What If? Playoff thoughts.

[TarHeel69]

Yes, I'm like almost everyone on here when it comes to this season.  Frustrated!!!  With the decimation along the Offensive Line and injuries across multiple positions, I still wanted to see the math.  But, What If? So here is a possible scenario, division only, that I came up with.  No particular science to it.  A combination of hopes and dreams.  Very little common sense and football savvy thrown in.  But hey, I'm still gonna watch the games.

[Jangler]

Man...you posted this whilst I was on? Bravo 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[DaveThePanther2008]

That is a tough schedule to win out on but like you I am always optimistic.  

The diehard Panther Fan says Hell Ya.  

The realistic Fan thinks If our line wasn't so AFU I would think it was possible.  

[SOJA]

we're not eliminated, I think most of my frustration stems from us losing winnable games. There's no reason we shouldn't be right in the thick of the playoff hunt. 

[Still Brooklyn]

Just stop.

[Nails]

The Panthers still play the Redskins.  They simply need to lose 2 of these remaining 4.  @Cardinals, @Ealges, Bears, and Giants.

The Eagles only need to lose one more by virtue of conference record.  @Bengals, Redskins (preferably not), @Ravens, Giants, and Cowboys.

The Vikings likely need to lose two more since they have the tiebreaker.  @Jaguars, Colts, @Packers, Bears.

The Packers need to lose one more.  Texans, Seahawks, @Bears, Vikings, @Lions.

The Cardinals need to lose one more.  Redskins (preferably not), @Dolphins, Saints, @Seahawks, @Rams.

The Bucs play the Panthers, and need to lose an additional game.  @Chargers, Saints, @Cowboys, @Saints.

The Saints need to lose one more game.  Lions, @Bucs, @Cardinals, Bucs, @Falcons.

All of these are likely scenarios in a bubble.  To have them all happen and the Panthers win out is not likely, but very possible.

 

 

 

[Ivan The Awesome]

Time to let it go guys. Had we won the chiefs and Raiders game, I'd be right there with you. With all the injuries, among other things, happening to this team. I will be surprised if this team wins 2 more games. 

[Nails]

3 minutes ago, Hammerin'Cameron1 said:

If the Falcons and Panthers both finish 9-7 who wins the division

Likely the Falcons unless one of their three remaining losses is at home to New Orleans.  They'd have to lose @Rams and at home to the Saints as well as, of course, losing to the Panthers.  The Panthers would then have an equal division record and superior conference record.

[Nails]

Just now, Hammerin'Cameron1 said:

Chiefs, @Rams could be losses for Falcons, then maybe even the Saints, and us

It would HAVE to include the Saints to win a tiebreaker.  If it's Chiefs, us, and Saints that beat the Falcons, then it likely comes down to strength of victory which is obviously unknown at this time but knowing they beat the Raiders I wouldn't like the chances.  http://www.nfl.com/standings/tiebreakingprocedures

[the_philosopher]

15 minutes ago, Nails said:

It would HAVE to include the Saints to win a tiebreaker.  If it's Chiefs, us, and Saints that beat the Falcons, then it likely comes down to strength of victory which is obviously unknown at this time but knowing they beat the Raiders I wouldn't like the chances.  http://www.nfl.com/standings/tiebreakingprocedures

It would actually come down to our relative records against common opponents first if we had the same records against division opponents. (See division tiebreaker rules.) Apologies if you've already calculated that our records against common opponents would be the same on this scenario.

We can at least be very clear that on the OP's scenario, the Falcons would DEFINITELY win the tiebreaker over us, since (after beating the Saints) they would have a 4-2 division record compared to our 3-3. Our better conference record would be irrelevant. 

 

[Bronn]

Atlanta isn't going to crap the bed...

Even if they did, our only real shot is to win out, and we need for a bunch of other crazy scenarios to happen for a chance at a wildcard. Winning the division, at this point, is pretty much impossible.

If we lose one more game we are pretty much out, and I can pretty much guarantee we'll lose at least 2 more games, if not more.

 

[Randolph Panther]

If you go on the ESPN playoff machine, if we win out their is a few ways we could get in, as a division leader or wildcard.  I actually crunched a few times and had us up to the 3 seed hosting Minn or Green Bay.  I also had a scenario where we were a 6 seed playing at 3 seed Atlanta.  I know its pie in the sky, but not totally impossible if we could beat Seattle.

[Nails]

16 minutes ago, the_philosopher said:

It would actually come down to our relative records against common opponents first if we had the same records against division opponents. (See division tiebreaker rules.) Apologies if you've already calculated that our records against common opponents would be the same on this scenario.

We can at least be very clear that on the OP's scenario, the Falcons would DEFINITELY win the tiebreaker over us, since (after beating the Saints) they would have a 4-2 division record compared to our 3-3. Our better conference record would be irrelevant. 

 

I had calculated-since we only played two different games all year (Vikings/Redskins vs Packers/Eagles) and our records were 1-1 and therefore would be the same for the other games, common opponents would not determine.

[t96]

2 hours ago, DaveThePanther2008 said:

That is a tough schedule to win out on but like you I am always optimistic.  

The diehard Panther Fan says Hell Ya.  

The realistic Fan thinks If our line wasn't so AFU I would think it was possible.  

Actually pretty easy after the Seahawks. If we beat them I will gain some hope. A loss obviously guarantees no winning season and no playoffs so Sunday night is the season. But kinda doubt the Falcons lose to the Rams. Would have to hope they lose to the Aints for a scenario like this.