The fact that 3 of the 4 AFCN teams suffered significant injuries last weekend and last night is wild and could have major effects on the AFC playoff race for many teams currently in the hunt. Some schedules just got a critical boost over the next couple weeks, and some of last year’s playoff teams are likely going to implode. All that being said, I think the Bolts’ chances only slightly improved if BAL still has significant injuries when we play them, and depending on how long Burrow’s injury lingers. Looking at who is ahead of us in the playoff standings right now, here are my completely superficial and not-at-all informed enough takes on each team:
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KC – hardest remaining opponents are PHI on MNF and CIN in Wk 17 assuming Joe Burrow’s injury has healed. Should PHI emerge victorious, the game against CIN as well as our Wk 18 matchup could have implications on the 1-seed.
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BAL – With Marc Andrews going down and Lamar and OBJ hobbled, our Wk 12 SNF matchup just got more interesting. We’ll have to wait for the injury reports to make a better determination because, of course, we would get them after long rest. Hardest remaining opponents are JAX, SF, MIA, and the always-tough divisional opponent PIT. If BAL can tough it out without Andrews, they could still be vying for the 1-seed in Wk 18 should KC fall to PHI on MNF this week.
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JAX – Toughest remaining opponents are HOU and BAL, with CIN and CLE being toss-ups. JAX already got blown out by HOU 37-17 in Wk 3, and JAX will face them again in Wk 12. If HOU can surge, the AFCS may not belong to JAX, especially if Trevor Lawrence still struggles. If Burrow’s injury lingers, CIN may be less of a challenge. CLE is a wildcard right now until we see how the rookie plays. They face BAL in Wk 15 and the Ravens will likely have figured out who they are without Andrews, assuming he is done for the season.
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MIA – Toughest remaining opponents will be DAL and BAL. They are probably a lock for the AFCE with how badly the Bills are struggling. The Jets’ defense may be tough, but I expect MIA to still handle them both games without much difficulty despite being a divisional matchup.
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PIT – These guys have grit, and it may be enough to sneak into a playoff spot. They play a rookie QB in CLE this weekend and have a TBD-at-QB matchup against CIN next week. After that, it’s AZ, NE, and IND. If they can run that stretch, they’ll be at 11 wins heading into matchups with CIN, SEA, and BAL. 11-6 should be enough.
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CLE – If the rookie can work some magic and be decent, their defense may be strong enough to squeeze out some wins, but I expect them to sputter and fall out of the playoff race. The next two against PIT and DEN are toss-ups, and then they face LAR. Following that, JAX, CHI, HOU, NYJ, and CIN.
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HOU – CJ Stroud is looking legit. Their remaining schedule (AZ, JAX, DEN, NYJ, TEN, CLE, TEN, IND) is very favorable for them. I expect them to surge and compete for the AFCS title.
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IND – On the bubble, but I expect IND to drop out of the race. They have some middle-of-the-pack teams ahead, but just don’t have anything special going for them to go on a run. Remaining opponents are TB, TEN, CIN, PIT, ATL, LV, HOU.
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LV – Coming off a 2-game win streak after firing Josh McDaniels, the Raiders have quite the gauntlet to get through over the next 8 weeks (MIA, KC, MIN, LAC, KC, IND, DEN). They might only win one or two more games the rest of the season. Obligatory FTR.
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CIN – Burrow is injured with key matchups against PIT and JAX on the horizon. Browning will need to be legit if Burrow’s injury lingers. They are likely toast with a terrible conference record.
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BUF – This team is falling hard and their schedule is one of the toughest remaining. NYJ, PHI, KC, DAL, LAC, NE, and MIA. They might be able to squeeze out 2-3 more wins, but they will not make the playoffs.
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LAC – Before Watson’s injury was announced and before TNF, things were looking bleak. They still are, but not insurmountably bleak. CLE’s defense was strong enough to keep them in competition for a WC spot, and it still is. The biggest question mark going forward will be their rookie QB play. PIT is gritty and their schedule may have just gotten slightly easier. They might sneak in. HOU and JAX may be competing for their division with the loser still firmly in the hunt. Things are still bleak for the Bolts. HOWEVER, Herbert and Kellen Moore’s offense will need to be on point for the remainder of the season in some very winnable games. We know this team likes to play to the competition so every game is a toss-up. GB should be a win for us, and BAL went from a firm L to mid-chub toss-up depending on how last night’s injuries play out. If the Bolts can handle BAL, they will have to hold serve on NE, DEN, and LV. BUF is not looking good right now, but this will be a matchup of two teams that can’t get out of their own way. The Chargers will wrap up the season against DEN and KC, with the latter still possibly fighting for the 1-seed. The divisional matchups scare me the most with their recent successes. The Bolts have their work cut out for them, but some luck might have just broke their way, if only for a little while. Will it be enough? Can the defense get their shit together or will Herbert and the offense have to carry this team again? The Chargers are comatose and on life support, but they just wiggled their finger.