Playoff Picture

As it stands in the NFL, this is the Playoff picture. Meaning if the Playoffs started next week this is what we'd be looking at. With only 5 games left in the season, I think if everyone were honest only the Pats and Seahawks would be consistently everyone pic where they are at the beginning of the season. Who'd have thought the Broncos the Super Bowl champs would be on the outside looking in, as well as the Panthers who only lost one regular season game to be doing so poorly. Talking about poor performances, many thought this could be a year for the Steelers and rival Bengals to make a deep run as well. Neither would make it to extended play if the season ended now.

Individual teams are trending in the right direction at the right time. Of course, the Cowboys have been impressive with their 10 straight wins against very tough opponents, but the road isn't getting any easier. They must continue to prove themselves these next 5 games with opponents over the .500 mark on the schedule. Seahawks are a very teeter totter team. One week they are running on all cylinders, and it looks like no one can beat them (case in point against the Patriots), then they turn around and score 5 points against the Bucs. Not talking bad about Tampa Bay, only referencing this Seattle team many say is the best in the NFC, and if they are on, I'll agree. You just don't know who's suiting up that week. Both of those teams would get a first round bye and needed for the Seahawks. 

Now the Lions are trending in a positive way, impressing everyone with their grit and their winning ways. It's difficult to believe you lose the best WR in the country and you're a better team, but Matthew Stafford has shown he's an actual smart QB and not just a gunslinger. If they were to play the Redskins, I like them in this battle. Kurt Cousins is playing good football, and the Redskins are hungry, but I love how the Lions are just out there every down battling. As far as the Falcons and Giants, the Giants are another team who is trending at the right time. They didn't look impressive against the Browns, however, with OBJ (Odell Beckham Jr.) injured he still put up incredible numbers. Not to mention they are on a 6 game win streak. I like the Giants right now over the Falcons. Which would give us a Dallas vs. New York and Seattle vs. Detroit matchups? With the Cowboys-Giants game taking place in December and not knowing the outcome of that game yet I do give it to the Cowboys. I think they are the hottest team in the NFL right now. Also, I think Seattle shows up against Detroit and wins big just to head to Dallas and come up short, sending the Cowboys to the Super Bowl.

On the AFC side, New England is suffering the effects of the Madden curse with Gronk's injury. If he can't get 100%, they could be in some serious trouble. Along with Oakland having Derrick Carr break his pinky finger of his throwing hand. Could that be an injury that will throw him off and the team off their chemistry? A bye week for both clubs will do them extreme justice. However, as stated before, there are 5 more weeks of football. The Ravens against the Dolphins, I like how the Dolphins have been winning, and no one is talking about them. The Ravens an up and down group as well. I'd give it to the Ravens on this one due to experience, but I wouldn't be shocked if I turned up wrong and Miami advanced. Then the Texans and the Chiefs, I said a few weeks back the Chiefs were my dark horse and could very well find themselves in the Super Bowl. I don't think they have any struggles getting past the Texans. Leaving the Chiefs to play against the New England Patriots. If Gronk is healthy, I say Pats win a close game, however, if not the Chiefs could pull off a huge upset here. With that being said, I'm not willing to bet against Brady just yet. We'll see how the rest of the year plays out. Then on the other game, I'd say Oakland beats the Ravens and on their way to Foxborough where the Pats head to the Super Bowl once again, and most likely winning their 5th Super Bowl against the Cowboys. That is if everyone is healthy.

As the season plays out the closer, we get my picks may change but as it stands right now this is how I see it. 

Standing:

Kevin- 59

Nate- 53

Jordan- 52

Johnse -31

Samantha- 7

My Predictions-

Cowboys over Vikings

Chiefs over Falcons

Lions over Saints

Patriots over Rams (H)

Denver over Jags

Packers over Texans

Philly over Bengals

Dolphins over Ravens

San Fran over Chicago

Raiders over Bills

Pitt over NYG

Washington over Cards

Bucs over Chargers

Seahawks over Carolina

Jets over Indy