Go Denver! Our Playoff Map

If you take into consideration that our only shot at making the playoffs is as the 6th seed, then we have to follow the logic of that scenario with who we root for. We need all of the current division winners to keep winning so the wildcard race doesn't get "muddied" up. The only exception to that rule of course is when we play the Ravens. We also need the highest wildcard team (most likely San Diego or Denver) to continue to win. Why? Because it's amazing how many times current division winners and the top wildcard spot play teams that we need to lose (Jets, Chiefs, Bengals, Jacksonville) in order to gain entry into the playoffs. True, we haven't even won three games in a row yet - but I'm off today and decided to look at the schedules for shits and giggles. Here is how we make it.

We win the remaining 6 games.
The Ravens beat the Bengals and the Chiefs.
The Broncos beat the Bengals and the Chiefs.
The Colts beat the Jaguars and the Bengals.
The Patriots beat the Jaguars.
The Chargers beat the Chiefs.
Jaguars would have to lose 1 more game to (Bills, Dolphins, Chiefs, Titans)
Jets would have to lose 2 games to (Texans, Packers, Bills, Vikings, Dolphins, Raiders)

In the current wildcard race - what would remain would look like this:

Denver: Doesn't even matter what the record is
Steelers: 10-6
Jaguars: 9-7
Chiefs: 9-7 even at 10-6 we have the tiebreak
Bengals: 8-8 heck, let them win another one, 9-7

Not worried about Miami since we have the tiebreaker with them as well. From this mess, you can see that the wildcard teams in front of us don't have it easy by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, the hardest part of this equation will be us finishing out at 6-0. Anything is possible, but sweeping the Ravens and beating the Bengals will not be easy. Carolina is no slouch either. We're in trouble, but there is at least a chance. My new playoff prediction is now a 7% chance, up from 5%. I have this terrible feeling we will fight back and be 5-0 and all the other teams lose and all we will need to do to make the playoffs is win our last game against the Bengals.....and we'll lose by either a fumble on a punt or a tipped pick. Bah-Humbug!