AFC wildcard race

Miami: Can play themselves in. They have 2 home games against Houston & Pittsburgh. Probadly will need some help also.
Pittsburgh: Can also play themselves in. Games against Baltimore & Miami.

New England: Can play themselves out of the playoffs. Games against Jacksonville & Houston won't be easy.
Tennessee: Has to beat San Diego.
NY Jets: Have two tough games (Indy & Cincinnati)
Houston: Has two tough games (Miami & Indy)
Jacksonville: Has to beat New England.

It's a muddled mess! Makes for alot of interesting games this weekend.

 

Baltimore (8-6) plays: at Pittsburgh (7-7) & at Oakland (5-9)

Baltimore could play themselves out of the playoffs as well. Oakland won't be a gimme.

 

How is this a response to what I said?

 

That is no way a stretch...

Without Troy Pal. the Steelers could lose to the Ravens, the Jest will probably lose to both Indy and Cincy. Denver will lose to Philly and I can see the Dolphins losing one of thier games I can see all that happening.

The big question is if they can beat the Chargers..and I say "yes". If they get in..they are going to be a dangerous team to beat.

 

Denver has to lose to Philly AND Oakland. I have run the scenario's and Thelt is right. ALL of that has to happen exactly as he put it or they are out.

 

In one scenario Pitt could actually jump to 5th seed and have to travel to Cinci. Talk about deja vu. This is going to be one helluva football weekend.

 

If the Titans do get in then they will be a difficult team to beat. The Steelers will be scary if they get in too, especially if they get Polumalu back.

 

If the Steelers make it they will have to do it on offense. That sounds strange, don't it ?

 

Yes it is. Regardless of who is favored, they need every team to lose out and they need to win out. That's a very unlikely scenario. It's more unlikely when you consider that some of those favored teams might start resting starters. And the part about winning out is no gimmie, either. They have an awesome Chargers team coming up, followed by a west coast trip to a hostile environment, against a team that plays well at home. I'm rooting for them to pull it off, but I'm not going to bank on it.

If Houston can get by Miami this week, they very well could be the final seed. They play New England week 17, but the Pats will probably have the AFC East clinched, and (besides '07 for obvious reasons) Belichick typically likes to rest players in that situation. If the Texans can get in, they could do some damage. I could see them putting together an Arizona Cardinal-ish run, with the playmakers they have.

 

Houston also would need help. Either Denver lose 2 or lose 1 and baltimore lose 1 or Baltimore lose 2. It will be a whole lot clearer come sunday night.