This week on the Redzone Channel, they were displaying each team's chances of making the playoffs. So, inspired by that move, I think I am going to tell you each teams' odds to make the playoffs based on what I think. None of these percentages are statistically based though. They are solely based off of my feelings. Some teams were easy to pick a percentage. Others were not because their division are up in the air *cough* NFC East *cough*. I'll give you a little preview here: The Raiders have a 0% chance of making the playoffs.
32. Raiders. As said one second ago, the Raiders have a 0% chance of making the playoffs. Derek Carr looked demoralized this week in the 4th quarter. In the first half of their game against the Chargers, they were doing a good job of keeping the Chargers' offense off the field. I said that to everyone watching the game with me, and immediately afterwards the Raiders fumbled the ball, lost possession, and the Chargers marched down and scored. Classic Raiders.
Chances of making the Playoffs: -5000%
31. Jets. They were embarrassed by 31 points to a team on their 4th string QB and whose starting QB was equivalent to a 3rd string QB. If the Raiders weren't in the league, then the Jets would now be last.
Chances of making the playoffs: 0%
30. 49ers. In what was a pretty competitive and surprisingly fun Monday Night Football game, the 49ers proved my point, that even on their 3rd string QB, Shanahan still does a good job of preparing them week to week to be competitive against anyone they play.
Chances of making the Playoffs: 0%
29. Giants. Here it comes. The Giants are about to go on a 5 game winning streak, end 6-10 and not land a top 10 pick like they need to. As good as it was for Giants' players to win yesterday, it was equally as bad for Giants' fans who are rooting for a high pick and an end to the Eli Manning era.
Chances of making the Playoffs: -53%
28. Bills. What a game from the Bills right? Never underestimate a revenge game as Matt Barkley played the game of his life and took back his throne for both: Best USC QB in the NFL and Best Jets' QB of the Past 5 Years! Josh McCown not playing well didn't' help the Jets either.
Chances of making the Playoffs: -1%
27. Arizona Cardinals. Their offensive line is just too bad to allow Josh Rosen even a chance to be competitive and function as a starter. That being said, they did a really good job of not folding when they could have folded multiple times against the Chiefs on Sunday.
Chances of making the Playoffs: -8%
26. Dolphins. They stuck around in the first half against the Packers, but you just knew that they were destined to lose this game by double digits because you don't have a chance against an angry Aaron Rodgers at home.
Chances of making the Playoffs: 2%
25. Buccaneers. Fitzmagic is dead, long live Jameis-... Nevermind. Neither of these guys are that good. The age of Pirates is over and the Bucs, after being a pleasant early season surprise remind is why so many were so low on them to start the year.
Chances of making the Playoffs: 0%
24. Broncos. Off this week.
Chances of making the Playoffs: 0%. They're in a division with the Chargers and Chiefs. They have no shot.
23. Jaguars. This team keeps getting worse and worse each week. They couldn't even sack Andrew Luck once (which may say more about the Offensive Line Play of the Colts). The Texans keep winning and the Colts are playing better and better each week. The Titans beat one of the best teams in football handily this weekend. The Jaguars need to win against the Steelers next week or else their season is over for them.
Chances of making the Playoffs: 11%
22. Lions. Remember when the Lions beat the Patriots in Week 3? Yeah me neither. That was a lifetime ago for Lions fans. The Lions made a good run at the Bears in the second half, but surrendering 26 points to Mitch Trubisky in the first half created too big of a deficit for them to mount a comeback.
Chances of making the Playoffs: 7%
21. Browns. This was the best win the Browns had all year as they convincingly beat the Falcons at home. This is the type of performance I was expecting of the Browns last week after firing Hue Jackson, but I guess two weeks after is just as good. Baker Mayfield made some incredible throws on the run this weekend and he had the best game of his career. The Browns had some positive takeaways from this weekend!
Chances of making the Playoffs: 2%
20. Cowboys. Are the Cowboys good? Are they bad? This is why football is amazing, yet crazy and unpredictable at the same time. They played aggressive against the Eagles this week and they even got Zeke going early! If they keep doing this then maybe they can win the NFC East which is still wide open. That being said, they could easily lose next week and have their chances drop severely. They certainly can make the playoffs, but they need to play like this did this week every week, and they need the Redskins to lose some more games.
Chances of making the Playoffs: 20%
19. Falcons. I still don't want to give up on them yet because they are so talented, but they are really running out of time now. They had a favorable two weeks in their schedule (this week against the Browns and next week against the Cowboys), but if they can't win against Dallas (who looks good now?) then their season is done like most other teams above them on this list.
Chances of making the Playoffs: 18%
18. Seahawks. I feel back making teams drop when they have to play the Rams. Frankly, the Seahawks had a pretty good game offensively yesterday. Rashaad Penny looked healthy and had his best game running the ball. In fact, they ran the ball successfully all around. They ran for 273 yards and their offensive line should be given a lot of credit for that. It is just a shame that they play in the same division as the Rams. Although now that they no longer have to play them the rest of the year, they can work on improving their record again knowing that their toughest part of the schedule is now past them.
Chances of making the Playoffs: 50%
17. Eagles. That was a really bad loss at home to the Cowboys. I am not going to sugar coat it at all. I expected a slow start, but this start is too slow now. Like the Cowboys, they should be tankful that they are in the NFC East that is still so wide open. However, the Redskins could capture this division in the next few weeks if the Eagles lose too many more games.
Chances of making the Playoffs: 35%
16. Colts. It has been 4 weeks since the Colts' offensive line has given up a sack and it is not a coincidence that they have played incredibly well within that span of time. The Colts go as Andre Luck goes, and his health is the reason they can succeed. I still do not think they have what it takes to make the playoffs this year, but they still are a respectable team that has a better chance than the Jaguars do at this point.
Chances of making the Playoffs: 53%.
15. Titans. The Titans had the perfect formula to beat the Patriots this week. They: played at home, had a mobile quarterback (who played really well), used both of their runningbacks really well out of the backfield, and pressured Tom Brady is to making rushed, bad throws. A perfect game from them and a perfect win. As it stands now, they are currently a playoff team, and they played like it today.
Chances of making the Playoffs: 69%
14. Bengals. Man that was a bad home loss. I knew the Bengals were okay to mediocre, but I didn't think they would get pummeled by the Saints the way they did. However, I am going to give the Saints more credit for that win, than give the Bengals credit for that loss. The Saints are a machine and their offense is nearly unstoppable. The Bengals were helpless this week. That being said, they can still make the playoffs because they just need have a good enough record to finish second to the Steelers and win a Wild Card spot which they still can do.
Chances of making the Playoffs: 70%
13. Ravens. Off this week.
Chances of making the Playoffs: 50%. Their season is going to go one of two directions. that's why their odds are 50/50.
12. Packers. Green Bay wasn't losing this game at home. They struggled to get any separation in the first half, but they put together a good run in the second half and cruised to a victory over the Dolphins. I still think the Bears are better than the Packers still at this point. In fact, the Vikings are even better than them. The Packers need a lot of help to make the Playoffs at this point.
Chances of making the Playoffs: 33%
11. Redskins. I don't know how the Redskins are good or even have this good of a record. I guess it's because Adrian Peterson is playing well and their defense is good? I was convinced after their injuries last week, this week would bring them crumbling down. I guess not though. The Redskins will just never be a team I can get the pulse of I guess. Did I mention I guess?
Chances of making the Playoffs: 75%
10. Bears. This game against the Lions is a game the Bears lose two years ago, or even last year. Instead, they took care of business early and stormed out to a 26-0 lead in the first half. The second half was a little nerve racking for Bears' fans, but a strong performance nonetheless from Chicago.
Chances of making the Playoffs: 81%
9. Vikings. They were off this week, but a nice little race for the NFC North crown is emerging here midway through the year.
Chances of making the Playoffs: 77%
8. Texans. They were off too, but are still the clear Number 1 in the AFC South.
Chances of making the Playoffs: 82%
7. Patriots. This was an ugly loss that I would immediately attempt to put behind me if I was the Pats. They'll end up being okay, but this loss once again exposed some glaring holes they have, especially at the linebacker and secondary position. Their pass protection also broke down a lot this week and caused Tom Brady to make some really bad throws. They didn't really move the ball around enough to each of their offensive weapons and it looked stagnant as a result. Despite that bad loss they are still in the driver's seat in the AFC East.
Chances of making the Playoffs: 100%
6. Panthers. They played Pittsburgh at the worst possible time. Thursday night in Pittsburgh against a Steelers team that has been playing well for almost 5 weeks straight now. I won't put this loss on the Panthers too much and as a result I will not drop them. Yes it was a blowout, but I don't think we can learn anything from a Thursday Night game because they usually end in so many blowouts, no matter who is playing.
Chances of making the Playoffs: 91%
5. Chargers. Their defense is really good and their offense may be just as good. This week against the Raiders it wasn't clicking as they started off slow and Phil Rivers played below his level of expectation. Their defense is what separates them from last year though. They are going to miss Denzel Perryman who was lost for the season last weekend, but they get Joey Bosa back any week now.
Chances of making the Playoffs: 88%
4. Steelers. As I mentioned with the Panthers, there isn't much to learn from this week on a Thursday night, but the Steelers have now played well for 5 weeks straight. Not coincidentally, they have a 5 game win streak as well. I am still not ready to declare that they are the best team in the AFC, but if I had to pick a second, I'd choose them over the Pats as of now.
Chances of making the Playoffs: 99%
3. Chiefs. Patrick Mahomes is still good and their defense was especially good this week. However, I will say this: the Chiefs lost the coin toss today for the first time this year and Patrick Mahomes didn't pass for 300 yards. Are they falling apart? Are they going to start falling off like all Andy Reid teams do? Or will they be just fine? Tune in to find out.
Chances of making the Playoffs: 100%
2. Rams. The Rams' defense is the ultimate version of bend but don't break. They gave up over 200 yards rushing and almost allowed the Seahawks to win the game. But when it mattered most, Dante Fowler stripped Russell Wilson and won them the game. Their talent can overcome even days when they are not playing well as a unit.
Chances of making the Playoffs: 105%
1. Saints. I said it before. The Saints are a machine and as a result, they are Number 1. The clear Number 1 in fact.
Chances of making the Playoffs: 110%
Comments