Nov 14, 20237 min read

Gridiron Talk: "In The Air"

The NFL playoff picture is beginning to create it's mold, but lacks a strong base with damaged roots near the core. The AFC is an utter circus in the standings as nine teams are all cramped together in the Wild Card race with each week of action giving the possibility of delivering a flip. The NFC's side of the bracket sees more clarity than the AFC. The top seven seeds are currently on lock by their respected teams. The nine teams under .500 aren't dead in the water, but they have their backs against the wall as they look up to the rest of the pack. Playoff spots are up in the air and available for the taking for most the teams across the league. Take a peep at the current playoff picture:

That AFC picture is straight havoc. I kinda like it. I like the havoc, not the inconsistency. The inconsistency across the AFC's playoff contenders is interesting. I'll say interesting, not concerning. We can stick with interesting for now. The Ravens looked to be on the rise to their own tier atop the AFC until they blew a 24-9 third quarter lead to their division rival Browns at home in Baltimore. I won't sit here and type it to be a demoralizing loss, but inconsistency is inconsistency. As a team fightin' for a one seed past the halfway point of the season- you can't blow three score plus leads. Just can't do it. They gotta do a 180 and forget about that L with a quick turnaround against the Bengals on Thursday Night Football. It's much easier to respond after a blowout loss than the type of loss the Ravens had losing a lead and givin' up a game losing field goal. Big game on TNF as they look to respond and the Bengals look to remain in the playoff hunt.

That was a big dub for the Browns to avoid two straight whoopins to split the season series against the Ravens. The AFC North is a bloodbath in the standings and remains the best all around division in football right now. The four are set to make more noise in WK11 as they are in full war mode in the fight for the playoffs... and division title! Ravens versus Bengals on Thursday, followed up by a Sunday afternoon slugfest between the Steelers and Browns. Pitt took the first game of the season series in a solid Monday Nighter in WK2. Browns look to avenge that early loss to keep building their playoff case while hurtin' the Steelers' case. Big time games for not just the division, but the entire AFC playoff picture.

Unfortunately, I was right on not claiming the Jaguars as a legitimate title contender in the AFC as they were destroyed by the 49ers 34-3 at home in WK10. Trevor Lawrence continues to be disappointing manning the wheel for the Jaguars' offense. The 49ers defensive line smoked the Jags' o-line in many occasions, that was difficult for T-Law to deal with, but he still needs to step up with bettering his release; passing decisions; and timing of decisions. As the face of the franchise he needs to do more than 185 yards, 0TD-2INTs, and a 48.8 rating. Not all his fault; needs to be better regardless. He has 9 passing tuddys to go with 6 interceptions and we want this cat hailed as a top 5 QB? Cmon. Jags need a big bounce back dub this week against a poor Titans team as they play the Texans the week after, a game that could play major in the division title outcome. Giddy up Jags, it's now or never.

The Dolphins are sittin' happy as their schedj's next slew of games are against teams that are not considered elite. With the Bills' downfall and firing OC Ken Dorsey today, it's hard to think the Dolphins will blow the AFC East. Winning the AFC East doesn't prove them to be playoff valuable- but we can get to that talk in WK15 when they run their pre-playoff gauntlet. Outside of the division leaders and the mighty AFC North, the Wild Card race is anyone's game as every team but, maybe the Patriots and Titans, are in on the hunt.

We have ten matchups in the next two weeks that see AFC teams in the playoff hunt go at one another. The shuffle and flips in the standings are going to be rapid with how cramped together the teams are. November will either give clarity to the AFC playoff picture, or make things even more messy. Messy in terms of uncertainties that will create tough predictions. We have a few key matchups in WK11 to keep an eye on in regards to playoff implications. I mentioned the battles in the AFC North, we also will see the new vibe Raiders travel to Miami to take on the Dolpins for a crack at the Fins' 4-0 home record. We also will see the Jets take on the Bills in a rematch of the week one thriller. A gorgeous slate of action to set more flames to the playoff pit. Time for the AFC squads to buckle up and get gritty... the noise is only going to get louder.

The NFC is far weaker in terms of conference depth in regards to teams' win percentage with there being nine NFC teams with a .400 winning percent or lower compared to the AFC which only has five. However, the playoff picture has far more clarity than the AFC's as the Wild Card race is a three-way fight (will change quickly) between the Vikings; Cowboys; and Seahawks, with the top seeds having seperation from the rest.

Eagles aren't playing like a powerhouse across all fashions of the game, but they currently rule atop the NFC and is 6-0 in the conference. With their win over Dallas, they have some comfy seperation now. A nice monkey to not have on your back. They can't let off the gas pedal with the Chiefs; Bills; and 49ers comin' to cut their wings, but havin' seperation in the standings releases some stress and allows even more focus on JUST the next opponent. They are sittin' good in Philly. You go north more to Detroit and you can sense the Lions are feelin' some pressure as they look for similar seperation sittin' at the two seed.

Nothin' tooo crazy, the Lions' just give off a little stareback every once in awhile as they walk in the quiet sahara to make sure they don't spot a hunter; aka the Vikings. Minnesota look at cha! Skol is rockin' as the Vikings have executed a full flip to their season as they ride a league high five game winning streak. The fact the Vikings are winnin' after losing Justin Jefferson to IR and Kirk Cousins to the shelf is remarkable. They go and trade for the Cardinals' Josh Dobbs and what a decision it was. Dobbs was marvelous in his first appearance with the Vikings comin' in for the injured Jaren Hall just days after being acquired to go bananas in argubably his best pro outing. Dobbs then backs it up with a great first start as he orchestrated a helluva first half to elevate Skol over the NFC South leadin' Saints. Checkout this gem from Dobbs as he made things HAPPEN:

video via NFL//X

The Viking's electricity immediately sparked off Dobbs as he looks like a whole different quarterback. Now Minny is back in the playoff hunt and even are making some noise in the NFC North as they try and hang in with the Lions. The playoff picture can see some big twists and turns if the Vikings keep winnin'. They have an identical schedule compared to Detroit's as they face a light taste of comp before finishing off the season with some difficulty that includes two games against the Lions. The Vikings have to take advantage of this stretch of games if they want to stay atop the Wild Card as the Seahawks; Cowboys; and Buccaneers will not bow down without a fight.

NFC Wild Card race has clarity as we roll into week eleven on the gridiron. As we watch those four fight, we still need to keep an eye on two large factors that if altered: will change the landscape of the NFC playoff picture. The NFC West tilt between the 49ers and Seahawks; as well as the lackluster NFC South and it's residents fight for the top, down under. Seahawks and 49ers are not only fighting for the NFC West crown, they also fight with the Lions for the two seed. Both teams have a HEFTY dose of comp in November and December that includes both season matchups between the two. With the heavy comp, we could look at them in two different ways come December. Each way will have a complete different playoff picture. Same goes for the nasty South.

The NFC South is hands down the worst division in football as of today. So bad, yet they can change the playoff picture in any given week. The Saints are 5-5 while the 4-5 Bucs and 4-6 Falcons sit right below them. All three teams still have time to win the division or even get back into the Wild Card hunt. I don't think we can add too much to their plate- they should just focus on winnin' the division as that's the only real chance we see a NFC South team in the playoffs. The Saints and Falcons have their bye week next to regroup and find the right recipe to boost themselves to the playoffs as they play eachother in a HUGE game in WK12. The Buccaneers join the war right away as they try and go into Levis Stadium to beat the 49ers in WK11. One or more of these squads can go streakin', which would shake up the entire playoff picture.

Big time matchups in the next two weeks give us all the focus we need. It's safe to say that the NFC playoff picture has more clarity than the AFC entering WK11; that can change going into WK12. That's how close the races are. A Super Bowl matchup between the Chiefs and Eagles on Monday Night Football is sure to be noisy as well. One of those teams gets a number added to their loss column- that itself will make a small change atop their respected Conference. Big time noise.

My updated power rankings drop saw some twists as the Jaguars and Bills took tough losses. I wasn't too kind on them, especially Jacksonville who dropped outta the top three; five; and ten (11). I'm confident with the Eagles-Lions-Chiefs being top three. Excited to see that Philly-KC battle on Monday night. Texans welcome themselves to the top ten and the entire AFC North holds a spot in the top ten. Take a peep at the new rankings drop and gear up for what should be an electric week of NFL action:

Gridiron Talk: "In The Air"

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