AFC - Official Playoff Scenario Thread (Merged Threads)

[Bengals1181]

yes the Bengals lost today, yes its a game they should have won. However, take a look at the AFC.

(assuming Houston beats the Jets tomorrow)



Houston 5-0
Baltimore 4-1
San Diego 3-2
New England 3-2
Cincinnati 3-2

Pittsburgh 2-2
Indianapolis 2-2

New York 2-3
Denver 2-3
Buffalo 2-3
Miami 2-3




Let's face it, the AFC is shaping up to be rather weak this year depth wise. Sure, they dropped a game they should have won, and maybe its a game they needed. We won't know that until 2 months from now. I don't see a team on the schedule the Bengals don't have the talent to beat. Will they win all of them? Of course not, but they're good enough to.

The defense played well today. 2nd week in a row, and even the defense against the Redskins was better than the stats showed.

The offense played a bad game. I think everyone realizes that. However, IMO they are closer to the offense of the last 3 weeks than they are the offense of today.

It's shaping up to be a 4 team race for 3 playoff spots. Cincy/Denver/Pittsburgh/San Diego.

[mongo]

I thought the AFCWest and NFCEast were going to look really tough before the season. Now, I'm not nearly as worried aboutour schedule. It's no cupcake, but it's not too bad either.

[BigDawgBengal]

I am not sold on Denver this year. I really think Pitt and Cincy could get both wildcards.

[Bengals1181]

[quote name='mongo' timestamp='1349669050' post='1167904']
I thought the AFCWest and NFCEast were going to look really tough before the season. Now, I'm not nearly as worried aboutour schedule. It's no cupcake, but it's not too bad either.
[/quote]

I think the AFCWest is going to be 4 average teams beating up each other. I don't think anyone breaks away.

In the East, I don't think anyone but New England ends up with a winning record.

In the South, Jacksonville and Tennessee are already done, and I don't think the Colts have the talent, particularly on defense, to make a run.

[Bengals1181]

[quote name='BigDawgBengal' timestamp='1349669097' post='1167906']
I am not sold on Denver this year. I really think Pitt and Cincy could get both wildcards.
[/quote]


still not sure what to make of Denver. I don't think they're that good, but they're 3 losses are all to pretty good teams.


I'm also still not convinced Manning makes it through the whole season.

[BigDawgBengal]

[quote name='Bengals1181' timestamp='1349669263' post='1167908']



still not sure what to make of Denver. I don't think they're that good, but they're 3 losses are all to pretty good teams.


I'm also still not convinced Manning makes it through the whole season.
[/quote]

Yeah I am not sure Manning makes it either. He just looks a bit off. He was forcing balls into double coverage today. He never used to do that. He also looks to have lost a bit of zip on his ball.

There is a good chance that Denver could lose 3 of their next 5. Maybe even 4 out of 5.

[Bengals1181]

[quote name='BigDawgBengal' timestamp='1349669560' post='1167910']
Yeah I am not sure Manning makes it either. He just looks a bit off. He was forcing balls into double coverage today. He never used to do that. He also looks to have lost a bit of zip on his ball.

There is a good chance that Denver could lose 3 of their next 5. Maybe even 4 out of 5.
[/quote]


I wouldn't say he never used to throw into double coverage. The difference is, now he doesn't have the arm strength to sneak it in there.

Carson had the same issue. He had a rocket, but trusted his arm too much at times. Manning is doing the same thing, without the rocket.

[Lewdog]

[quote name='BigDawgBengal' timestamp='1349669560' post='1167910']
Yeah I am not sure Manning makes it either. He just looks a bit off. He was forcing balls into double coverage today. He never used to do that. He also looks to have lost a bit of zip on his ball.

There is a good chance that Denver could lose 3 of their next 5. Maybe even 4 out of 5.
[/quote]

Denver has a solid make up on offense actually. They have Manning, a solid backfield, two solid TEs, a decent O-line, and three solid receivers in Thomas, Decker, and Caldwell. Their biggest failure is abandoning the running game that did great for them last year, and letting Manning's arm dictate the team's offense.

With that said, I predict a 9-7 team that could make the playoffs.

[BigDawgBengal]

[quote name='Lewdog' timestamp='1349740834' post='1168116']


Denver has a solid make up on offense actually. They have Manning, a solid backfield, two solid TEs, a decent O-line, and three solid receivers in Thomas, Decker, and Caldwell. Their biggest failure is abandoning the running game that did great for them last year, and letting Manning's arm dictate the team's offense.

With that said, I predict a 9-7 team that could make the playoffs.
[/quote]

Your post lost all credibility when you said Caldwell was a solid WR.

[Lewdog]

[quote name='BigDawgBengal' timestamp='1349742790' post='1168131']
Your post lost all credibility when you said Caldwell was a solid WR.
[/quote]

Well he's the #3 guy. Let us not forget certain QBs like Manning and Brady make guys that have the least amount of talent, become serviceable. Ok scratch Caldwell and insert Stokely.

[Bengals1181]

[quote name='Lewdog' timestamp='1349743191' post='1168134']
Well he's the #3 guy. Let us not forget certain QBs like Manning and Brady make guys that have the least amount of talent, become serviceable. Ok scratch Caldwell and insert Stokely.
[/quote]

yea go with Stokely.


Caldwell has[b] 0[/b] catches on the season.

[Lewdog]

[quote name='Bengals1181' timestamp='1349743834' post='1168138']
yea go with Stokely.


Caldwell has[b] 0[/b] catches on the season.
[/quote]

But he does have a rushing attempt for 14 yards!

[Squirrlnutz]

[quote name='Bengals1181' timestamp='1349743834' post='1168138']


yea go with Stokely.


Caldwell has[b] 0[/b] catches on the season.
[/quote]

Definitely saw him in street clothes on the sideline week 1.

[Bengals1181]

[quote name='Squirrlnutz' timestamp='1349744127' post='1168141']
Definitely saw him in street clothes on the sideline week 1.
[/quote]


yea he didn't even play in the first 3 games.

[Bengals1181]

its starting to look like Houston, Baltimore, and a bunch of average teams. Maybe San Diego will join them.



Houston 5-0 (play tonight)
Baltimore 5-1
San Diego 3-2 (play Monday night)
New York 3-3
New England 3-3
Miami 3-3
Cincinnati 3-3
Denver 2-3 (play Monday night)
Pittsburgh 2-3
Indianapolis 2-3

[Le Tigre]

A lot of 3-3's to deal with--and most in the AFCE. Fortunately, they get to beat the hell out of each other.

We are not at critical mass (yet), but we simply MUST beat the Stealers.

[Bengals1181]

as mongo mentioned in another thread, a crazy week in the NFL. Two of the consensus 3 best teams in the league (San Fran and Houston) both got CRUSHED at [b]home[/b]. The third, Atlanta, almost lost to a bad Oakland team at home.

[color=#333333][font=Arial, sans-serif][background=rgb(245, 245, 245)]
[url="https://twitter.com/Dan_Hoard"][b]Dan Hoard[/b] ‏[size=3][s]@[/s][b]Dan_Hoard[/b][/size][/url][/background][/font][/color][color=#333333][font=Arial, sans-serif][background=rgb(245, 245, 245)]
There are only 3 teams in AFC with fewer than 3 losses (falls to 2 if Chargers lose to Denver tonight) [b][url="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Bengals&src=hash"][s]#[/s][b]Bengals[/b][/url] remaining foes are 25-29[/b][/background][/font][/color]

[Oldcat]

Baltimore isn't as hot as their record - edging the Browns at home, winning 9-6 vs KC, and not impressing much against the Cowboys. Add in the injuries, and they could be vulnerable. The wins still count, though.

[Bengals1181]

[b] [font=arial, verdana, helvetica]Being a .500 team in the NFL can either be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on how you look at it.[/font][/b]



[b] GLASS HALF FULL[/b]


[color=#222221][font=arial, verdana, helvetica]
[b][url="http://www.nfl.com/teams/cincinnatibengals/profile?team=CIN"]Cincinnati Bengals[/url][/b]
[url="http://www.nfl.com/schedules/2012/REG/BENGALS"]The schedule is not easy[/url], but they're about to play three straight home games with a bye mixed in. The defense has been surprisingly suspect and must tighten things up, especially in the AFC North. [url="http://www.nfl.com/player/andydalton/2495143/profile"]Andy Dalton[/url] and [url="http://www.nfl.com/player/a.j.green/2495450/profile"]A.J. Green[/url] have something special, while tight end[url="http://www.nfl.com/player/jermainegresham/497238/profile"]Jermaine Gresham[/url] has shown up, although not consistently enough.[/font][/color][color=#222221][font=arial, verdana, helvetica]
[b]Prediction: [/b]Cincy might benefit from the rest of the AFC being so wishy-washy and get into the playoffs as a wild card. Nine wins could do it.[/font][/color]
[color=#222221][font=arial, verdana, helvetica]
[url="http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000081910/article/glass-half-empty-or-full-evaluations-for-all-11-nfl-teams-at-500"]http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000081910/article/glass-half-empty-or-full-evaluations-for-all-11-nfl-teams-at-500[/url][/font][/color]

[Bengals1181]

[b] Dungy says Bengals have North shot[/b]


[color=#393939][font=arial, sans-serif][size=3]
One topic that won't make the discussion on this Sunday's Football Night in America (7 p.m.-Cincinnati's Channel 5) from Paul Brown Stadium is, ho-hum, another NFL game where both teams are coached by African-Americans.[/size][/font][/color][color=#393939][font=arial, sans-serif][size=3]
Thankfully when the Bengals' Marvin Lewis and the Steelers' Mike Tomlin tee it up (8:20 p.m.-Cincinnati's Channel 5), it has become as common place as well, the kicking tee, and NBC's own Tony Dungy had everything to do with it.[/size][/font][/color][color=#393939][font=arial, sans-serif][size=3]
Dungy, part of the New York City studio crew from 30 Rockefeller Plaza, was the rock of the movement a generation ago as a brilliant young defensive assistant that couldn't be denied. Now after 13 seasons as a head coach with two teams, a Super Bowl trophy, and the third best winning percentage of all-time of anyone with at least his 139 victories, Dungy has a pretty good view.[/size][/font][/color][color=#393939][font=arial, sans-serif][size=3]
The first time Dungy coached at PBS in 2001, his sixth and last season with the Bucs, the only other African-American head coach in the NFL was Herman Edwards in his first season with the Jets. Now there are five and while there could easily be more, the guy with the least experience is the Vikings' Leslie Frazier in his third season on a list headed by Lewis' 10 seasons, the nine of the Bears' Lovie Smith, and the six of Tomlin.[/size][/font][/color][color=#393939][font=arial, sans-serif][size=3]
"No, we have no plans to talk about it and I think that shows you how far we’ve come," Dungy said. "We've come a long way. Believe me I realize how significant it is because I know how long it took to happen. They're both good, veteran coaches that have their teams with a chance to do something at this point in the season."[/size][/font][/color][color=#393939][font=arial, sans-serif][size=3]
Lewis said Thursday that he almost ended up joining Dungy's first staff in Tampa Bay when the Buccaneers made Dungy the head coach in 1996. Dungy, a former Steeler and Steelers coach, had Pittsburgh ties with Lewis but as things evolved, Lewis ended up becoming the Ravens defensive coordinator while Monte Kiffin went to work for Dungy.[/size][/font][/color][color=#393939][font=arial, sans-serif][size=3]
Lewis, a Pittsburgh-area native out of McDonald, Pa., said Dungy was always generous with his time when it came to watching NFL film and being available to talk the game. Now when Dungy talks Bengals Sunday night for the nation's biggest prime-time TV audience he sees a team with a shot to win the AFC North if it can tame its many inconsistencies.[/size][/font][/color][color=#393939][font=arial, sans-serif][size=3]
"They're right there with everyone else," Dungy said. "The first six weeks the Bengals have been up and down. But I think the division is coming back to them. I think the Steelers are aging on defense and so is Baltimore and they've got a chance to get past them.[/size][/font][/color][color=#393939][font=arial, sans-serif][size=3]
"They went over the curve for such a young team last year and now if they get on a hot streak, they can get on a roll. The Steelers are in the same kind of spot, as far as looking for consistency," he said. "I blame the practice regimen that comes out of the new CBA on the defensive inconsistencies. As a coach it’s hard for me to see how you can develop any kind of consistency with the new rules."[/size][/font][/color][color=#393939][font=arial, sans-serif][size=3]
Asked if Bengals quarterback [url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/andy-dalton/9378c4ed-938c-434c-929d-4d45fe252101/"]Andy Dalton[/url] is the real deal, Dungy says he is.[/size][/font][/color][color=#393939][font=arial, sans-serif][size=3]
"He's got composure," Dungy said. "It's the same thing I talked about with Peyton Manning. You've got to keep giving a talented quarterback weapons. They don't have a Marshall Faulk or an Edgerrin James, but they have a reliable running back. They've got a great receiver in [url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/aj-green/d1e7b054-2722-4a10-9dad-687267489bd5/"]A.J. Green[/url] and if they can develop some consistency with their other weapons, like (tight end Jermaine) Gresham, then they can be a high-powered offense.[/size][/font][/color][color=#393939][font=arial, sans-serif][size=3]
It’s the lack of consistency I see on defense," Dungy said. "They've got to get those big plays out of their system. They've got a lot of good players on that defense, but the one thing they're missing is that high draft pick that is an impact player. What they're missing is a Troy Polamalu or an Ed Reed, or a J.J. Watt. That high pick that comes in and puts you over the top on defense."[/size][/font][/color][color=#393939][font=arial, sans-serif][size=3]
Dungy says there is no shot he'll come back to coach. He wants to see his son finish out his career at Oregon, where Eric Dungy is a sophomore wide receiver.[/size][/font][/color][color=#393939][font=arial, sans-serif][size=3]
"Then I'll be 59," Dungy said, "and that's fine with me."[/size][/font][/color][color=#393939][font=arial, sans-serif][size=3]
He says he'd like to get to Cincinnati this season to do a piece on Lewis or Dalton, but there's no doubt he'll in northern Ohio at some point. His .668 regular-season winning percentage trails only George Halas at .682 and Don Shula at .677 for coaches with at least 139 victories, and along with the 2006 Super Bowl title and a legacy that lives into this Sunday night that should provide a one-way ticket to Canton.[/size][/font][/color]
[color=#393939][font=arial, sans-serif][size=3]
[url="http://www.bengals.com/news/article-1/Notes-Dungy-says-Bengals-have-North-shot-Cook-progressing-Leonard-Binns-out-Mochs-big-week/68ffe27d-a793-4c09-90e3-3fb76d3b8899"]http://www.bengals.com/news/article-1/Notes-Dungy-says-Bengals-have-North-shot-Cook-progressing-Leonard-Binns-out-Mochs-big-week/68ffe27d-a793-4c09-90e3-3fb76d3b8899[/url][/size][/font][/color]

[Bengals1181]

1. [url="http://www.nfl.com/teams/profile?team=HOU"]Houston Texans[/url] ACS 8 1 0
2. [url="http://www.nfl.com/teams/profile?team=BAL"]Baltimore Ravens[/url] ACN 7 2 0
3. [url="http://www.nfl.com/teams/profile?team=NE"]New England Patriots[/url] ACE 6 3 0
4. [url="http://www.nfl.com/teams/profile?team=DEN"]Denver Broncos[/url] ACW 6 3 0
5. [url="http://www.nfl.com/teams/profile?team=IND"]Indianapolis Colts[/url] ACS 6 3 0
6. [url="http://www.nfl.com/teams/profile?team=PIT"]Pittsburgh Steelers[/url] ACN 6 3 0
7. [url="http://www.nfl.com/teams/profile?team=SD"]San Diego Chargers[/url] ACW 4 5 0
8. [url="http://www.nfl.com/teams/profile?team=MIA"]Miami Dolphins[/url] ACE 4 5 0
9. [url="http://www.nfl.com/teams/profile?team=CIN"]Cincinnati Bengals[/url] ACN 4 5 0
10. [url="http://www.nfl.com/teams/profile?team=TEN"]Tennessee Titans[/url] ACS 4 6 0




[quote][color=#2C2C2C][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=4]Of the two current wild card teams – Pittsburgh and Indianapolis – and the three teams at 4-5 – Cincinnati, San Diego and Miami – the Bengals have the easiest remaining schedule, with their last seven opponents having a combined record of 27-36.[/size][/font][/color][/quote]

the next 5 opponents have a 15-29 record.

[url="http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20121112/SPT02/311120151/Bengals-coaches-find-lot-like-about-defense-s-showing?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Bengals"]http://news.cincinna...ws|text|Bengals[/url]

[JBandJoeyV]

[quote name='Bengals1181' timestamp='1352818845' post='1180469']
1. [url="http://www.nfl.com/teams/profile?team=HOU"]Houston Texans[/url] ACS 8 1 0
2. [url="http://www.nfl.com/teams/profile?team=BAL"]Baltimore Ravens[/url] ACN 7 2 0
3. [url="http://www.nfl.com/teams/profile?team=NE"]New England Patriots[/url] ACE 6 3 0
4. [url="http://www.nfl.com/teams/profile?team=DEN"]Denver Broncos[/url] ACW 6 3 0
5. [url="http://www.nfl.com/teams/profile?team=IND"]Indianapolis Colts[/url] ACS 6 3 0
6. [url="http://www.nfl.com/teams/profile?team=PIT"]Pittsburgh Steelers[/url] ACN 6 3 0
7. [url="http://www.nfl.com/teams/profile?team=SD"]San Diego Chargers[/url] ACW 4 5 0
8. [url="http://www.nfl.com/teams/profile?team=MIA"]Miami Dolphins[/url] ACE 4 5 0
9. [url="http://www.nfl.com/teams/profile?team=CIN"]Cincinnati Bengals[/url] ACN 4 5 0
10. [url="http://www.nfl.com/teams/profile?team=TEN"]Tennessee Titans[/url] ACS 4 6 0






the next 5 opponents have a 15-29 record.

[url="http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20121112/SPT02/311120151/Bengals-coaches-find-lot-like-about-defense-s-showing?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Bengals"]http://news.cincinna...ws|text|Bengals[/url]
[/quote]

Let's win the next 5 then!

[BigDawgBengal]

If Bengals win this week along with Buffalo, New England, Denver and Baltimore, it will really help the Bengals chances.

[Bengals1181]

[b]2) The sixth playoff spot in the AFC is completely up for grabs.[/b][color=#222221][font=arial, verdana, helvetica] And the [/font][/color][url="http://www.nfl.com/teams/cincinnatibengals/profile?team=CIN"]Bengals[/url][color=#222221][font=arial, verdana, helvetica], a team I was bullish on in preseason, could be primed to make a run. Speaking with folks there this week, there is a feeling that a corner was turned in the big win over the [/font][/color][url="http://www.nfl.com/teams/newyorkgiants/profile?team=NYG"]Giants[/url][color=#222221][font=arial, verdana, helvetica], which snapped a four-game losing streak, particularly in the way they protected the ball and played a good complementary game in critical situations on third down and in the red zone. But as offensive coordinator [/font][/color][url="http://www.nfl.com/player/jaygruden/2539437/profile"]Jay Gruden[/url][color=#222221][font=arial, verdana, helvetica] told me, "It doesn't do us any good to beat the [/font][/color][url="http://www.nfl.com/teams/newyorkgiants/profile?team=NYG"]Giants[/url][color=#222221][font=arial, verdana, helvetica] if we turn around and lose to the [/font][/color][url="http://www.nfl.com/teams/kansascitychiefs/profile?team=KC"]Chiefs[/url][color=#222221][font=arial, verdana, helvetica] and the [/font][/color][url="http://www.nfl.com/teams/oaklandraiders/profile?team=OAK"]Raiders[/url][color=#222221][font=arial, verdana, helvetica]." The implication isn't complicated. Cincinnati dropped very winnable games against Miami and Cleveland in October, and needs to win the ones it should (and the [/font][/color][url="http://www.nfl.com/teams/cincinnatibengals/profile?team=CIN"]Bengals[/url][color=#222221][font=arial, verdana, helvetica] should beat the [/font][/color][url="http://www.nfl.com/teams/kansascitychiefs/profile?team=KC"]Chiefs[/url][color=#222221][font=arial, verdana, helvetica],[/font][/color][url="http://www.nfl.com/teams/oaklandraiders/profile?team=OAK"]Raiders[/url][color=#222221][font=arial, verdana, helvetica] and [/font][/color][url="http://www.nfl.com/teams/sandiegochargers/profile?team=SD"]Chargers[/url][color=#222221][font=arial, verdana, helvetica]) in advance of playing Dallas, Philly, Pittsburgh and Baltimore the final four weeks of the season.[/font][/color]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000094539/article/midseason-coach-firings-are-last-resort-for-nfl-decisionmakers

[|BlackJesus|]

[b]I thought the Playoffs were out after the loss to the Broncos ... but if we can beat Kansas City and Oakland and get to 6-5 ... then I think they enter the picture again. I'll cautiously hold out hope. [/b]