Playoffs?! Playoffs?!!!

[*SHRacerX*]

(11-03-2020, 02:13 PM)Wes Mantooth Wrote: Before anyone thinks I've got absolutely mad, please know that I'm not letting one game completely change my mind on this team. (It was a really nice win though)

There are reports out now that the NFL is strongly considering moving to a 16 team (8 in each conference) playoffs for this season.  What they're saying that would make this all but inevitable is if any team has to cancel a game without a remaining bye, or if he a game is played where a team is forced to play missing multiple players.  Apparently, adding a week 18 is off the table.  This is where the expanded playoffs come in.

So, that is really the point of this thread.  The potential of expanded playoffs.  And according to Adam Schefter it's very likely to happen.

That changes things quite a bit.  Now, do I think that, even with 8 AFC's teams potentially getting in, that we have a great chance?  No.  But....but, it's not completely out of the question.

We currently sit at 2-5-1.  Even if we lose to the Steelers (we could beat them), which would put us at 2-6-1, all is not lost.  Are next 4 game are as follows:  @Washington, Giants, @ Dolphins, Cowboys.

Could we run those stretch of games?  Could we win 3 of 4?  What do we look like at 2-2?

If this team is sitting at, say, 5-7-1, we would at least be in the hunt for a final spot.  I'm not saying we'll get one, but at least the last month of the season would be exciting with meaningful games.

Now here's what we're looking at with the final 3 games: Steelers, @Texans, Ravens.

The Texans game is definitely winnable, as they stink and are in the midst of a complete regime change.  The Ravens, while very good, is the last week of the season.  What happens if they rest their starters?  And the Steelers, if you just chalked up next week as a loss, and can you automatically penciled them in for 0-2?

I'm not sold on this team at all, but a lot of these scenarios intrigue me.  And in a year like this, if we get to 7-8-1, that will give us a chance at the 8th spot.  If we somehow got to 8-7-1 then I'd guess we'd be all but a lock.

Just food for thought.  Might want to watch for the playoff developments, and keep your fingers crossed that we can at least make this interesting.

Takes balls to make this post...I made a few comments in other threads about it and was sure to get hammered for it.

However, consider this:  last year, the defense was setting records for ineptitude and started come play at least average ball down the stretch.  The rushing attack also started to come on, and the Bengals are already doing very well in time of possession and trying to minimize possessions for the opponent.  

The real test is next weekend (two weeks).  It isn't for us, the fans, but for the players.  If they go out and knock off pitt, they will be on an all-time high and will play with an absolute expectation of winning.  Then look at the next four games:

Washington
NYG
Miami
Dallas

It is absolutely conceivable that if they knock off pitt, they end this stretch at 7-5-1, with three games remaining.  If you figure the division winners to be Buffalo, pitt, KC, and Tennessee or Indy, that leaves three playoff spots that right now would belong to Baltimore, Tenn/Indy (whichever doesn't win their division), and Cleveland, with Vegas a half game behind Cleveland and a head-to-head win. 

I don't really see Tennesse or Indy dropping off the playoff hunt, nor do I see Baltimore losing out, but the Browns and Vegas are entirely catchable.  The Browns had an awful outing against the Raiders, but they do have a pretty easy schedule down the stretch with only games against Tennessee,  Baltimore, and pitt where they are likely not to be favored.  We can help ourselves a lot by beating pitt because they might not otherwise have anything to play for week 17 against the Browns.

So, that is what it boils down to:  Can they catch the Browns, Raiders, or Miami.  If they do what I listed above, it is entirely possible.  

I doubt they beat pitt this weekend.  They won't take the Bengals lightly, and I don't see the Bengals doing much to stop their offense.  I sure hope I am wrong, but just hoping Burrow scores a TD every drive isn't really a great game plan with a high probability of occurrance.  

It would sure be fun, though.