SWTerra : Not sure how you can call their defense "decent" they are near the bottom in the league in every category (like I pointed out before) Giving up (on average) 26.1 PPG and almost 400 YPG to opposing offenses is HORRIBLE. Nothing even close to decent. I mean heck, they had a 3 week span where they gave up like 40 points a game to opposing teams. And have given up over 30 in 4 games.

I by no means am saying Tannehill is good, but his team has done NOTHING to help him out. They have THE LOWEST RUSH ATTEMPTS PER GAME. They also have the 3rd worst line. They are averaging almost 40 pass attempts per game. Now a lot of this can be put on the defense for letting games get outta control early, but its certainly not helping him be effective. Very few QB's in this league can win game in and game out when you have that unbalanced of an offense that cant protect. Just doesn't happen.

Even A. Rodgers has struggled in a similar situation with no run game and an iffy line this year(although not as bad as Tannehills)

Jordanv78 : ...As I said, decent in comparison to the rest of the team that somehow manages to be even more anemic.

And I understand what you're saying just fine. I'm just saying that someone needs to step up and try to inspire the team to be better than this. Not just because I believe they can be better than this. Because I know they can be. They have a ton of talent all across the field, but none of it's clicking.

And yes, they have had quite a number of injuries. But even then, the start of the season was no better before the injuries, so that obviously was not the catalyst to such a garbage year.

SWTerra : Well none more anemic than the defense. The passing game numbers are decent aside from the whole lowest rushing attempts per game and their line bringing them down. Otherwise they might be pretty good on that side of the ball. Playing catchup in almost every game is not a position of strength when it comes to offense.

If you are a Dolphins fan, I would be MAJORLY concerned with a defense that was pretty good the past few years and just laid down this year. Especially after the team game Suh 114 million with darn close to 60 million in guarantees.

Actually, NONE of the signings they made in the offseason have worked out as Cameron, Suh and Stills have all been busts to one degree or another.

Hopefully they can get a coaching staff that can overhaul the Oline, shore up the defense (especially the linebackers and Secondary) and call a more balanced offense that can help out a mobile QB like Tannehill.

But then again a lot of that has been junk time and two very random blowouts of massive proportions--

...Y'know what? Let's just agree that the Dolphins are in shambles and leave it at that.

There's really no need to explain what's worse in the team when it's all horrible anyway.

SWTerra : I guess I'm confused regarding the last statement. The defense is at the bottom of the league and the offense, although unbalanaced and mis-coached is at least serviceable.

For me the bigger concern is the 60 million they gave Suh to make the defense among the worst in the league when going into this season, it was among the top 5-10 in the league. There's really no argument for that. When the season started, did you really think the defense would be compared to teams like the Browns, Saints, Lions, Giants and Jaguars? I figure not.

No matter if they are junk time stats or not on offense, really your statement just further shows that Tannehill has been behind the 8ball in almost every game this season and considering he has like 20TDS compared to 11 interceptions, it's not horrible. Especially when you take note that he's been sacked already 33 times this season.

I'm in no way saying that he's great but I am saying that the Dolphins have put him in a position that's almost impossible to succeed in. Considering 95% of the QB's in the league are medicore at best, I wouldn't be too worried there. He's at least serviceable and can win games if put in a more balanced offense that can protect him.

Well, I'm not surprised that the Bengals destroyed the Browns 37-3, but what I am surprised about is the fact that the Patriots lost to THE EAGLES! Their special teams was horrible, a blocked punt returned for a TD by Philly and a Darren Sproles Punt return TD, along with the pick six Brady threw gave the Eagles the win, and what's even better is if the season ended today, the Bengals would be the 1 seed in the AFC. I really hope that my Bengals can keep on winning and get home field advantage. That would be awesome!

The Browns always turn into some version of a Dumpster fire by the end of the year. I like how they acted like Manziel was going to be benched for the rest of the season for "lying" about that Party tape, but then when they realized McCown was out for the season, they quickly backtracked when realizing that their alternative has no business starting in the NFL. I feel bad for their fans.

Bradford came back and the Eagles won, not super surprising especially considering the Pats injuries, but the gaffes on special teams was pretty alarming.

Carolina played a tough game and still came out with the W. The defensive 2point conversion in that game being the first of it's kind in the NFL after the rule changed this offseason.

The Seahawks are looking tough. Vikes fans have to be wondering how good their team really is...and honestly it's not that good. They have a good Defense and a running game, but basically no passing attack. Can't really see them winning in the playoffs. Seahawks are starting to look more like their normal selves, although being without Lynch and Graham in the playoffs is gonna hurt.

I'm irritated that my Bears couldn't pull off the W. The defense majorly fell asleep at the end there helping make Gabbert look like Steve Young with that 42 yard TD run and that long bomb to Smith in OT. Plus the two easy FG's missed by Gould were a huge dagger as well. Looks like their slim chances at the playoffs is now probably dead. Not surprising though, I didn't expect the Bears to have much chance when the season started and was figuring they would be close to a top draft pick. Probably gonna need another year or so of the rebuild till we have a chance to really compete.

A couple of huge injuries early this week in the NFL having huge impact on possible playoff teams.

The Bengals with Andy Dalton making what might be a season ending bad play with that shovel pass INT in the redzone and the ensuing throwing hand Thumb injury. Bengals fans praying that the injury isn't that bad.

It's a huge impact on me in the fantasy playoffs for my money league as I played Eifert today who was starting to get rolling on that drive before Dalton turned it over.

Also Rawls injuring his ankle pretty bad puts a huge dent in the Seahawks playoff chances having to rely on Fred Jackson and an unknown in DuJuan Harris. Seahawks were just starting to get things together too..

About Dalton's thumb injury,  he has a fractured thumb and he'll definitely be out for the 49ers game. The 49ers have one of the league's worst run defenses, so I think they can pull out a win there, however after that, they have to face the Broncos, and assuming Dalton's out for that game as well, it looks like my Bengals won't get a first round bye. We'll need a miracle at this point in order to get a first round bye...

Sounds to me like the Bengals are going to have a rough time, as it sounds like Daltons season is done. Since its a fracture to his throwing hand, I really don't see that healing in enough time for him to be effective in the playoffs, even if he was medically cleared to do so.

Usually they say that you should wait 6 weeks or so for a fracture to fully heal, and to make sure to reduce to risk of re-fracturing the bone.

At the very minimum he would have to sit out 2-3 weeks just for the fracture to heal. And since it's in his thumb on his throwing hand, I would assume the worst case scenario here.

The 9ers are bad, but if they know they are playing against a backup QB, they probably will stack the box against the run. Baltimore is a winnable game as well, but the Broncos game, I'm not so sure about. Osweiler hasn't been great either. So the defense is going to have to score points for them to win. I figure though that with Eifert banged up now as well, that the Bengals are going to have a really hard time winning a playoff game. I really didn't see them winning one before, this just secures it.

The defense is going to have to step up bigtime and keep these games close.

Dalton's timetable is week to week. It sounds like he could be back as soon as Week 17 (I highly doubt he'll be needed for that game), and he could be back in time for the playoffs. The odds are obviously against the Bengals for the first round bye, but it could happen. I mean, the Raiders just beat the Broncos after putting up -12 yards in the first half.

I did see that he dodged needing surgery on his thumb, but he's still going to need at least 2 weeks for that thing to heal, then you aren't sure the grip he's going to have after that short of period of time.

If the fracture was to his left hand, it would be no issue, but since it's to his throwing hand, I don't see him being very effective in a potential cold weather playoff game. A broken bone is a broken bone. That is even more amplified that it's his thumb. I know everyone is staying positive in Cincy, but I wouldn't get my hopes up too much. When Romo broke his pinkie in 08, I think he missed 3 games, and that was just a pinkie.

So it seems that the Dolphins defense once again was a no-show. The most hilarious of the gaffes was that 80+ yard bomb to Beckham where they let him run up the middle of the field basically untouched. How does a team let one of the best WR's in the game run that wide open?? Not only that, they allowed Eli to complete like 87% of his passes!! Crazy. Dolphins are so full of issues. At least they were put out of their misery and eliminated from playoff contention.

I'm really surprised that more people aren't posting in this thread. I know that there has to be a lot of NFL fans on this forum. I guess those that used to post in these threads aren't as active as they once were.

Been a crazy season so far. Gonna be interesting to see how some of these teams finish off the season.

Just a look at some of the teams with playoff hopes and how bad of shape most of them are in.

Houston - Their QB has had 2 concussions in recent weeks and is now "concerned" Watt is playing through and injury and they have no run game. Pretty rough.

Colts - Their star QB is injured and now the old man Hasellbeck is injured too. Their playoff hopes on life support as it is, even without the uncertainty at QB.

Atlanta - Should this team even be in the playoffs? lol

Denver - Their defense is good, but their offense is so, so bad. Nothing really to look at here.

Seattle - I mean how many injuries can one team take and still be thought of as a contender?

Patriots - How healthy is Edleman, and Gronk? Losing Lewis, Blount and the two WR's have really hurt their team (obviously) and now they seem vunerable. Getting Gronk and Edleman near 100% would be great, but will it happen? If not, see above.

Bengals - They have faltered when playing opponents that are half way decent. This injury to Dalton has probably derailed whatever good season they thought they would have. Should be interesting to see how effective Dalton can be at less than 100%. Guy has enough demons in the playoffs already as it is.

Vikings - They stink. Plain and simple. Their record is a hoax.

Packers - They stink too, although you can never rule Rodgers out in the playoffs (if he's half way healthy)

Jordanv78 : Well, the reason I'm not posting is because my favorite team sucks again this year. And usually when they're not playing well, I kinda get away from football a little (even though that's like impossible for me lol). I have a couple reactions to some of your notes there...

- Whoever wins the AFC South between Houston/Indy will probably get blown out of the first round by someone like Pittsburgh. Although, I wouldn't count out Jacksonville just yet as Blake Bortles has had an awesome last couple of weeks.

- Speaking of the Jaguars, they play my Falcons on Sunday...my reeling Falcons (that's a huge understatement). And that only gives Jacksonville more hope. I think we can put a fork in Atlanta. They have no shot at making the playoffs, they're done.

- However, since you said the Vikings stink maybe Atlanta DOES still have a shot to make the playoffs. *looks at Atlanta's remaining schedule, sees Carolina* Crap, nevermind XD

- Denver, New England, Cincinnati are all tough teams to beat in the AFC. I would probably confidently predict one of those teams will represent the AFC in Super Bowl 50. As for the NFC, its tough to say how good Seattle will play in the playoffs. The only difference for them this year will be the road to the Super Bowl in the NFC is NOT going through Seattle. Its going through Charlotte *retches*

- I'm thinking SB 50 will be Arizona vs New England. Even though the Pats have way too many injuries to deal with, I'm not really all that confident in Denver, either. I can't see anyone else making the Super Bowl in the AFC except maybe Cincy. If Pittsburgh makes the playoffs, I suppose they could make a run too.

My favorite team, the Raiders, yet again look to have fallen short of reaching the playoffs. At this point, unless some miracle happens, all they can do is play spoiler. I was pleasantly surprised that they beat the Broncos last Sunday after posting up that horrible, to say the least, first half. I think this season has been a step in the right direction for the Raiders and I think next year they have a better shot at making the playoffs. 

My predictions for the Raiders' games the rest of the season:

Week 15 vs GB: GB wins 31-23

Week 16 vs SD: OAK wins 24-21

Week 17 vs KC: I can really see this one going either way(not that the other two can't), but I feel like the Chiefs, as of now are a better team. However, it is a rivalry game, so there are no guarantees. I give this one to KC 27-20. 


Good luck to all of your teams!

You know, after looking at the games that were played (Week 15), there is a lot of things that can happen in the AFC.

New England will more likely get home-field advantage with a win or Cincinnati loss. Of course it's not a playoff without NE getting Home-field advantage. Again


For First-Week bye, it's basically a 3-way tie between Cincinnati, Denver, and Pittsburgh.

Cincinnati, all they need to do is win against Denver next Monday and they get first week bye. (Or if they lose to Denver, Cincinnati has to win their last game and Denver has to lose their last game)

Denver needs to win the next 2 games

Pittsburgh needs to win the next 2 games and Cincinnati has to lose 2 games and Denver has to lose 1 game.

While I'm glad my Bengals clinched a playoff spot today, I won't be satisfied until the Bengals win a playoff game for once. If they want to do that, they need to beat Denver next week and get that 1st round bye. If they can't get that 1st round bye, then there's a good chance I'm going to have another miserable January.

That Jets game sure was something, the Pats decided to give the ball to the Jets to start off OT thinking that they wouldn't do anything and that then they could score a field goal and win, but things didn't turn out that way as the Jets scored a touchdown and then the Pats couldn't match that. I don't know what they were thinking, it would have been cool if they pulled it off, but nope.

Now all the Jets have to do is destroy Rex Ryan and they're in the playoffs.

So the NFC has all 6 teams that will play in the playoffs. Now its just a matter of the seeding. I think there is a realistic chance of Carolina losing the #1 seed to Arizona. Since the Falcons just gave everyone a blueprint on how to beat the Panthers, maybe the Bucs can do it too. I don't give that a great chance of happening, but I think the Cardinals have been the best team in the NFC for a while now...although their record doesn't show it. They completely destroyed the Packers. That was something else to see.

Well, my Bengals won, but then the Jets had to lose and now we'll have to play the freakin Steelers... Denver ain't losing to San Diego, I can tell you that right now... Man, the Bengals would've had the 1 seed in the bag if they would've won that game on Monday night... Now not only do we not get a 1, we also don't get to have an easy game against Ryan Fitzpatrick, and instead I have to watch another _____ Steelers game...

As for the Jets, if they had a better QB playing for them, they could've been a super bowl contender. When you've got a journeyman veteran player who's sucked for countless teams as your starter, you can't expect to make the playoffs. If Ryan Fitzpatrick proved anything, it's that I've been right about him all along that he'll never lead an NFL team to the playoffs, because he'll always screw up in the end.