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XML 7 Playoff Picture: AFC Edition
Every season, teams battle for six chances in each conference to get to one goal...a shot at reaching the XML Bowl. Six XML Champions have been crowned, and a seventh is only weeks away from being the next. With the season winding down, its time to break down the playoff picture and show what each team can do to clinch a playoff spot, and a chance at getting to the 7th XML Bowl. This thread will cover the AFC side of the XML. Click the link at the bottom to see the NFC Playoff Picture.
x - Clinched playoff
y - Clinched Wild Card
z - Clinched Division
* - Clinched Division and Homefield Advantage
AFC Division Leaders (W-L-T, Conference Record, Division Record)
1.) New England Patriots (10-2, 8-1, 4-0)
2.) Tennessee Titans (10-2, 7-2, 3-0)
3.) San Diego Chargers (9-3, 7-2, 5-0)
4.) Cincinnati Bengals (8-3-1, 6-3-1, 2-3)
AFC Wild Card Leaders
5.) Houston Texans (9-3, 6-3, 2-2)
6.) Miami Dolphins (8-4, 5-4, 1-2)
AFC Teams "In The Hunt"
7.) Baltimore Ravens (8-4, 4-4, 3-1)
8.) Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6, 5-5, 3-1)
9.) Denver Broncos (6-6, 4-5, 2-3)
10.) Oakland Raiders (5-7, 5-5, 2-2)
11.) Indianapolis Colts (5-7, 3-5, 1-2)
The AFC, just like in previous seasons of the XML, is very top heavy. Therefore, the playoff picture isn't as foggy as the NFC playoff picture is through Week 14. The New England Patriots and Tennessee Titans have been the class of the AFC thus far. The Patriots started off their season 10-0 behind a powerhouse offense led by Tom Brady, and alternating roles from TEs Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. When Gronkowski went down, Hernandez stepped up and is now top 10 in receiving in the league. But they've lost their last two games which has allowed the Dolphins to gain some ground. Things could get interesting if they were to falter a loss to the Redskins or Broncos before their week 16 matchup in Miami. But with 3 of their 4 remaining opponents having a .500 record or worse, the Patriots are likely to wrap this division up soon. From there, they'll have to fight off the Titans and Chargers for homefield advantage.
The Titans remained quiet early in the season, with all eyes on Houston, Jacksonville, and Indy. But through mid-season, it would be the Titans and the Texans battling for position in the AFC South. In their week 7 matchup, the Titans blew the Texans away with a 34-13 victory, taking sole possession of the division, and they havent let it go since. They do meet again in week 17, which could be interesting should both teams continue their winning ways through the remainder of the season. That should be easy for the Titans, with their other 3 opponents having a .500 record or less. But two of those opponents are the Jags and Colts, who are hungry to play spoiler for their division rivals.
The San Diego Chargers started their season off 1-3, and many thought that it was going to be over. But since that 1-3 start, the Chargers have won 8 straight to claim the title as the hottest team in the league. It would appear they are going to be able to run away with their division, with their spectacular division record. But they'll have to win at least one more game to officially clinch the West. They'll look to do that in Week 14 against the 2-10 Buffalo Bills. Three of their last four opponents have a losing record.
The Cincinnati Bengals are a team in flux right now. They started their season off 7-0-1, but have since lost their owner and now have dropped 3 of their last 4. Though they hope to find new ownership soon, the Baltimore Ravens caught a lot of ground on them. Their tie with the Jaguars is helping them stay in front for now. They'll meet with the Texans in Week 14.
The Texans started off 6-0 and were praised by many as being apart of the AFCs elite. But since their loss to their division rival Tennessee Titans, they haven't won two games in a row, leaving them at a 9-3 record. They still have a chance to keep up with the Titans, which could lead to a week 17 showdown for the division title. But 3 of their last 4 opponents have winning records (Bengals, Panthers, Titans), and their other opponent is a revenge ridden Colts team, looking for payback from their Week 1 meeting that resulted in a 55-35 thumping for Houston. With that tough of a schedule, it could be tough for the Texans to even keep up in the wild-card race, let alone their division title race.
The Dolphins, like the Chargers, got off to an extremely slow start. Drew Brees and the offense were not clicking through the first seven weeks. But in their last six games, they are 6-0, giving them a 8-4 record. Mark Ingram has been the staple of the offense, allowing Drew Brees to work at a much better pace. They gained big time ground on the Patriots and could put them on for a scare if they are to continue their winning ways, but it'll be tough as they face the Eagles, and then have rematches with all three of their division rivals.
The Ravens are yet another team that has made a big time turnaround. They lost four of their first six, but since have won six straight, also bringing them to a 8-4 record. With the Bengals struggling to find ownership, the Ravens are primed to take over the division lead. But their final four opponents won't make it easy for them. The Colts, Chargers, and Browns should all be able to put up a fight with them, before their week 17 matchup with the current division leading Bengals. It will be interesting to see how things shake up by then.
The Steelers, Broncos, Colts, and Raiders are all alive in their division races. But wins by their division leaders over the next couple of weeks could knock all four of them out by the end of Week 15.
The Bills, Jets, Jaguars, Chiefs, and Browns have all been eliminated from playoff contention in 2011.
For the NFC Playoff Picture, click here =>>> https://xml12.forumotion.com/t368-the-2011-12-xml-7-playoff-picture-nfc-edition#1882
