Almost Everyone Alive In AFC Playoff Race

[Vudu]

Almost everyone remains alive in AFC race

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on November 16, 2010, 2:29 PM EST

I wrote last night that Philly’s win created some real separation between the haves and the have nots in the NFC.

Week Ten’s results created the opposite effect in the AFC. It was a good week for the middle of the pack for a few reasons.

1. Baltimore’s loss to Atlanta and the Pittsburgh-New England game left only two teams with 7-2 records.

2. Tennessee’s loss to Miami further bunched things up. For other contenders, the result was perfect. Miami won, but essentially lost because of their quarterback injuries.

3. Most importantly, the Chiefs’ loss to the Broncos made the AFC West a true three team race. Second place in the AFC West could get a wild card spot, even though it will be tough. The Chiefs and Raiders only trail the Ravens/Steelers by one game.

The NFC is going to have a lot of big games down the stretch, but the AFC remains the far more open and unpredictable conference. Only four teams have a nearly impossible path to the playoffs (Bills, Browns, Bengals, Broncos. Bad year for B’s.) We think the Texans are dead, but they have five games left to knock AFC contenders and prove us wrong.

We still have countless big division battles to look forward to (Titans-Colts twice, Ravens-Steelers, Patriots-Jets, and the AFC West round robin.) We also have heaps of division games between contenders (Raiders-Steelers, Colts-Patriots, Dolphins-Raiders, Titans- Chiefs, Steelers-Jets among them.)

Add it all up and it’s easy to envision a scenario where only one or possibly no teams get to 12 wins, yet it will almost surely take 10-11 wins to get a Wild Card spot.

Bert Bell would be so proud.

[Baldie]

[SenorGato]

That's pretty much all I have to say about this. The AFC being a 4 team race is a joke...7 games left...2 years ago we saw what 5 games could do to a team...the Chargers annual 2nd half run looms, and Rivers is getting to that point in his career where he separates himself from the pack.

[Blackout]

Rivers is mad over rated

[SenorGato]

Rivers is mad over rated

If by Rivers you mean Rodgers, sure.

[Jetsfan80]

That's pretty much all I have to say about this. The AFC being a 4 team race is a joke...7 games left...2 years ago we saw what 5 games could do to a team...the Chargers annual 2nd half run looms, and Rivers is getting to that point in his career where he separates himself from the pack.

I have to agree here. The Chargers are just 1 game out and their net pts (+42) suggest they're better than their record says. They're just a few weeks away from taking control of the AFC West and locking up a home playoff game.

That being said, I'll never believe San Diego is a Super Bowl threat until Norv Turner is gone. A monster 2nd half of the season looms, sure. But a 1st round playoff exit to a stronger wild card team like the Ravens or Jets/Patriots does as well, just like last year. And that will happen regardless of whether Vincent Jackson returns.

[#27TheDominator]

I have to agree here. The Chargers are just 1 game out and their net pts (+42) suggest they're better than their record says. They're just a few weeks away from taking control of the AFC West and locking up a home playoff game.

That being said, I'll never believe San Diego is a Super Bowl threat until Norv Turner is gone. A monster 2nd half of the season looms, sure. But a 1st round playoff exit to a stronger wild card team like the Ravens or Jets/Patriots does as well, just like last year. And that will happen regardless of whether Vincent Jackson returns.

**** Norv Turner. I am one of 6 left in a $2,500 survivor pool. The secret of my success this year as opposed to others? Don't pick the Chargers.