AFC Playoff Picture - 4 games left

[Mile High Mania]

Ok, so I know that most care very little about this, but it is football. You're going to watch the season end and the playoffs, so I'm curious as to your thoughts on how things might play out.

After week 13, we have the following:

#1 - Texans (11-1)
#2 - Patriots (9-3)
#3 - Ravens (9-3)
#4 - Broncos (9-3)
#5 - Colts (8-4)
#6 - Steelers (7-5)

Looking to get in are the Bengals at 7-5, then a gaggle of spares like the Jets are clinging to unrealistic chances of advancing.

And, thanks to the Steelers defeating the Ravens, we have a 3-way tie at 9-3, thus moving the Patriots into the #2 seed for now.

Texans and Patriots are set up to get the bye if the playoffs ended today, with the Steelers palying at Baltimore and the Colts playing at Denver.

Remaining Schedules:

Texans -
@ Patriots
Colts
Vikings (?)
@ Colts

Patriots -
Texans
49ers
@ Jaguars
Dolpins

Ravens -
@ Redskins
Broncos
Giants
@ Bengals

Broncos -
@ Raiders
@ Ravens
Browns
Chiefs

Colts -
Titans
@ Texans
@ Chiefs
Texans

Steelers -
Chargers
@ Cowboys
Bengals
Browns

Bengals -
Cowboys
@ Eagles
@ Steelers
Ravens

I listed the Cowboys as tough because honestly you just don't know with that damn team, they have the firepower, but are far from dominant.

The Bengals have a hell of a stretch to get into that top 6 right now, especially if they lose to the Steelers.

The Ravens and Texans, to me, have the toughest schedules at this point. Patriots have 2 tough games and really, the Broncos just have the Ravens. Yes, Oakland on their turf could be a tough one, but they seem pretty deflated.

I think it will be interesting to watch how the seeds shuffle, if at all. Denver needs to go 3-1, worst case if they plan to move up from #4 and into the top 2. Texans and Patriots need to stumble against their remaining teams - and a lot rides on the Colts/Texans as they play twice.

Either way, I think Denver can move into #3 fairly easily if they can defeat the Ravens, but they'll need some help to leap into #2 since NE has the H2H tiebreaker.

I don't think HOU will lose hold of the #1 seed though, not with 4 left and a 2 game lead.

Your thoughts? (aside from "do not care")

[keg in kc]

I thought they were the team to beat a few weeks back but I think the (personnel) losses are going to start to catch up to Houston.

[Mile High Mania]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

I thought they were the team to beat a few weeks back but I think the (personnel) losses are going to start to catch up to Houston.

I think the last few weeks have been a good wake up call for them, winning two big games in OT back to back ... against teams they should have defeated easily. Good morale builder.

I think they still have a damn fine team.

[TEX]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

I thought they were the team to beat a few weeks back but I think the (personnel) losses are going to start to catch up to Houston.

They're getting players back now. Cody played yesterday and Tate was available. They're also pretty darn deep. Look at how the "reserves" did yesterday. They're still the team to beat in the AFC imo regardless of what happens in New England next Monday.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

It's Houston, New England....and then everyone else

[Mile High Mania]

Originally Posted by PGM

It's Houston, New England....and then everyone else

Until proven differently, you're correct... NE has history on their side, HOU has something to prove. They'll both be tested pretty well in the final 4 games.