Lets look at every AFC playoff team through a big picture lens

[DesertDevil]

AFC playoff teams listed by seed:

1. Denver - I think overall, they have the most complete defense in the AFC. EVERYTHING with this team will depend on the obvious. What will they get out of the QB position? It looks like Peyton will be the man going in as long as he has no set backs health wise. The 2 weeks off sets up perfectly for Denver. Does Manning have one last flash in him before he is done? If he just plays AVERAGE, that might be good enough. If he tries to do too much, Denver will be one and done. If he can simply be a game manager and let the defense do their thing, I think they have a legit shot to win 2 home games and go to Santa Clara.

2. New England - The Patriots are the Patriots. But they are just so beat up. Their chances will hinge directly on whether or not key pieces can heal up in time to be contributors. Its really that simple. If they get healthy, they are the favorite. If not, see what happened in Miami yesterday.

3. Cincinnati - Very good defensive team. But like most Bengals teams, they are not disciplined at times. Im not sold on Dalton. Even if he does come back healthy. McCarron is a fine back up. But thats it. Until Marvin Lewis shows me he can prepare his team well enough to win a playoff game.... FADE AWAY.

4. Houston - No more than an average NFL team. They are not good enough at the QB position to win a road game in the NFL. Their schedule this year was garbage. They might be the worst team in the NFL playoffs.

5. Kansas City - HOT. And I think legit Super Bowl Contender. Defense. Run the ball. Dont turn the ball over. Well coached. Perfect team to win playoff games on the road. KC is for real.

6. Pittsburgh - Love the offense and Big Ben's playoff pedigree. But too many holes on defense. I don't see them winning more than one game on the road against the competition with a garbage defense like that.

My synopsis:

New England still the favorite if they get key pieces healthy. Denver is all about how Manning performs. Kansas City is the most dangerous team going in. I think right now? They are the best team. I am not betting that NE will get healthy enough. And I still have my doubts with Manning...

My AFC playoff team rankings.

1. Kansas City
2. Denver
3. New England
4A. Pittsburgh
4B. Cincinnati
6. Houston

 

[seer]

4. Houston - No more than an average NFL team. They are not good enough at the QB position to win a road game in the NFL. Their schedule this year was garbage. They might be the worst team in the NFL playoffs.

kc going 1-5 to begin year - with an easier sched ahead of them - i think houston can steal this one.

 

[seer]

hou has the best def in this playoffs maybe next to denver

 

[DesertDevil]

kc going 1-5 to begin year - with an easier sched ahead of them

I'm looking at these teams with a BIG picture lens. Starting 1-5 means nothing right now.

HOU's schedule was garbage. And their division was garbage. Not sold whatsoever.

 

[DesertDevil]

i think houston can steal this one.

Good luck with your wager. :toast:

I think you are gonna need it.

 

[seer]

yes i prolly will try houston quite honestly. u mean to say smith is light years better than ne hou qb has? smith just fits into a system designed not to take risks and run the ball. when u cap games the 1-5 is a part of their whole body of work. kc lets teams hang around right til the end. all the pressure is on them and houston should keep this close. too bad no foster or i would bet alot more on this one.
to me chiefs are ripe for the picking if not next round they are gone

 

[seer]

latest sagarin ratings has seattle #1. carolina plays a 32nd rank sched

 

[MantisToboggan]

kc going 1-5 to begin year - with an easier sched ahead of them - i think houston can steal this one.

I'm with you. 10 game win streak is undoubtedly impressive but they haven't exactly played the NFL's best during that stretch. They beat 2 playoff teams during that stretch, Pittsburgh (with Landry Jones starting at QB) and Denver (the 5-20, 4 INT) Manning performance. Not sure they are worthy of laying 3 on the road in a playoff game.

 

[DesertDevil]

latest sagarin ratings has seattle #1. carolina plays a 32nd rank sched

Wrong thread. I think you meant this for the NFC thread.

 

[TheComputerGroup]

Anyone know if any NFL team started 1-5 & won a playoff game?

 

[DesertDevil]

Anyone know if any NFL team started 1-5 & won a playoff game?

Before this year, there was only one team in NFL history that started 1-5 and even made the playoffs. I think it might have been the Chargers if I remember correctly. In the 70's or 80's. I do not remember if they won a playoff game or not.

So KC is definitely in elite company already as only 1 other team to even make the playoffs starting 1-5. KC has definitely been a trend bucker this season.

 

[TheComputerGroup]

Before this year, there was only one team in NFL history that started 1-5 and even made the playoffs. I think it might have been the Chargers if I remember correctly. In the 70's or 80's. I do not remember if they won a playoff game or not.

So KC is definitely in elite company already as only 1 other team to even make the playoffs starting 1-5. KC has definitely been a trend bucker this season.

Wow, impressive for KC.......

 

[DesertDevil]

Wow, impressive for KC.......

I was thinking an AFC team, and I knew it was a long time ago. It was the Bengals in 1970. They not only started 1-5, but 1-6. Then lost their first round playoff game...

"In the Super Bowl Era, only ONE team has started 1-5 and made the playoffs; in fact, they started 1-6. The 1970 Cincinnati Bengals won their Division and went on to the AFC Playoffs. They were shutout in that Playoff game by the BALTIMORE Colts, 17-0."

 

[Haystacks]

I'm looking at these teams with a BIG picture lens. Starting 1-5 means nothing right now.

HOU's schedule was garbage. And their division was garbage. Not sold whatsoever.

the chefs played nobody during The streak either

 

[texansfan]

Houston ML +160

 

[DesertDevil]

the chefs played nobody during The streak either

Valid point. Both teams have had very weak schedules over all since KC's streak started.

KC went 10-0 during that stretch, and HOU went 7-3.

Both teams playing well. And both teams have done it against garbage competition for the most part.

 

[TheComputerGroup]

Valid point. Both teams have had very weak schedules over all since KC's streak started.

KC went 10-0 during that stretch, and HOU went 7-3.

Both teams playing well. And both teams have done it against garbage competition for the most part.

I stuck the Texans in a 10 point teaser +13.......I don't see KC blowing out the Texans, in fact, I'm starting to like the Texans to win SU, but still have more things to look at.

 

[DesertDevil]

I stuck the Texans in a 10 point teaser +13.......I don't see KC blowing out the Texans, in fact, I'm starting to like the Texans to win SU, but still have more things to look at.

KC is a complete team. They don't beat themselves. But they aren't necessarily built to blow teams out either.

I think a +13 teaser on HOU is relatively safe.

 

[TheComputerGroup]

Anyone know the revenge factor from.regular season in the playoffs?

Chiefs beat Texans in Houston week 1.......27-20 as a -1 point road fav......KC is in the same spot again.

 

[texansfan]

I'll say this about game 1 between KC and Houston and this upcoming game, they have nothing to do with each other.

1st game, Houston gave KC the ball at their own 13 and 7 yard lines after turnovers. You can't give up 14 points off of turnovers. KC had scored 27 points with 4:55 to go in the 1st half. They ended up with that same amount of points after being shutout the rest of the game.

Hoyer's 1st game and was benched for Mallett, who was/is a terrible QB. Houston didn't even start playing great defense until the 2nd half of the Miami game.

Now, losing their starting left tackle is worrisome, and KC can play some defense. I think if Houston can stay away from turnovers, and keep Smith in the pocket, they have a chance to win the game.