What’s up everyone? Since I’m almost finished with my college football blogs for the season, I decided to do a little more information for the NFL. I’ll post these updates every two weeks until the regular season is over. I’ll probably continue this post into the playoffs with a simple change up and include small previews for playoff matchups. Hope you all have a great day!
CHIEFS (9-4)
CURRENT PLACE: 3RD SEED
The Chiefs defense and special teams are something else this late in the season. They continue to wreak havoc on opposing teams and they’re looking very dangerous at the right time and Tyrann Mathieu made it clear. Patrick Mahomes looks smooth, for the most part, but the running game could play a big part in their playoff run. The team is on pace for the top two seeds with the Patriots.
REMAINING GAMES: AT CHARGERS, VS. STEELERS, AT BENGALS, AT BRONCOS
BILLS (7-6)
CURRENT PLACE: 7TH SEED
The Bills finally have a 100-yard rusher this season. Unfortunately, it was quarterback Josh Allen doing double duty against the Buccaneers number one rushing defense. Their playoff chances are dwindling a bit and I can’t stress enough about their lack of rushing offense. The struggling passing defense is also not helping their cause. Fortunately, their last three of four games are winnable.
REMAINING GAMES: VS. PANTHERS, AT PATRIOTS, VS. FALCONS, VS. JETS
STEELERS (6-6-1)
CURRENT PLACE: FOUR SPOTS FROM 7TH SEED
The Steelers’ offense continues to play inconsistent with a shaky offensive line and a suspect play by Ben Roethlisberger. It’s a dysfunctional group and it’s not a good thing to see from them once again. They barely escaped the Ravens, but lost to the Vikings trying to fight back on Thursday night. Ironically, they still have a chance for a playoff spot and division title after the Ravens and Bengals lost. Thank God for the seven-team playoff format and a 17-game season.
REMAINING GAMES: VS. TITANS, AT CHIEFS, VS. BROWNS, AT RAVENS
COLTS (7-6)
CURRENT PLACE: 6TH SEED
The Colts are on a bye but continue to move up in the playoff standings nonetheless. They prepare for the two toughest matchups back-to-back, the Patriots and Cardinals. The Colts are not an easy-out and their roster is well-balanced for this situation. If they somehow defeat them back-to-back, watch out for the Colts in the playoffs.
REMAINING GAMES: VS. PATRIOTS, AT CARDINALS, VS. RAIDERS, AT JAGUARS
BROWNS (7-6)
CURRENT PLACE: ONE SPOT FROM 7TH SEED
The Browns come off a bye to equalize the Ravens after losing a close one two weeks ago. Baker Mayfield is still injury-riddled but is doing the best he can to fight through it. Meanwhile, the Browns defense will be counted on to keep the team in the game the rest of the way. The rest of their schedule can go either way for Cleveland.
REMAINING GAMES: VS. RAIDERS, AT PACKERS, AT STEELERS, VS. BENGALS
RAVENS (8-5)
CURRENT PLACE: 4TH SEED
The Ravens lost back-to-back games against their AFC North rivals (Steelers and Browns). They may have suffered a huge loss after Lamar Jackson injured his knee. If he’s not able to go for the next game or so, the Ravens may struggle down the stretch with the opponents they have left. Backup Tyler Huntley and the running backs must carry them to the finish line.
REMAINING GAMES: VS. PACKERS, AT BENGALS, VS. RAMS, VS. STEELERS
RAIDERS (6-7)
CURRENT PLACE: FIVE SPOTS FROM 7TH SEED
I mentioned this before and during the season, and it’s probably coming full-circle. The Raiders must finish what they started this season, but they are struggling late once again. They lost five of the last six games, they lost seven of their last 10, and all of their losses came from not scoring 20 points or more. The last four look winnable but there’s less optimism from the Raiders unless someone lights a fire in them for the last stretch. One last thing, never meet on the opponent’s 50-yard logo if you’re on a losing skid.
REMAINING GAMES: AT BROWNS, VS. BRONCOS, AT COLTS, VS. CHARGERS
PACKERS (10-3)
CURRENT PLACE: 1ST SEED
The Packers took care of the Rams to set themselves apart for an overall seed and swept the Bears to ensure Aaron Rodgers’ real estate in Chicago and Soldier Field for life. They had a slow start against Chicago before their late first half surge. The Packers now have a chance to win the division with the Ravens and Browns quarterback position banged up. They must equalize the Vikings to ensure the NFC North belongs to them. The only issue now is Rodgers’ toe becoming more of a problem than before. If surgery becomes the next option and the Packers don’t claim the number one seed, their playoff run becomes more difficult.
REMAINING GAMES: AT RAVENS, VS. BROWNS, VS. VIKINGS, AT LIONS
RAMS (9-4)
CURRENT PLACE: 5TH SEED
Easy win against the Jaguars and an important win at Arizona was all the Rams needed to boost their morale again. Even without a couple of their key players last night, they found a way to control the Cardinals early and hold the line. If their defense plays like that the rest of the way and Cooper Kupp stays healthy for four more games just for Stafford, they’ll have a chance for a division title and more.
REMAINING GAMES: VS. SEAHAWKS, AT VIKINGS, AT RAVENS, VS. 49ERS
BUCCANEERS (10-3)
CURRENT PLACE: 2ND SEED
After losing two games scoring less than 30 points, the Bucs showed no mercy by scoring 30 in their last four wins, including their walk-off game-winning touchdown pass against the Bills. The Buccaneers are closing in on the division title outright, but the Saints delayed the inevitable. Guess who they face next? The New Orleans Saints. The team they lost to a few weeks ago and Tom Brady’s regular season kryptonite (0-3 in the regular season since joining Tampa).
REMAINING GAMES: VS. SAINTS, AT PANTHERS, AT JETS, VS. PANTHERS
GIANTS (4-9)
CURRENT PLACE: SEVEN SPOTS FROM 7TH SEED
The Giants are out of the division title race after their loss while the Cowboys won against Washington. Even if they defeat the Cowboys, Eagles, and Washington, they need a miracle to make the playoffs as a nine-loss team. They are not out of it with a dysfunctional NFC standings. But lets face it, they have little to no chance of a playoff berth since they still failed to score 30 points this season.
REMAINING GAMES: VS. COWBOYS, AT EAGLES, AT BEARS, VS. WASHINGTON
SEAHAWKS (5-8)
CURRENT PLACE: SIX SPOTS FROM 7TH SEED
Well look at that. Russell Wilson is finally cooking again and the team looks like themselves again since December arrived. The run game is starting to build up at the right time and they need it for a deep run in the last four weeks. Their first biggest test starts in Los Angeles next week and that will determine if the Seahawks are truly competitive again.
REMAINING GAMES: AT RAMS, VS. BEARS, VS. LIONS, AT CARDINALS
49ERS (7-6)
CURRENT PLACE: 6TH SEED
The 49ers had some sketchy situations go against them. Last week, they lost to the Seahawks over special team miscues along with Seattle just figuring them out. Then Sunday, the penalties and injuries hurt the Niners early despite leading by two scores, allowing two fourth quarter touchdowns to tie the game, and nearly losing the game if it wasn’t for George Kittle’s big game and Brandon Aiyuk contributing to that effort. The 49ers are a playoff football team and will do whatever it takes to win despite the miscues and injuries. But, the miscues and injuries are what can cost them too!
REMAINING GAMES: VS. FALCONS, AT TITANS, VS. TEXANS, AT RAMS
VIKINGS (6-7)
CURRENT PLACE: ONE SPOT FROM 7TH SEED
If it wasn’t difficult enough figure out the Vikings, then it’s best to ask Nostradamus how the Vikings’ regular season will end. 12 of their 13 games now were decided by one score. They were also victims of the Lions’ first win of the season. They bypassed kicker Greg Joseph’s big game for three failed two-point conversions that ultimately cost them. Relying on stats to decide their two-point conversion choice instead of doing basic math for extra points was simpler to them. Then, when nearly everyone (except me and maybe some Vikings fans) thought the Vikings would run away with a win, the Steelers go on a second half surge and lost by only eight. Good luck trying to figure out how their last four games will end lol
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