Chargers and Buffalo Bills, both at 5-3, would be the wild cards.

Predicting how it will turn out

Locks- Clearly, the Broncos and Patriots are locks as they are on fire and a couple of the best teams in the league. While the Bengals haven’t played amazing thus far, their schedule is pretty soft and they’ll end up in the playoffs. So will the Colts. After their by this week, they play the Patriots. That’s the only team that scares you if you’re Indianapolis.

In the hunt- San Diego could sneak into the postseason, but have a tough schedule at the end.

Unfortunately for Buffalo, their schedule is very difficult. They won’t be in the playoffs.

The Baltimore Ravens have a good schedule and are playing well enough to get a wild card spot.

It’ll be a toss-up to see if Pittsburgh will make the playoffs. They have an okay schedule and have been inconsistent.

The Playoffs

I think the NFC will shake out to have the Cardinals beat the Packers for the conference title, while the Broncos will beat the Patriots in the AFC, setting up an epic Superbowl. In the game, set in Glendale, Arizona the hometown team will have their revenge for the preseason loss to the Broncos and win their first Superbowl. This would make them the only team to win a Superbowl in their own stadium.

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