After Monday night's loss the Jets are no longer eligible for the playoffs, which is of note only because for the first time in history an NFL team replaced its starting QB with its third stringer rather than its second--in this case Tim Tebow, whom next year will likely enhance the sanctity of the Arena Football League at the cost of precipitously reducing league average completion percentage. Other prognostications:
AFC
1. Houston Texans: Nope. Don't buy it. See December 10, 2012 and November 18, 2012. If you have to come back at home to beat the Jaguars you deserve to lose/ lack legitimacy. If the Texans play the Ravens and the Ravens defense is moderately healthy they'll lose at home in the divisional game.
2. Denver Broncos: Broncos or the Patriots will most likely represent the AFC in the Superbowl. Assuming this seeding plays out the divisional series between the Patriots and Broncos will represent the AFC Championship. If Manning can turn the ball over 1 or fewer times then the Broncos should win and then beat the Texans in Houston by about 6.
3. New England Patriots: Probably the best team in the NFL as long as Peyton Manning isn't on the other sideline. Sure they recently lost to the 49ers but Belichick probably orchestrated the loss because he recognized the danger of going into the playoffs on a potentially 10 win playoff streak. Superbowl winners aren't long distance runners; they're sprinters that catch their stride at the right time.
4. Baltimore Raves: Should be a contender but they drafted a QB out of the University of Delaware, who no matter how many impressive 4-game streaks he gives you is constrained by the same intrinsic qualities that led to Delaware being the best college that recruited him after he transferred from the University of Pittsburgh.
5 (WC). Indianapolis Colts: Luck's foray into the playoffs. There will be much talk of it being a precursor of great post-season things to come. If the Ravens' defense remains depleted the Colts may pull out a win, if, however, they are healthy Luck will probably throw for 4 pics and a lot of yards and maybe a score late thus mitigating a blow-out.
6 (WC). Cincinnati Bengals: Any year now the Bengals will return to form. Dalton is closing the season out strong (11 TDs and 3 pics in last 6 games) but if the Bengals have to go into Foxboro then the likelihood for success approaches that of the Dave Shula days.
NFC
1. Atlanta Falcons: See note on Texans but replace dates with November 25 and December 9. They'll most likely make it to the conference championship simply because they'll face either a rookie QB or Jay Cutler on the road, which isn't saying much of a difference.
2. Green Bay Packers: If only the Playoffs consisted of your divisional opponents. That's not the case and what are left are four teams currently scheduled to make the playoffs that contributed to the Packers' four losses.
3. San Francisco 49ers: You cannot tie and lose/ almost tie again the St. Louis Rams and expect good things to happen when the NFL filters out its waste and all that remains are 10 or so competitive to good teams. Colin Kapernick hasn't had a bad game yet and one is due. Presumably it will occur in the playoffs and end the 49ers season.
4. Washington Redskins: It would only be fitting that RG3 lead the Skins to their second playoff win since the terrorist attacks on 9-11. As long as the Skins avoid a divisional opponent and the 49ers in the playoffs they will represent the NFC in the Superbowl.
5 (WC). Chicago Bears: Jay Cutler cannot, under any circumstance, give his team 4 good games, which is necessary to win a Superbowl out of the Wildcard. Three is possible, two a near certainty but his addiction to gun-slinging 25 yards down the field into triple coverage prohibits the possibility of any more consecutive wins.
6 (WC). NY Giants: Based on prior seasons, the Giants would be situated perfectly for a Superbowl win at the final Wild Card spot but their recent inconsistency is concerning. If the Giants thrash the Ravens there will be grounds for optimism. However Eli has about reached his average interception total for the season but is around 10 off his TD total.
AFC
1. Houston Texans: Nope. Don't buy it. See December 10, 2012 and November 18, 2012. If you have to come back at home to beat the Jaguars you deserve to lose/ lack legitimacy. If the Texans play the Ravens and the Ravens defense is moderately healthy they'll lose at home in the divisional game.
2. Denver Broncos: Broncos or the Patriots will most likely represent the AFC in the Superbowl. Assuming this seeding plays out the divisional series between the Patriots and Broncos will represent the AFC Championship. If Manning can turn the ball over 1 or fewer times then the Broncos should win and then beat the Texans in Houston by about 6.
3. New England Patriots: Probably the best team in the NFL as long as Peyton Manning isn't on the other sideline. Sure they recently lost to the 49ers but Belichick probably orchestrated the loss because he recognized the danger of going into the playoffs on a potentially 10 win playoff streak. Superbowl winners aren't long distance runners; they're sprinters that catch their stride at the right time.
4. Baltimore Raves: Should be a contender but they drafted a QB out of the University of Delaware, who no matter how many impressive 4-game streaks he gives you is constrained by the same intrinsic qualities that led to Delaware being the best college that recruited him after he transferred from the University of Pittsburgh.
5 (WC). Indianapolis Colts: Luck's foray into the playoffs. There will be much talk of it being a precursor of great post-season things to come. If the Ravens' defense remains depleted the Colts may pull out a win, if, however, they are healthy Luck will probably throw for 4 pics and a lot of yards and maybe a score late thus mitigating a blow-out.
6 (WC). Cincinnati Bengals: Any year now the Bengals will return to form. Dalton is closing the season out strong (11 TDs and 3 pics in last 6 games) but if the Bengals have to go into Foxboro then the likelihood for success approaches that of the Dave Shula days.
NFC
1. Atlanta Falcons: See note on Texans but replace dates with November 25 and December 9. They'll most likely make it to the conference championship simply because they'll face either a rookie QB or Jay Cutler on the road, which isn't saying much of a difference.
2. Green Bay Packers: If only the Playoffs consisted of your divisional opponents. That's not the case and what are left are four teams currently scheduled to make the playoffs that contributed to the Packers' four losses.
3. San Francisco 49ers: You cannot tie and lose/ almost tie again the St. Louis Rams and expect good things to happen when the NFL filters out its waste and all that remains are 10 or so competitive to good teams. Colin Kapernick hasn't had a bad game yet and one is due. Presumably it will occur in the playoffs and end the 49ers season.
4. Washington Redskins: It would only be fitting that RG3 lead the Skins to their second playoff win since the terrorist attacks on 9-11. As long as the Skins avoid a divisional opponent and the 49ers in the playoffs they will represent the NFC in the Superbowl.
5 (WC). Chicago Bears: Jay Cutler cannot, under any circumstance, give his team 4 good games, which is necessary to win a Superbowl out of the Wildcard. Three is possible, two a near certainty but his addiction to gun-slinging 25 yards down the field into triple coverage prohibits the possibility of any more consecutive wins.
6 (WC). NY Giants: Based on prior seasons, the Giants would be situated perfectly for a Superbowl win at the final Wild Card spot but their recent inconsistency is concerning. If the Giants thrash the Ravens there will be grounds for optimism. However Eli has about reached his average interception total for the season but is around 10 off his TD total.
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