Shutdown Corner - NFL

Shutdown Corner

Tue Nov 04, 2008 12:54 pm EST

The premature playoff picture: Week Nine

By MJD

Out: Denver, Dallas, Washington. In: San Diego, Tampa Bay, Philadelphia 


AFC First Round Byes:
Tennessee Titans
Pittsburgh Steelers

Other AFC Divisional Champions:
Buffalo Bills
San Diego Chargers

AFC Wildcards:
New England Patriots
Baltimore Ravens

NFC First-Round Byes:
New York Giants
Carolina Panthers

Other NFC Divisional Winners:
Arizona Cardinals
Green Bay Packers

NFC Wildcards:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Philadelphia Eagles

Hated to Leave You Out:

Baltimore Ravens. The first draft I did of this had Baltimore in, at the expense of Indianapolis, given their one-game lead in the wildcard standings. But then you consider that Indianapolis beat the pretty purple feathers off the Ravens, and the fact that the Ravens have a brutal schedule the rest of the way, and I'll take Indy to close that gap.

Washington Redskins. I didn't feel good about leaving the Redskins out, and it's not necessarily a punishment for losing last night to the Steelers (you know what I meant, dammit). It's just that the Eagles have played so well recently. They're kind of the forgotten team in the NFC East, but they've won their last three games by 19, 13, and 15, and one of those came against a pretty good Atlanta team.

Chicago Bears. You're leading the division now. I know. But Rex is also back in charge. And I give the Packers more credit for taking the Titans to overtime than you get from struggling with the Lions.

Denver Broncos. All the troubles San Diego's had, including a gift win that you got over them, and you don't have more than a one-game lead in the division? You're in trouble.

New York Jets. At 5-3 and with wins over Arizona and Buffalo, you deserve a mention. So you get a mention. Nothing more.

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116 Comments

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  1. Isaac M
    1. Posted by Isaac M Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:48 pm EDT

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    Err... I see Baltimore still in on the picture. And Washington lost to the Steelers last night. Not the Giants.
  2. matty k
    2. Posted by matty k Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:23 pm EDT

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    I'm starting to think that all of your Favre hate earlier in the year might have been some kind of overcompensation for your unseemly love of the Packers.
  3. Andy
    3. Posted by Andy Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:58 pm EDT

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    was this guy drunk when he wrote this
  4. HASH
    4. Posted by HASH Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:34 pm EDT

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    Wow cant belive u still put the chargers in there!
  5. HASH
    5. Posted by HASH Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:34 pm EDT

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    But kudos the rest looks good! CAROLINA in the Super Bowl and Steve Smith touchdown! Redemption
  6. Count Chocula
    6. Posted by Count Chocula Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:28 pm EDT

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    MJD is obviously out of material. Time to pack it up and get a real job.
  7. innocent_eric
    7. Posted by innocent_eric Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:24 pm EDT

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    I'm just happy to see my Cardinals in anybody's playoff predictions this late in the season. :)
  8. dukefanz2000
    8. Posted by dukefanz2000 Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:49 pm EDT

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    Maybe he's tipping and tokin'. But with all said, the Eagles play the Giants next week, and pretty sure the way they have been playing meaning the Giants, you won't see Philly up there.
  9. Isaac M
    9. Posted by Isaac M Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:48 pm EDT

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    Anyone else notice that Baltimore is under "Hated to leave you out" but is in? Or have I been hanging with Ricky too much?
  10. Dayman
    10. Posted by Dayman Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:38 pm EDT

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    Good, except for the chargers, really? And to mention that the Steelers are winning with several injuries to the offense, two on the line. But, offense only wins games, Defense wins championships! Ring #6 is coming!
  11. mehul r
    11. Posted by mehul r Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:15 pm EDT

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    wow...just wow
  12. Matt
    12. Posted by Matt Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:28 pm EDT

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    Dude, first off, the 'Skins lost to the Steelers last night, not the Giants. Secondly, while I admit that all six of their wins this season have been ugly, do they get no bump for being in second place in the toughest division in football with a rookie head coach and a Week 10 bye? They looked exhausted out there last night, and if they went into last night's game having already had a rest week, they'd have at least been a lot more competitive, if not won the game.
    I'm no Redskins apologist (though I am a fan), but I still see them making the playoffs, at the expense of the Eagles or even (gasp!) the Cowboys.
  13. Cliff
    13. Posted by Cliff Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:31 pm EDT

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    Very poor effort MJD. You are on the hot seat.
  14. Erik O.
    14. Posted by Erik O. Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:17 pm EDT

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    You need to accept the fact that the Chargers are cooked. And even if they didn't suck as much as they do now, we both know that they'd never reach the Super Bowl. Your boys are notorious for choking when it counts.
  15. Flammy The Belly Lint
    15. Posted by Flammy The Belly Lint Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:19 pm EDT

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    Hey Yahoo.
    consider this a resume submission. Looks like you are need of a good writer. I think I can help.
    The nonsense posted above is neither entertaining or very accurate.
    Feel free to contact me regarding your impending writer's position.
  16. TG
    16. Posted by TG Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:11 pm EDT

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    MJD thinks the skins played every team this week...interesting
  17. TMS
    17. Posted by TMS Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:14 pm EDT

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    Go steelers !!!!!!!!!!
  18. Lotus
    18. Posted by Lotus Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:57 pm EDT

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    MJD, you have heard positive comments as well as get-well wishes from me before. But this time methinks you are still sick.
    The Bucs have played very poorly on the road and were lucky to escape KC. I do not know why you are so high on them.
    The Eagles have already lost to the Redskins in Philly. Further, although you are correct that the Eagles have been playing better, it has been against pretty weak competition overall.
    Therefore you REALLY shouldn't feel good about leaving the Redskins out.
  19. dudelabowski
    19. Posted by dudelabowski Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:49 pm EDT

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    Attention Yahoo! MJD is not qualified to write for you. Please find someone else!
  20. Jordan H
    20. Posted by Jordan H Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:34 pm EDT

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    Kinda sad that he has so much love for the Packers..... i'm thinking Da Bears will do it
  21. Joshua N
    21. Posted by Joshua N Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:36 pm EDT

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    Packers lost, period. Get over your Green Bay love.
  22. El Becko
    22. Posted by El Becko Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:19 pm EDT

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    Hey Flammy:
    Consider some lessons in puctuation and grammar before applying for any more writing jobs.
  23. Paul S
    23. Posted by Paul S Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:20 pm EDT

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    The Redskins lose to the 2nd best team in the AFC (Steelers, not Giants), remain in 2nd place in the division.
    The Skins and Eagles also have virtually identical schedules left, except the Skins get all their division games at home and play San Fran instead of Arizona. Plus the Redskins have their bye to heal up.
    Yet you have Phily in ahead of Washington . . . hmm
  24. Jessie B
    24. Posted by Jessie B Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:33 pm EDT

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    i find it a joke that people think the Bears are going to the playoffs. obviously, it's a little off elsewhere, but at least he got the Packers right cause the Bears won't do anything with Grossman and the Packers are now healthy, who happened to take the undefeated Titans into overtime in Tennessee! i'm glad MJD at least has the brains to see that much.
  25. Jessie B
    25. Posted by Jessie B Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:33 pm EDT

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    Chargers, Eagles, and Ravens will not make the playoffs. that's a guarantee.

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