GG CAR,

We just got our noses in front and just about held on to get a opening round bye in the play-offs.

We need to improve a **** of a lot,if we`re going to do any thing in the post season.

It`s great to win 3 division titles on the trot,but it`s going to be a **** of a battle next season to once again hold off the Saints,Falcons & Panthers.

lol, nope that would be the AFC west and NFC South, then a toss up

Every team in the AFC West finished with 10 or more wins. Has that ever happened in rl NFL before?

When I joined this league last offseason, everyone warned me this was a tough divison..yall weren't kidding! 10 win team finishes last in division and 11 win team doesnt make the playoffs. Good luck in the playoffs to those that made it to the postseason.

Not that I have seen in the NFL, but ever since Denver got turned around(wink, wink) it is common in the AFC West. The big thing I have seen in this league which is different than other leagues is EVERY game has to be viewed as a playoff game if a team wants to be successful.

AFC Playoff Preview:

#1 Seed Miami Dolphins: This team is on a roll winning their last 11 games. They have to be the favorite to win it all again this year. This team loves to air it out, as they lead the league in completions passing TD’s and passing yards per game. The running game is average with 72 yards a game and 3.0 YPC. They don’t have the most talented secondary, but they are getting the job done 9th in passing yards per game. Nobody seems to test them with the running game as they have no choice but to go into the hurry up game early. They lead the league in sacks with 1.9 per game.

#2 Seed Oakland Raiders: This team loves to give the ball to RB Bill Kibbe as he is averaging 5.1 YPC and had over 1,000 yards. They have a decent passing game as well when QB Curtis throws the ball to his team. Curtis has 26 TDs and 26 INTs. Like Miami everyone likes to throw against them but it doesn’t work. When Oakland has been tested on the ground it has not gone well as they give up 4.1 YPC. That could hurt them in the playoffs.

#3 Seed Houston Texans: We all know the story of the Houston Texans by now. They came out of nowhere, never having more than 5 wins in a season. They have had unexplainably great QB play by a guy who was just supposed to keep the seat warm for their rookie QB Lopez. What we didn’t know is that Houston has played just 3 playoff teams all season. They are 1-2 against teams that made the playoffs. Houston passes just 32 times a game and runs 31 times a game despite averaging just 2.5 YPC. Starting RB Arcuri has a serious ankle injury which will likely keep him sidelined for several games. They also lost their starting RT for the playoffs. Houston’s defense is second to last in passing yards per game, but they do have a decent run defense. It would be a nice story for Houston, but I wouldn’t be betting on them in the playoffs.

#4 Seed Cleveland Browns: Cleveland has been no stranger to playoff football. This is their 8th season making the playoffs. This team has played 4 playoff teams and they are 0-4. Warthog went with a rookie QB all season and I can’t say that it worked QB Hart has thrown 23 TDs and 28 INTs. One thing that has worked is 2nd year RB Palumbo who rushed for over 1,000 yards. The Browns defense has been a little above average which has been enough to get them to the playoffs.

#5 Seed Buffalo Bills: GM raymattison21 has mad a big case for GM of the year as he turned a 2-14 team into a 12-4 team in his first season with Buffalo. They have a balanced offense 6th in passing 8th in rushing. Their pass defense has been suspect but their rush defense has done well making for an average defense. This team is not flashy, but they are capable. I expect Cleveland to have their hands full with this wildcard matchup.

#6 Seed San Diego Chargers: jgcruz and the Chargers remain a force in the AFC as they have made the playoffs all but one year when they had 10 wins. They may be the 6th seed but in this league and their division being the 6th seed doesn’t mean they didn’t earn a playoff spot. The Chargers have lost 5 games but all of them had at least 11 wins. This team has an offense up there with the best of them. They are 5th in passing yards and 6th in rushing yards. Their secondary has done their part giving up just 209 passing yards per game, but the rush defense has been suspect giving up 98 yards per game. The defense is average overall which work for the regular season but may be trouble in the postseason. SD has one other thing going for them though they are +21 in the turnover margin which is the best in the league.

NFC Playoff Preview

#1 Seed Green Bay Packers: The Packers get home field advantage throughout with a 12-4 record. A 12-4 record in the NFC gets you a wild card spot. GrandadB has taken his team to the playoffs 6 years in a row. This offense doesn’t care how they score but they will score a lot. They total 394 yards per game. RB Noah Becker has to be in the conversation for MVP as he has 1,119 yards rushing and 777 receiving. Their defense isn’t exactly a weakness either as they are 5th in total yards per game.

#2 Seed Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tampa nearly lost the division finishing 2-3-1 in the last 6 games. 11-4-1 was still good enough to claim a first-round bye in the NFC. The Bucs are all about defense as they have the best in the league giving up just 211 yards per game. They will need better performance from their offense though if they want to win in the playoffs. QB Foster has struggle throwing 16 TDs to 24 INTs and sacked 45 times. They have no skill players over 600 yards.

#3 Seed Washington Redskins: blackflys is back in the playoffs right when we thought Washington’s reign was over in the NFC East they bounce right back. Washington has a weapon in aging RB Billy Gray who has 1,746 receiving and 758 rushing. The offense can carry them as long as they aren’t turning it over which has been a problem. Their defense has struggled at times this season and that can’t happen in the playoffs. Their thin secondary is banged up as well. It’s hard to beat a good team 3 times in a season and that is what they will need to do against the division rival Cowboys.

#4 Seed Seattle Seahawks: Seattle won 5 of their last 6 including 2 against the Rams and 1 against the Cardinals. 3 of the final 6 games were OT wins. This team seems to be pretty average on both sides of the ball. They are 0-4 against playoff teams including a 34-10 loss to New Orleans who they will play in the wild card round.

#5 Seed New Orleans Saints: After getting off to a slow start the Saints won 10 of their last 11 games to get a wild card. They have one of the best passing attacks in the league with QB Larry Walker. The running game is average but will keep you honest. Their defense needs to step up in the playoffs. They have been a little below average especially defending the pass. They are +19 in turnover margin which will help in the playoffs.

#6 Seed Dallas Cowboys: Dallas looked to be in trouble after they went 0-4 but just like New Orleans, they turned it around in time to make a wild card. This offense hasn’t been great this year but they have flashed potential like 45 against the Packers and 57 against Phily. Their defense is decent but it won’t be good enough if they can’t put up more that 6, which is what they did in their first 2 matchups with Washington.

GG Ray. Nail-biter right to the end. My rookie QB avoided the INT and looked good. Just happy to get a win and advance.

All I can do is laugh.

What a game in Houston.

GG, Salty. Someone had to win (lose) this game, although I was surprised that neither high-octane offense was very effective. The game winning field goal with no time remaining after a desperation throw by QB Houk was both exciting and unbearable to watch.

Game ball goes to unsung hero P Ralph Jackson, who kept the Texans pinned inside their twenty for a good part of the day (5 of 7 punts inside the 20).

Anyway, congrats on a great season, Salty. You have a young and upcoming team and outstanding future prospects.