WE have reached winning time. There are just three games left to determine which 12 teams will make a run at the Lombardi trophy when February 4th arrives. Mathematically, there may still be a lot of teams still in the mix for the playoffs, but which teams are timing their run and who is trending in the wrong direction?
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Baltimore Ravens
THE three teams that Baltimore has to face to close out the season have a combined eight wins. Therefore, anything less than 10-6 is probably a failure in my eyes, especially since two of those games come at home. While I won’t be throwing heavy money on the Ravens to make a deep run into the playoffs one of the AFC wildcard spots has their name on it barring an epic collapse.
Carolina Panthers
THE topsy-turvy NFC South continues to excite. With New Orleans (9-4) and Atlanta (8-5) in the running to make the cut, Carolina put forth their best performance of the season against a Vikings team that has the potential to win it all. One of the more challenging runs home means that the Panthers can’t afford any more slip-ups and if they put up more performances like they did against Minnesota, a division crown is well within striking distance.
Image from profootballfocus.com
Green Bay Packers
HE returns. Flashes of last season are coming back thick and fast as the run-the-table motto seems to be the most popular phrase in the NFL right now. With Aaron Rodgers under center anything is possible in Green Bay and I can guarantee that every NFC team fighting for a wildcard spot is now sweating bullets.
Los Angeles Chargers
NO one wants to play LA right now. Winners of four straight a top-four seed is well and truly up for grabs as Philip Rivers continues to guide the Chargers to the playoffs. If they can knock off Kansas City on the weekend then a date with the Jets and Raiders is all that stands between them and a home playoff game.
STOCK DOWN
Tennessee Titans
DEAR oh dear. I have no idea what to make of the Titans. Are they bad? Underachieving? Overrated? Flat out useless? It could be any of the above. I was ready for the-Marcus-Marriota-show to take over headlines this season and instead, he has a QBR below Brett Hundley and Jay Cutler throwing the second most interceptions (14) in the league. There is a real possibility that Tennessee will close the season by losing four in a row and missing the playoffs entirely. What a bummer.
New Orleans Saints
A few weeks ago everyone was blowing smoke up the ass of NOLA and their newest favourite player Alvin Kamara. After losing two out of their last three and with the Panthers and Falcons breathing down their neck though I think the Saints are starting to sweat. Luckily for them, they own a tiebreaker over the Panthers, but unluckily for them, I think that they are the third best team in their division and they still have to play Atlanta again. What you got Brees, prove me wrong.
Image from canalstreetchronicles.com
Kansas City Chiefs
YUK. The darlings of the first third of the season have been trash since their first loss and while some excuse them and think they are better than their record suggests I want absolutely no part of that discussion. However, I think they are still better than two of their final three opponents and should finish at 8-8. That’s not going to get it done in 2017 though.
Seattle Seahawks
LAST week’s loss to Jacksonville hurt Seattle’s chances immensely. The loss of Richard Sherman was highlighted by (I can’t believe I’m saying this) Blake Bortles last week when he was able to complete big chunk plays including a 75-yard touchdown for Keelan Cole. Without a dominant defense or at least one competent running back, no matter how good Russell Wilson is, the Seahawks will be forced to watch the postseason from their lounge room.
Image from newsok.com
Wildcard Predictions
AFC
5th – Baltimore Ravens (10-6)
6th – Tennessee Titans (9-7)
NFC
5th – New Orleans Saints (11-5)
6th – Carolina Panthers (11-5)
Peace ✌️