Multiple sources just broke that Chiefs QB Matt Cassel just underwent an appendectomy with his return unclear!
Hmm...the AFC West plot thickens. The Cheifs (8-4) are up two games in the division over the Raiders and Chargers, but play SD this week and OAK the last week of the season. SD has by far the easiest remaining schedule with the Niners (4-8), Bungles (2-10), and coachless Broncos (3-9). They should very easily go 3-0 through these teams. By contrast, the Raiders have the toughest remaining schedule with JAX (7-5 division leading), Den (3-9), IND (6-6 but always dangerous with Manning), and finishing with KC...possibly for the division. The Chiefs face SD, then STL (6-6), TEN (5-7 and falling apart)...which is probably in the middle of SD's easy schedule and the Raider's more difficult schedule...this middle schedule will probably prove to be juuuusst right for KC given their current lead.
The schedules and current standings still strongly indicate that this is KC's division to lose....but with Cassel potentially out, the division is thrown into chaos with all 3 teams with a legitimate shot. SD has the easiest road if it can handle business against KC this week and then hopes KC drops 1 more game...but the Raiders would own the tie-breaker over both SD and KC if they can win out...though they have the most difficult mountain to climb.
My Predictions as of now:
KC - Will depend largely on Cassel and this game at SD...huge game...if KC wins this week, I say it's all a moot point and the division is theirs...game over. BUT...I think KC loses at SD, wins the next two, then **bias** loses to the Raiders. Ending up 10-6 (2-2 in the next 4 games). (In fairness I still have yet to really believe in the Chiefs, despite their ability to keep winning and proving me wrong.) Again, it's KC's division to lose, they can afford to drop a game and be fine...even if they lose 2, everyone else has to win out. They are still in the pole position.
SD - Again, if they lose this weekend...Fuhhgggeedddaboutit...but I say SD over KC, then rolls through the bottom of the NFL barrel to go 4-0 in the last four games...with that quintessential late season Rivers magic. That would put SD at 10-6...sitting fairly pretty...but maybe just not enough after getting taken down by the Raiders last week.
OAK - Oak has a tough matchup with Jacksonville this week...a crucial game for them. Then they better beat DEN the next week...then it's somewhat of a toss up in my mind with INDY...and actually I think OAK are underdogs in both the JAX and INDY games (though Berman & Plaschke picked OAK and Woody picked JAX). Though, I do have them beating KC in the final game. If OAK wins out, they would be tied with everyone at 10-6 and would own both tie breakers and be the Division champion. Raiders can still lose one if the Chiefs lose two before Week 17. Then it's for all the marbles unless SD wins out. Unfortunately, my gut has them losing at least 1 of the games between INDY and JAX..(since we're never exactly sure which Raider team will show up...the new emerging Raiders or the old over penalized Raiders) which would put them out of the running unless SD trips up in a game in the next 4 and/or KC also drops one to TEN or STL which is possible but unlikely.
So in the end, the Raiders would technically be the best team in the division...because if these predictions held true, they would sweep all 3 other AFC West teams...BUT...KC or SD would still have a better chance of winning the division due to the remaining schedules. If everything played out as I predict...OAK will fall just short record wise and KC and SD would be in a two-way tie. KC currently 2-2 in the division would lose to SD/OAK and fall to 2-4 in division. SD currently 1-3 in the division would be 3-3 and win the Division. So if everything I predict comes true, SD wins the AFC West (with KC losing their next two division games and SD going undefeated...so thats a huge IF). So in conclusion...Who knows....that's why they play the game ;)
EDIT: NFL DIVISION TIE BREAKING PROCEDURE.
No comments:
Post a Comment