Sharpshooter's 2017 Playoff Projections
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oSFYxDGKy8
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Yes, we know. There are still seven weeks left in the regular season until playoffs begin. However, after ten weeks of the NFL season, we have a good look at how the 2017 playoff schedule will develop this year. Some teams have stayed dominant like the Eagles and Steelers while others have risen from the bottom like the Rams and Saints. While these 7-2 teams have shown they are apart of the top tier, have they reached their peak? Additionally, have some teams peaked already and will miss the playoffs?
As of now, these are the current playoff standings for each division including the wild card.
American Football Conference
AFC East
New England Patriots 7-2
AFC North
Pittsburgh Steelers 7-2
AFC South
Tennessee Titans 6-3
AFC West
Kansas City Chiefs 6-3
National Football Conference
NFC East
Philadelphia Eagles 8-1
NFC North
Minnesota Vikings 7-2
NFC South
New Orleans Saints 7-2
NFC West
Los Angeles Rams 7-2
Not so Far Behind...
Jacksonville Jaguars 6-3
Buffalo Bills 5-4
Carolina Panthers 7-3
Seattle Seahawks 6-3
Atlanta Falcons 5-4
Dallas Cowboys 5-4
Detroit Lions 5-4
New England Patriots
The Patriots have won the past 5 games, but are not considered very much in the hot zone right now. However, securing these wins is key as they face tough matchups throughout the rest of their season including the Buffalo Bills twice and the Steelers. Regardless of these tough teams, they also play the struggling Dolphins twice and the New York Jets too, all three of which are easily winnable games. Like past years, the Patriots are a very likely contender to make the playoffs and are also the favorite for the number one seed in the AFC.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Like the Patriots, the Steelers have continuously made the playoffs over the past few years. For the last 7 games of the Steelers season, they face 5 teams that are outside of the top 15 for Sharpshooter Power Rankings. It is highly likely that the Steelers make the playoffs. However, they have been known to blow games that they should win by a landslide. If the Steelers have any of these games in the future, it will be tough to compete for the number one seed for the playoff bye.
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a very uneasy team. The Titans beat the Seattle Seahawks and Jacksonville Jaguars, both of which are ranked 8 and 9 for Sharpshooter Power Rankings. Not only did the Titans defeat these teams, but scored over 30 points against arguably the best defenses in the league as of now. However, the Titans also barely squeezed out a win against the Browns, winning by a field goal in the last few seconds. With all of this being said, Sharpshooter predicts that the Titans will not win their division and will have to fight for a wild-card spot. The Titans play the Steelers, Rams, and Jaguars in their last part of the season. The Titans have won against tough teams before, but will not be able to withstand all powerhouse teams that are likewise very hungry for the playoffs.
Kansas City Chiefs
Chiefs fans got very worried as they watched their powerhouse 5-0 team significantly drop to 6-3 in their past 4 games. However, the Chiefs have their toughest obstacles behind them. The toughest matchup the Chiefs face is against the Bills, a team that is very inconsistent and is very vulnerable with new quarterback Nathan Peterman who has 10 passing attempts under his belt. The Chiefs can calm their nerves as they have an easy schedule and no other divisional competition.
Philadelphia Eagles
Like the Chiefs, the Philadelphia Eagles are apart of a very weak division. The Giants are 1-8, the Redskins are 4-5, and the Cowboys are 5-4. However, the Eagles face a tough schedule in the future playing the Cowboys twice, Seahawks, Rams, and Raiders. These teams will test both the Eagles offense and defense. However, with the addition of Ronald Darby back and newly signed running back Jay Ajayi, the Eagles don’t look like they are going to lose anytime soon. Expect the Eagles to definitely make the playoffs and most likely win a first-round bye in the NFC.
Minnesota Vikings
Last year, the Minnesota Vikings started out undefeated with a 5-0 record and finished their last 11 games going 3-8. This year, the Minnesota Vikings will follow the same pattern. The Vikings have won the past 5 games against the Bears, Packers (without Aaron Rodgers), Ravens, Browns, and Redskins. This schedule is a piece of cake compared to their next four games where they play the Rams, Lions, Falcons, and Panthers. The Vikings are going to lose at least 2 of these games and also lose their comfortable lead against the Detroit Lions. Expect the Vikings to be a competitor for the wild card as the Lions will outlast the Vikings with Matt Stafford averaging a 114.2 QBR in his past three games.
New Orleans Saints
The 2017 New Orleans Saints are the 2016 Atlanta Falcons and 2015 Carolina Panthers. The Saints showed off their impressive running game with 6 rushing touchdowns on Friday, 3 of them by Mark Ingram. Oddly enough, the Saints defense has taken a big turn. Rookie Marshon Lattimore has shut down some of the most elite wide receivers like Mike Evans, Jordy Nelson, Kelvin Benjamin to a total of 34 yards. The New Orleans Saints play the Falcons twice, the Rams and Panthers for the remainder of the season. The Falcons aren’t much of a threat as they used to be and New Orleans offense could easily topple their vulnerable defense. The Panthers and Rams are two teams with offenses that can be on fire. If the Saints want to stay in the top of their division, they need to outlast both of these teams high-scoring offenses.
Los Angeles Rams
Like the Saints, the Rams have one of the hottest offenses in the league’s right now. Jared Goff has proved his first overall pick worth after his stellar performances against the Giants and the Texans where he posted a 148.6 and 125.4 QBR with a combined 7 touchdowns. Their impressive offense also overshadows their defense, commanded by veteran coach Wade Phillips. The Rams have allowed an average of 18 points a game which is tied for third in the league. The Rams have a very tough schedule ahead of them, probably the strongest in the league. They will face the Vikings, Saints, Eagles, Seahawks, and Titans in the rest of the season. All of these teams are playoff and even Super Bowl favorites. The Rams will bring the same powerful offense and relentless defense they have had in the past couple games, but they will most likely lose to at least two of these teams, most likely the Eagles and Saints.
