some playoff scenarios

by jedye on Dec 19, 2008 6:55 PM EST

Playoffs!?! Yup. I admit that after 3-4 I wasn't seeing it. Oh me of little faith. Anyway, here are some interesting (to me anyway) scenarios to keep in mind as you watch this weekend.

So in case you haven't heard the Colts have clinched the 5 seed. Their first round opponent will probably be Denver with the 4th seed unless:

1. Denver wins their next 2 and none of the AFC East leaders (NE, NYJ, MIA) can win both of their next two games. In that case we would play the 10-6 AFC East winner which would probably have been decided by a tie breaker.

2. Denver loses both of their next 2 and lets a San Diego team that would finish 8-8 steal their lunch money.

So interestingly enough, our potential first round opponents are Denver, New England, Miami, the Brett Favres, and "the most ~~talented~~ overrated team in football" aka San Diego.

Also this weekend, Pittsburgh and Tennessee square off for the number 1 seed in the AFC bracket. If Tennessee wins, they go up 2 games with 1 to play and clinch the 1 seed. If Pittsburgh wins both teams go to 12-3 and Pittsburgh owns the first tie breaker (head to head). Then Pittsburgh just has to beat Cleveland in week 17 to hold on. An interesting side note - Pittsburgh and Tennessee both have the early time slot for week 17, so if Tennessee loses this week Jeff Fisher won't know before the game whether beating the the Colts in week 17 will let him take back the first seed.

Of course, all the 1 vs 2 distinction assures is home field advantage if the 2 teams meet in the championship game. Besides that it totally depends on how the wildcard round works out and who wins the AFC East title. In various scenarios, both the 1 and 2 seeds have the possibility of playing New England, Miami, the Jets, Baltimore, Denver, San Diego (crazy that they still have a prayer at 6-8) and of course our Colts, led by Peyton M* Manning.

*"MVP is my middle name"

Things will probably be a lot more clear after this weekend. I'll try to post an update then.

Poll

Who would you rather see the Colts face in the first round?

Denver

41 votes

San Diego

0 votes

New England

1 votes

Miami

3 votes

New York Jets

1 votes

Don't care, we'll handle any of them.

17 votes

I'm a troll/hater and hope the Colts lose to whoever they play.

1 votes

64 votes | Poll has closed

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Stampede Blue's writers or editors.

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Comments

Denver is terrible for a division winner

I’d love to stomp them.

http://naptownsfinest.com

by Colts Homer on Dec 19, 2008 7:02 PM EST reply actions

No running game, no defense…yer I want teh Denvers.

by eltharion_doa on Dec 19, 2008 8:56 PM EST reply actions

Denver because they fall right into the Colts’ strengths. They have no running backs because everyone who decides to carry the ball is immediately placed on IR. One would think the Colts pass defense would play good. Not to mention Mathias and Freeney would be on the loose the entire game.

And of course there is the Denver defense. Wait, do they even have a defense?

by KingRichard on Dec 19, 2008 9:43 PM EST reply actions

There have been rumors of a Broncos defense but so far all investigations have come to naught

Peyton will throw for a few hundred yards and a handful of TDs if we play them. So I’m cheering against the Broncos this week.

http://naptownsfinest.com

by Colts Homer on Dec 19, 2008 10:12 PM EST up reply actions

Broncos

Let’s not take the Broncos for chumps. This is the NFL and there are no easy wins before the game starts. Remember that we didn’t score an offensive TD on the less-than-powerful Browns. And being an older Colt fan, I have vivid memories of when the all pro-laden, 18 point favorite Colts had our lunch handed to us by Broadway Joe and company.

by coltfan59 on Dec 20, 2008 1:34 PM EST reply actions

IF THE TITANS LOSE OUT...

Wouldn’t that put the Colts on top of the AFC South?

They would have a tie in the over all at 12-4

tie in division at 4-2

But the Colts would be ahead by 2 full games in the conference 10-2 to 8-4.

Why wouldn’t the Colts be division winners?

by BuffaloPhil on Dec 20, 2008 2:20 PM EST reply actions

i think

because the 2nd tiebreaker is common opponent of something and the titans lead in that category. its messed up but yeah i think that is right

by skywalker on Dec 20, 2008 2:25 PM EST up reply actions

The tiebreaker is common NFC opponents

I know it’s stupid

http://naptownsfinest.com

by Colts Homer on Dec 20, 2008 2:29 PM EST up reply actions

not common NFC opponents

just common opponents, people have only talked about the NFC opponents because neither the Colts or the Titans have lost to a AFC North team (the AFC division they both play this year)

Shonn Greene for Heisman
Doak Walker award winner
144 yards per game
6.2 yards per carry
08 TDs per game > 06 GPA

by shake n bake on Dec 20, 2008 3:00 PM EST up reply actions

any given Sunday...

…anything can happen. We as fans have basically no control over it. Maybe if you’re actually attending the game and you scream really loud at the right times and 50,000 to 70,000 other fans do too, you might have a very small impact. Otherwise we’re just interested observers. Saying you do or don’t hope the Colts play any one team has ZERO impact on the outcome of the game when it is finally played. That’s just superstition we invent to make ourselves feel like we have some impact on the game. Putting the poll up was just a way to help everybody pass the time while we wait for the rest of the league to work out their playoff situations.

Personally I do hope that the Colts play the Brocos. First there’s the matter of equine mascot bragging rights. Then there’s the fact that I live in Denver and utterly hate the Broncos (Brandon Stokley gets a pass) and really want someone to come here and crush them and I think the Colts can do it. I hate it when the TV channels leave the exciting ending of a close game to show Bronco’s pregame! I generally only get to watch 2 daytime Sunday games per week because nothing can be aired opposite the Broncos and they’re always playing the stupid AFC West. Also, there’s a very remote chance I might be able to get tickets to the game, which would also be awesome. So yes, I do hope the Colts play the Broncos and no, my hoping doesn’t make any difference on how the game will turnout.

Now, if Peyton and the rest overlook the Broncos they do so at their own peril because Denver does get up for big games. But I believe the Colts have worked too hard to get where they are to take any game, especially a playoff game, for granted.

by jedye on Dec 20, 2008 2:37 PM EST reply actions