Sizing up AFC wild card picture: Remaining schedule for each team in mix, predictions on who makes playoffs

Just four weeks remain in the 2023 regular season and the playoff race is as tightly contested as it’s been in recent memory. Just one team has officially secured a playoff spot and only two teams have been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention as we head into Week 15. Specifically in the AFC, no team is locked into the postseason and all but one club is technically still alive. 

As we barrel down the stretch run, we’re going to look at the AFC and, more precisely, the wild card race that is neck and neck as we sit here with a month left. We have six teams currently 7-6 on the season, so there is going to be plenty of jockeying for position to try and be one of the three teams that land those wild card spots. 

Below, we’ll lay out the current wild card standings heading into Week 15, roll out every team’s remaining schedule for each club, and finally give our predictions for how this race will ultimately shake out. 

What are the tiebreaker scenarios?

Given how close all these teams are in the standings, it’s a good time to highlight all the tiebreaker scenarios that could become a key factor as we determine who the wild card teams are. 

If two wild card teams are tied for a playoff spot and are division rivals, the tiebreaker will be head-to-head record. If the two teams split the season series, the best win percentage within the division will be the tiebreaker. 

If there are two clubs from different positions that are tied at the end of the year, here are the following tiebreaking scenarios: 

Head to head, if applicable.Best won-lost-tied percentage in games played within the conference.Best won-lost-tied percentage in common games, minimum of four.Strength of victory in all games.Strength of schedule in all games.Best combined ranking among conference teams in points scored and points allowed in all games.Best combined ranking among all teams in points scored and…


Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/sizing-up-afc-wild-card-picture-remaining-schedule-for-each-team-in-mix-predictions-on-who-makes-playoffs/

Author : Tyler Sullivan

Publish date : 2023-12-14 13:43:41

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