Binge Sports: Bye-Bye Bye Weeks, Part 1: Breaking Down the AFC (FAN VOTE!)
The bye weeks are over and it’s crunch time in the NFL. Welcome to Binge Sports NFL coverage. Over the next couple of days, I’m going to break down every team in the NFL as we enter Week 13 of the regular season and in the weeks to come, I’ll bring you updates as we inch closer to the playoffs.
With five games to go, and so many teams still in the playoff picture, I’ll break down where your team is, who they’ve got left to play, and make my own predictions on how this plays out. And I’m very excited to announce the return of the fan vote. After each division, make your pick on who you think will win each division. I’ve only included teams that have an actual chance. Sorry Raider Nation. We’ll start today with the AFC.
CURRENT STANDING: 9-2, 1st in AFC East
REMAINING SCHEDULE: @GB, @SD, MIA, @NYJ, BUF
BREAKDOWN: Well, here we are again. Much to Jack’s delight, the Pats are atop the AFC East, the AFC overall, and may be the best team in the NFL to this point. After a disappointing start, New England is hitting on all cylinders and are basically a lock to win this division and are on the fast track to home field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs. This week’s matchup against the Packers may be a Super Bowl preview.
CURRENT STANDING: 6-5, T-2nd in AFC East
REMAINING SCHEDULE: @NYJ, BAL, @NE, MIN, NYJ
BREAKDOWN: The Dolphins will be in a battle for a wildcard slot, but outside of the Patriots game in two weeks, their schedule looks pretty good, especially with two matchups with the lowly Jets.
CURRENT STANDING: 6-5, T-2nd in AFC East
REMAINING SCHEDULE: CLE, @DEN, GB, @OAK, @NE
BREAKDOWN: The Bills are one of the best stories in football this year. However, a tough schedule looms ahead. This week’s matchup against the another feelgood team, the Browns, will be a tough test, and it doesn’t get any easier with games left against the Broncos, Packers, and Patriots. But at least they still get to play the Raiders.
CURRENT STANDING: 2-9, last in AFC East
REMAINING SCHEDULE: MIA, @MIN, @TEN, NE, @MIA
BREAKDOWN: J-E-T-S, J-E-T-S, J-E-T-S, Jets are awful! Okay, maybe that’s now how it goes but it’s true. The Jets certainly aren’t fighting for a playoff spot, but are in a heated battle with the Jags, Raiders, and Bucs for that number one pick.
[yop_poll id=”148″]
CURRENT STANDING: 7-3-1, 1st in AFC North
REMAINING SCHEDULE: @TB, PIT, @CLE, DEN, @PIT
BREAKDOWN: For the moment, the Bengals sit atop the most competitive division in football this season, and it’s actually due to a tie they had with Carolina. This is anybody’s division right now and every game is crucial. This week’s game against the Bucs should be a breeze, but they finish with three division games and a Week 16 matchup with the Broncos who will probably still be fighting for home field advantage.
CURRENT STANDING: 7-4, T-2nd in AFC North
REMAINING SCHEDULE: NO, @CIN, @ATL, KC, CIN
BREAKDOWN: I think the Steelers have one more easy game than the Bengals do right now. With two games left against the dreadful NFC South, the Steelers may have a slight advantage, but it will obviously be the two games against the Bengals that will make or break the season.
CURRENT STANDING: 7-4, T-2nd in AFC North
REMAINING SCHEDULE: SD, @MIA, JAC, @HOU, CLE
BREAKDOWN: The Ravens only have one game left in the division and play three of their last five at home, including a game against 1-10 Jacksonville and finish the season against the Browns, which could be a game to see who moves on and who goes home.
CURRENT STANDING: 7-4, T-2nd in AFC North
REMAINING SCHEDULE: @BUF, IND, CIN, @CAR, @BAL
BREAKDOWN: The Browns may be the biggest surprise in the AFC this year. They just find a way to keep on winning games. They’ve got a tough three weeks ahead with a game this weekend in Buffalo, but get to stay at home for matchups with the Colts and the division-leading Bengals. They’re punished for that with two games on the road to finish up, but at least one is against a 3-win Panthers team. Somebody is going to be left out in the cold from this division. Will Cleveland get burned once again?
[yop_poll id=”149″]
CURRENT STANDING: 7-4, 1st in AFC South
REMAINING SCHEDULE: WAS, @CLE, HOU, @DAL, @TEN
BREAKDOWN: With a two game lead with five to go, I’d say the Colts are a safe bet to win this division. I don’t see them having too many problems this weekend at home against Washington, but three of the last five are on the road. Stranger things have happened, I suppose.
CURRENT STANDING: 5-6, 2nd in AFC South
REMAINING SCHEDULE: TEN, @JAC, @IND, BAL, JAC
BREAKDOWN: It’s hard to make up two games in five weeks, especially chasing a team like Indy, but with two games left against Jacksonville and a huge game against the Colts in three weeks, don’t count out potential MVP J.J.Watt and the Texans just yet.
CURRENT STANDING: 2-9, 3rd in AFC South
REMAINING SCHEDULE: @HOU, NYG, NYJ, @JAC, IND
BREAKDOWN: Tennessee just has nothing going right now. I guess I forgot to mention them in the fight for the number one pick earlier. Sorry.
CURRENT STANDING: 1-10, last in AFC South
REMAINING SCHEDULE: NYG, HOU, @BAL, TEN, @HOU
BREAKDOWN: This record actually surprises me a little bit. I certainly didn’t think they would be a playoff team just yet, but at least Denard Robinson is entertaining.
[yop_poll id=”150″]
CURRENT STANDING: 8-3, 1st in AFC West
REMAINING SCHEDULE: @KC, BUF, @SD, @CIN, OAK
BREAKDOWN: For a while there, the Broncos looked like they were the best team in the NFL. It’s not that they’re not a good team, but they’re in a dogfight in this division. This week’s game at Arrowhead, along with a game in San Diego in three weeks, will give us a good idea about where this division may be headed.
CURRENT STANDING: 7-4, T-2nd in AFC West
REMAINING SCHEDULE: DEN, @ARI, OAK, @PIT, SD
BREAKDOWN: As you saw above, the Chiefs have a big test this week as the Broncos come to town. It’s nice to have a game against Oakland left, but as we just saw, beating the Raiders isn’t a given for this team. Arizona is fighting for home field advantage and the Steelers and Chargers will be battling for playoff berths as well. Not an easy road for KC.
CURRENT STANDING: 7-4, T-2nd in AFC West
REMAINING SCHEDULE: @BAL, NE, DEN, @SF, @KC
BREAKDOWN: It’s a tough schedule for San Diego coming home. Every single game they have left are against playoff-caliber opponents and three of them are on the road. At least they get Tom Brady and Peyton Manning at home, if that’s really any consolation.
CURRENT STANDING: 1-10, last in AFC West
REMAINING SCHEDULE: @STL, SF, @KC, BUF, @DEN
BREAKDOWN: Oh, Raider nation…you poor bastards.
[yop_poll id=”151″]
Is your team getting in? Can they win it all? I know what Jack is going to say, but how about the rest of you? Justify your votes below or follow and tweet @BingeSports and/or @THElukenorris. I’ll be back tomorrow with the breakdown of the NFC.