Playoff Scenario Generator

[HPF Bob]

This handy tool from Yahoo Sports, the Playoff Scenario Generator tells you how the playoff seedings will go based on the results of the season's final three weeks.

There are a number of default starting points to choose from (I chose each matchup won by best winning percentage) but you can then go back and tweak the outcome yourself. If you see the 49ers beating the Steelers in Week 15, just click that game and watch the playoff results change. If you think the Magic Tebows can upset the Patriots, change that too.

For Texan watchers, the most important thing is for the Steelers (whom we beat) to take the AFC North over the Ravens (who we lost to) in order for the Texans to get a first-round bye (assuming they win out over the Panthers, Colts and Titans). We can run the table but still wind up the #3 seed if the Ravens and Patriots also win out.

[HPF Bob]

To amplify further, the two most likely games left on the schedule to get us a first-round bye are if New England loses at Denver or Baltimore loses at Cincinnati. Otherwise, we are left rooting for outrageous upsets from teams like the Browns or the Bills.

[WMH]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

To amplify further, the two most likely games left on the schedule to get us a first-round bye are if New England loses at Denver or Baltimore loses at Cincinnati. Otherwise, we are left rooting for outrageous upsets from teams like the Browns or the Bills.

I wouldn't rule out SD over Baltimore this weekend either. SD is, as usual, turning it on when they are in O Crap mode. Baltimore is favored by 1.5 in the game, so Vegas is expecting a close one. Me, I think this is our best shot at knocking off Bmore. Cross country vs. a hot team could help our cause.

Of course, we have very little, if any, margin for error in this whole process.

Week 16 appears as a cake walk for all.
MIA @ NE
CLE @ BAL
HOU @ IND

Week 17 a little more challenging, but really depends on what happens 15/16, at least for TEN and CIN. If they have nothing to play for, it might be a little less challenging.
TEN @ HOU
BUF @ NE
BAL @ CIN

[HPF Bob]

I agree about SD. But they underachieve enough that you start to believe they just aren't that good. They've lost a lot of their o-linemen this year and it's a given that Norv Turner will be fired as soon as their season is over.

After CBS protested, the games were not flexed so Texan fans can settle in and watch Car-Hou, NE-Den and Bal-SD on Sunday consecutively with a rooting interest in all three games.

[barrett]

The Steelers just experienced Tebow time. Hilarious. Especially after all the talk from the announcers in the Texans game about how NE and BAL wanted to play the higher seeded Texans because of how great the Steelers are.

[WMH]

I was pretty impressed with Tebow yesterday. He made some quality throws. I loathe the media buzz/overkill about that kid, but he's fun to watch, and it is somewhat entertaining for him to keep showing everyone that is telling him that he can't do this......do it.

[HPF Bob]

It was a thrilling win and Tebow probably played the most complete game of his NFL career but the Steelers were on life support with all the injuries they'd suffered. Still, it's always enjoyable watching the Steelers lose.

[barrett]

I really think the AFC North ended up way overrated by playing the two worst divisions in football for half of their schedule (AFC South and NFC West). All of their defensive stats were inflated playing 7 bad offenses, and they got 6 easy games and only 2 real ones.

I was not shocked by the Broncos win because both teams tended to play close games, and neither score that much. Tebow is pretty tough in those situations. And Cincy was this year's version of Tampa.

Baltimore was clearly the class of that division (they went 6-0 in the division), but they are about as Jeckyl and Hyde a team as there is in the NFL. They are occasionally great, and occasionally flat. Unfortunately for us, they are usually great at home.

Given the state of the AFC right now, if we had Schaub (not to mention Mario, etc...), I would make us a favorite to reach the superbowl even with our flaws. Oh well.

[chuck]

Originally Posted by barrett

Given the state of the AFC right now, if we had Schaub (not to mention Mario, etc...), I would make us a favorite to reach the superbowl even with our flaws. Oh well.

If the Texans play two halves of football that resemble Saturday's second half there is no reason why they cannot beat anyone in the AFC.

[popanot]

Whether it was coaching, the players, or both, someone on the Steelers should be reamed for that horrible defensive scheme/play in OT (and most of the game for that matter). Granted they had a lot of injuries on D, but to leave the backend exposed like that, even against a horrible passer like Tebow, was just asinine. With the new OT rules, all they had to do was keep the Broncos in front of them and hope Tebow would make a mistake or at worst hold them to a FG. You make them drive the whole 80yds. If they happen to score a TD, well then they deserve the win. Instead, PITT goes all-in against the run leaving Taylor exposed, who already had a horrible game at that point. Amazing.

Have to hand it to Tebow, though. He's a tough SOB to bring down and he has a fire inside like few others. And as gimmicky as that offense is, it's going to be terribly hard to stop if Tebow can somehow find some accuracy.

[nunusguy]

The biggest factor that contributed to the Steelers loss was how many injuries that team has suffered all year and how banged up they were going into the game in Denver. And Big Ben played and thru the ball fairly well, but he didn't have his usual mobility. But they had a ton of injuries to key players.
And the other thing was how well Tebo thru the ball. He's really got an excellent deep ball and made some impressive throws yesterday.
BTW, what is Von Miller ? Maybe 5'10" & 'bout 209 lbs ? Seriously, that guy is the most diminutive NFL edge-rusher I think I've ever seen ? Good, damn good, but really small comparitively speaking. He's safety-sized.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by chuck

If the Texans play two halves of football that resemble Saturday's second half there is no reason why they cannot beat anyone in the AFC.

If you are in the playoffs, then 2 halves of your best football almost always equals a win. We have no margin for error right now (not like NE who can spot the opponent 21 and still be 50/50 to win).

[Nconroe]

Also heard that Patriots hadn't beat one team with a winning record this year, so far.

Anyways I think it would be great if the AFC championship game was in Houston.

[NBT]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

The biggest factor that contributed to the Steelers loss was how many injuries that team has suffered all year and how banged up they were going into the game in Denver. And Big Ben played and thru the ball fairly well, but he didn't have his usual mobility. But they had a ton of injuries to key players.
And the other thing was how well Tebo thru the ball. He's really got an excellent deep ball and made some impressive throws yesterday.
BTW, what is Von Miller ? Maybe 5'10" & 'bout 209 lbs ? Seriously, that guy is the most diminutive NFL edge-rusher I think I've ever seen ? Good, damn good, but really small comparitively speaking. He's safety-sized.

Say what you want about Saint Tebow, the Broncos feed off of his enthusiasm and never say die attitude. We learned last year, if you let him hang around, he will find a way to beat you. Also he is very difficult to keep in the pocket. If he is flushed, he will rollout and either run or make a good throw.

[HPF Bob]

Conan O'Brien re-creates the winning TD:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7A-z...layer_embedded

I particularly enjoyed the ending.