Starting with NFC
It still looks like we'll end up with the #2 seed unless New Orleans wins out and we drop two games (we win tie-breakers) -- I see that as unlikely. So, the top 4 seeds go
1 - GB
2 - SF
3 - NO
4 - DAL
*5 - CHI
*6 - ATL
For the wild card slots, it's pretty much locked up. It looks like Detroit is done, with remaining ROAD games against New Orleans, Green Bay, and Oakland...and home games against MIN and San Diego...they will be lucky to finish 8-8. The Giants have murderers' row coming up (GB, @DAL, WAS, @NYJ, DAL) and they're already at 5 losses. So that leaves Chicago and Atlanta to take the two wild card slots -- if they end up with same record Chicago will get the #5 seed. I'll give Chicago the edge here and I expect Cutler to start the wild card game.
NFC Wild Card Round
ATL@NO - A third game between the two in 2011 - this is a pick 'em. Saints in a coin-flip.
CHI@DAL - With Cutler back, Chicago wins
NFC Divisional
CHI@GB - Will be close, but I'll give the edge to Green Bay
NO@SF - Saints aren't the same team on wet grass, and they're not that good against the run and terrible in short yardage run defense (and in open field tackling). Expect a good day from Frank the Tank. Niners win
NFC Championship - SF@GB: Will not discuss this matchup at this time.
AFC Playoff Picture - much murkier
1. NE
2. BAL
3. HOU
4. OAK
*5 PIT
*6 CIN
NE Doesn't play anybody going forward, so they'll end up with the #1 seed. Baltimore plays a fairly soft remaining schedule too, so as long as they win the division they'll get the #2 seed. Houston is going to belly-flop into the playoffs at 11-5 with losses against either ATL, CIN, or TEN. I expect the Raiders to lose two more games against GB and someone else -- Denver will not catch them unless the Raiders collapse or Denver wins 4 out of 5 (they still have to play CHI and NE). PIT is no surprise as the #5 seed, and I expect Cincy to edge out the Jets, JUST BARELY, to make the playoffs. The Jets have to win out to make the playoffs because Cincy wins tie-breakers...one of Cincy's losses came out of conference against the 49ers.
AFC Wild Card Round
CIN@HOU - without a decent quarterback, Houston loses in the first round to the Bengals
PIT@OAK - Sorry raiders fans, I don't see how you beat the Steelers in January.
AFC Divisional
CIN@NE - Patriots should make quick work of them -- probably a blow-out.
PIT@BAL - Another great game, but I don't think the Ravens can beat the Steelers for a third time in the same season...very hard to do. Steelers win
AFC Championship game - PIT@NE. Steelers won this one earlier in the year, and I expect similar results.
Super Bowl. PIT or NE vs SF or GB. Most likely outcome is a Super Bowl XLV rematch.
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Playoff Projections at this point
Dec 2, 2011 at 7:15 AM
- nickbradley
- Member
- Posts: 3,755
Dec 2, 2011 at 7:38 AM
- enker1700
- Veteran
- Posts: 17
I dunno man, for the most part I would agree, but I want to touch on a few things: 1. Cutler is out for the season, most likely because he probably has to have surgery so I don't see them winning a playoff game and that's is they even make the playoffs.... 2. Don't count the Giants out just yet; yes they have a brutal schedule remaining including GB this week, but they can STILL afford to lose game because if the win 4 our of 5 and sweep Dallas (which is very possible considering who Dallas' QB is) and win the division by virtue of the tie breaker (they also have WAS who is terrible and the Jets who are very mediocre)......and 3. as we saw on Thanksgiving, SF defense can be packed up and taken anywhere and still be an absolute beast.....don't count this 49er team out against GB, especially if Braylon Edwards can get more invovled in the offense and really open things up....we could potentially beat GB 27-24 because our defense is that good.....
Dec 2, 2011 at 8:09 AM
- nickbradley
- Member
- Posts: 3,755
Originally posted by enker1700:
I dunno man, for the most part I would agree, but I want to touch on a few things: 1. Cutler is out for the season, most likely because he probably has to have surgery so I don't see them winning a playoff game and that's is they even make the playoffs.... 2. Don't count the Giants out just yet; yes they have a brutal schedule remaining including GB this week, but they can STILL afford to lose game because if the win 4 our of 5 and sweep Dallas (which is very possible considering who Dallas' QB is) and win the division by virtue of the tie breaker (they also have WAS who is terrible and the Jets who are very mediocre)......and 3. as we saw on Thanksgiving, SF defense can be packed up and taken anywhere and still be an absolute beast.....don't count this 49er team out against GB, especially if Braylon Edwards can get more invovled in the offense and really open things up....we could potentially beat GB 27-24 because our defense is that good.....
1. I expect Jay to be back, and Hanie will be better by playoff time if Jay's not back, maybe even impoved enough to beat the Cowboys
2. I'm going to go ahead and count the Giants out.
3. I deliberately avoided discussing a potential SF@GB game. I think we can hold our own.
Dec 2, 2011 at 8:36 AM
- enker1700
- Veteran
- Posts: 17
Originally posted by nickbradley:
Originally posted by enker1700:
I dunno man, for the most part I would agree, but I want to touch on a few things: 1. Cutler is out for the season, most likely because he probably has to have surgery so I don't see them winning a playoff game and that's is they even make the playoffs.... 2. Don't count the Giants out just yet; yes they have a brutal schedule remaining including GB this week, but they can STILL afford to lose game because if the win 4 our of 5 and sweep Dallas (which is very possible considering who Dallas' QB is) and win the division by virtue of the tie breaker (they also have WAS who is terrible and the Jets who are very mediocre)......and 3. as we saw on Thanksgiving, SF defense can be packed up and taken anywhere and still be an absolute beast.....don't count this 49er team out against GB, especially if Braylon Edwards can get more invovled in the offense and really open things up....we could potentially beat GB 27-24 because our defense is that good.....
1. I expect Jay to be back, and Hanie will be better by playoff time if Jay's not back, maybe even impoved enough to beat the Cowboys
2. I'm going to go ahead and count the Giants out.
3. I deliberately avoided discussing a potential SF@GB game. I think we can hold our own.
It was on the sportscenter ticker last night that Jay Cutler is MOST LIKELY out for the season because of potential surgery.....
Dec 2, 2011 at 8:46 AM
- nickbradley
- Member
- Posts: 3,755
Originally posted by enker1700:
It was on the sportscenter ticker last night that Jay Cutler is MOST LIKELY out for the season because of potential surgery.....
sorry I missed the always-reliable sportscenter ticker. I'll wait for a credible source -- NFLN is sticking by the story that the thumb injury could keep him out for up to 10 weeks, max, which would eliminate him playing in the playoffs. That's worse-case. The dolts at ESPN assume worst-case is 'most likely' i guess.
Dec 2, 2011 at 8:59 AM
- SFL49ER
- Veteran
- Posts: 4,952
You disagreeing with the Ticker?
Dec 2, 2011 at 10:15 AM
- mcbaes72
- Veteran
- Posts: 9,679
Agrees with nearly all your predictions. Only thing is Cutler like was mentioned, I think with their QB situation up in the air since Cutler may/may not return, DAL will win, then lose to GB. All of your other projections are logical and I could see happening, too.