S59 - Week 15 Playoff Picture

by adelfish | 5 years ago | 0 Comments

RZ Season 59 Playoff Picture - Week 15

Welcome to #PlayoffSZN Red Zone - we are a couple weeks away from the big dance, which should begin this weekend! Can Cave and his 49ers make another run? Will Astin or Smokes represent the AFC again? Will we finally see Jake capture a championship? There are abundant storylines, let's take a look where we stand as of today.

AFC Wild Card Weekend

The 1 seeded Jacksonville Jaguars and the 2 seeded Los Angeles Chargers await the winners of Wild Card Weekend. The New York Jets are also in the hunt, currently at 8-6 and have a massive game against the 5th seeded Tennesee Titans in Week 17. Winner of that game essentially punches a ticket, barring other circumstances. Outside of that potential scenario, Miami and Baltimore seem to be on track to lock in their divisions. Out of these four teams, I see the only challenger to Jacksonville and Los Angeles being the Titans, as the front seven is fierce, and the pedigree of beating those teams before is there. I still expect the AFC title game to be LA vs JAX.

NFC Wild Card Weekend

Two NFC East teams are currently bound for the postseason, with a Week 17 game between them which will ultimately decide the division. The first seed Detroit Lions and second seed San Francisco 49ers await winners from these matchups, as the Lions did not fall apart like they did in Season 58. The Saints seem to be limping along into the playoffs, struggling immensely the last few months, and even travel to the Carolina Panthers Week 16 in a NFC South Title Game. Winner of that game will likely host a playoff game. Other team to watch? The Seattle Seahawks are tied with Arizona at 9-5, both teams face each other in Week 16 in essentially a loser-leaves-town match. Overall, expect the 49ers to make another run, unless they meet the Washington Redskins, a team I think can give them a true test.

NEW CBA FORMAT

Just for fun, since this will be in effect next cycle - here are what the matchups would have looked like under next year's CBA of seven playoff teams from each conference. Remember, the 2nd seed no longer receives a bye, meaning only Jacksonville and Detroit get a week off.

AFC Wild Card Weekend - 7 Seeds

The addition of the Jets vs Chargers likely isn't a matchup fans would look forward to. With the Chargers rolling per usual, and the Jets as inconsistent as they are, this could lead to an expected blowout.

NFC Wild Card Weekend - 7 Seeds

How fun would that 2v7 game be? Two rivals (albeit, onesided) could make for a terrific game. Sure, San Francsico would be favored and likely pull the victory out, but it is tough to find a 2v7 matchup that would be more compelling.

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Good luck to ALL remaining teams. Stay safe in these crazy times gentlemen.