2016-17 Road to the Playoffs

[Bengals GM (Darryl)]

With a 1/4 of the season in the books, the road to the Playoffs are wide-open. It is still at this point anybody's game, despite what appears to be apparent leaders and losers.

A unique feature of this league allows GM's to see their present Playoff Seeding Order throughout the season. (From the "Home" page on MFL (located on the second row of links), simply select "Playoffs" from the third row of provided links to view.)

That said, who are the leaders thus far? *

AFC Conference

Division Leaders

1. Raiders: 3-0
2. Patriots: 3-0
3. Texans: 2-1
4. Browns: 2-1

Wildcard Leaders

5. Chiefs: 3-0
6. Colts: 2-1

NFC Conference

Division Leaders

1. Rams: 3-0
2. Bears: 3-0
3. Saints: 3-0
4. Cowboys: 2-1

Wildcard Leaders

5. Packers: 3-0
6. Panthers: 2-1



* Order is subject to change due to qualifications/penalties.

[Bengals GM (Darryl)]

We've hit the halfway mark of the season. What changes have taken place? Who's given up in this rat race? What teams are going all the way?

AFC Conference

Division Leaders

1. Patriots: 6-0
2. Chiefs: 6-0
3. Texans: 4-2
4. Ravens: 3-3

Wildcard Leaders

5. Bills: 4-2
6. Raiders: 4-2


NFC Conference

Division Leaders

1. Giants: 5-1
2. Saints: 5-1
3. Rams: 5-1
4. Bears: 4-2

Wildcard Leaders

5. Panthers: 4-2
6. Seahawks: 4-2



* Order is subject to change due to qualifications/penalties

[Bengals GM (Darryl)]

In the AFC Conference, only the Baltimore Ravens are pretenders who are currently leading their division in the AFC North. The Cleveland Browns are the clear cut favorites...

AT present, the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs seem to be vying for the #1 and #2 Seed respectively, and are in a great position to go undefeated. That is...unless the Cleveland Browns and/or Oakland Raiders can put a "L" in their column.

Raiders will face off with the Chiefs this week, while the Browns will host the Patriots next week. Other than that their doesn't seem to be another contender to challenge the Chiefs this year and maybe only the Packers left to challenge the Patriots. BUT! Anything is possible!

BTW, the Bills and Raiders are the only teams close enough to challenge the seeding position atm.

MEANWHILE, the NFC Conference contenders are showing up to the battle front!

Giants, Saints and Rams are in contention for the top 2 Seeds thus far, but the Bears, Panthers and Seahawks are not far behind. There could still be a lot of twists in this conference as there are quite a few great match-ups coming down the stretch.

Giants/Redskins
Bears/Panthers
Rams/Seahawks

Still a little wiggle room for those teams that are still in the race to make their way into the top 6!

[Bengals GM (Darryl)]

The regular season is quickly approaching and playoffs are now clearly in the cross-hairs of those who have striven to secure their spot.

To me, it is a bit of comfort to see that most divisions have yet to have a champion declared. This is an indication that despite the few GM's that have basically made no effort to be competitive this year, most of the league has a competitive spirit, which is the strength of any dynasty league, especially one that has survived this long. Truly, we are growing stronger!

Notwithstanding, with only 2 games remaining in the regular season, the race to the playoffs still isn't entirely settled. And as everyone knows...anything is possible. Almost nothing is guaranteed.

Let's start in the NFC...who's in? who's out?

Seems the NFC WEST is hosting the toughest competition. All the teams in this division are above .500 and still in the race for a playoff birth.

The Rams (8-2) currently hold a one game lead over the 49'ers (7-3), who in turn holds a one game lead over both the Seahawks and Cardinals, who are each 6-4. LA, however, lost games to both San Francisco and Arizona, which just happens to be their last two opponents on the season.

49'ers will host the Rams this week, while Seahawks visits the Cardinals. One of the latter faces a possible elimination from contention. Rams can clinch the division title with a win.


Over in the NFC SOUTH it's the Panthers (7-3), Bucs (6-4), Saints (6-4) and Falcons (4-6).

Atlanta is all but eliminated from contention. Meanwhile, Carolina will be visiting the Packers this week, Tampa Bay will host Chicago, and Detroit will be visiting New Orleans. This looks like it could very well come down to the last game of the season to determine a division winner.


NFC NORTH

The Chicago Bears (7-3,) who leads the division by 2 games over the Green Bay Packers (5-5), are one of the teams that has clinched their division title. Even if they should lose their last 2 games of the season, and the Packers win (which would give them a tie in head-2-head), I believe the Division Record tie-breaker gives Bears the win.


NFC EAST

This division will come down to the Giants (6-4) and Redskins (5-5) as the Eagles (3-7) and Cowboys (3-7) are eliminated. The latter however, are in a perfect position to play the role of spoiler.

While the New York Giants currently hold a 1-game lead over the Washington Redskins, the teams are even in head-2-head, and their final 2 games look to be a little more difficult as they face the Raiders this week and the Eagles next week. Redskins, meanwhile, will face the win-less Broncos this week and the Cowboys for their final game. Anybody's game!

[Bengals GM (Darryl)]

Where the Chicago Bears are the only team to have seemingly secured their division title in the NFC, The AFC Conference has only the AFC EAST New England Patriots (10-0) who have secured their division title. They have now claimed their division's title 4 of the previous 5 years of this leagues recorded history.

The AFC EAST was expected to be a battle between 3 great teams, Patriots, Bills and Jets...the Miami Dolphins (2-8) weren't even considered, yet deserve credit for their wins and work towards rebuilding this organisation.

In truth this division did not disappoint, even though the Patriots ran away with it.

The remaining competition in the EAST are the New York Jets (6-4) and the Buffalo Bills (6-4). Both teams are still in the running, but only 1 of them will most likely make it in as the last wildcard...(Not to say that something couldn't happen to any of the other contenders which would allow both of them to get in).

Let's not get confused - both the Jets and the Bills have one remaining game with the Patriots and one with the Dolphins. Jets will host the Patriots at home this week and the Bills will visit the Patriots next week in the season finale!

AFC NORTH

The Cleveland Browns (5-5) is clearly the most talented team in this division. Yet they currently only hold the division lead over the 2nd place Cincinnati Bengals (5-5) through the divisional game tie-breaker. Interestingly, the Bengals in turn maintain their lead over 3rd place Pittsburgh Steelers (5-5) due to the same tie-breaker.

As a result, only the Baltimore Ravens (3-7) are eliminated from this race. Perhaps expectations should be moderately tempered in this race as the Steelers travel to the Browns this week and then to Bengals next week. Ravens are one of the teams that are in a perfect position to play the role of spoilers in this one.


AFC SOUTH

This division is probably more suited to be considered as a division of the future. The Houston Texans (6-4) currently hold 1st place by 2 games over both the Jacksonville Jaguars (4-6) and the Indianapolis Colts (4-6). The Tennessee Titans (0-10), like the Ravens and the Dolphins are the only team eliminated in this division.

What is clear, is that division is not yet decided. Division leader Texans will visit the Colts this week and could clinch the division with a win. Anything short of a win however and this division could possibly come down to the last game, where the Texans will host the Jaguars in this year's season finale.


AFC WEST

Oakland Raiders (8-2) and 2nd place Kansas City Chiefs (8-2) are the only competitors in this division. The San Diego Chargers (4-6) perhaps could of held an outside chance of getting in, but unfortunately the AFC Conference must allow for a division winner in its North and South Division. Notwithstanding, they are eliminated from playoff contention along with the Denver Broncos (0-10), one of only two teams in the league that has failed to post at least a single win this season.

The Chiefs and Raiders have split heads this season, yet Oakland currently leads by way of the divisional tie-breaker in this close race toward the division title. Interestingly, my guess would be that Kansas City has the tougher of the two remaining games on their schedule as they face off with the Eagles (3-7) followed by the Chargers (4-6). Don't be fooled by the record. Both of the teams despite their record have shown they are capable of competing in this league, even if their respective teams are somewhat less talented.

Meanwhile, Raiders are at the New York Giants (6-4) this week, who are trying to fend off the Redskins in their own battle for the title. They seem to have a give-me game against the win-less Broncos in their season finale.

Either way, both of these teams are a win away from securing, if not the division title, then a playoff birth. THIS Battle is far from over.

[Bengals GM (Darryl)]

AFC Conference

Division Leaders

1. Patriots: 11-0
2. Raiders: 9-2
3. Texans: 7-4
4. Browns: 6-5

Wildcard Leaders

5. Chiefs: 9-2
6. Bills: 7-4


Documenting the division leaders this week, I've noticed that nothing has really changed (other than a slight change in seeding order) since the 3rd week was completed, as regards the leaders in the AFC. There were some minor fluctuations along the way, but nothing that was expected to be lasting.

Previously noted, the Patriots were the only team in this conference that has won their division and are the only team in the league that remains undefeated.

This past week they were joined by the Houston Texans (7-4) and Cleveland Browns (6-5), who have now each respectively secured their division title.

As a result, the AFC WEST is the only AFC Conference Division that will come down to the last week of league play between the Oakland Raiders (9-2), who currently occupy the second playoff seed, and the Kansas City Chiefs (9-2), currently the Wildcard leader.

Thus as we enter into the final week of the regular season, Oakland will visit the Denver Broncos (0-11) and Kansas City will be hosting the San Diego Chargers (4-7). Because Oakland holds the division tie-breaker, they only need to win in order to secure the division title. Since the Broncos haven't made any efforts to be competitive this year, the Chiefs could realistically rest their players and will still secure the #5 Seed.

Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills (7-4) currently hold the final Wildcard position. In order to maintain that position they need a win next week against an undefeated Patriots team. Suffering a loss will allow the New York Jets (6-5), who plays the Miami Dolphins (2-9) this week, the opportunity to secure the final playoff spot.

Should the Jets fail to take advantage of that opportunity, the Bills would be in.

[Bengals GM (Darryl)]

NFC Conference

Division Leaders

1. Rams: 9-2
2. Bears: 8-3
3. Saints: 7-4
4. Redskins: 6-5

Wildcard Leaders

5. 49'ers: 7-4
6. Panthers: 7-4


Okay, I'm sure no one is shocked with the seeding order here...that is, with exception to the Saints occupying the division lead... Wait!...

What the

Haha...WHO DAT!...Win or lose the division title, this was a great effort given by Mike this season to compete without a QB.

Notwithstanding the New Orleans Saints (7-4) will host the Carolina Panthers (7-4) at home this upcoming week. This final showdown will decide the division title.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Rams (9-2) have secured their division title to join the Chicago Bears.

The Washington Redskins (6-5) and New York Giants (6-5) are in a position similar to that of the Panthers and Saints. However, rather than play one another in the final game of the season, the Redskins will host the Dallas Cowboys (4-7), whereas the Giants will be visiting the Philadelphia Eagles (3-8).

As we enter into the final game of the season, we find the NFC Conference is a little...okay, a lot more complicated, as there are quite a few ways this thing could play out. Yep, things could indeed get very, very, interesting.

Because the Saints and Panthers must play one other for the division title, the loser will fall to (7-5).

The Seattle Seahawks (7-4) are the next team up. So if Seahawks win this week they'll move into a playoff position. As if that isn't an interesting enough scenario, they'll be hosting the San Francisco 49'ers (7-4), who currently occupy the 5th Seed.

As a result at 7-5, 49'ers would enter into a potential tie-breaker between the loser of the Saints/Panthers game, and the Packers, Giants, Bucs, and Cardinals, who are all currently lying in the cut at 6-5.

And if the Seahawks should lose, 49'ers would retain the 5th seed and the Seahawks enters into the above potential tie-breaker scenario.

Okay...let's recap.

Rams and Bears are in as #1 and #2 Seed either way.

Saints currently have the lead for the division title by tie-breaker over the Panthers (who currently hold the #6 Wildcard), whom they play this week.

Redskins currently have the lead for the division title by tie-breaker over the Giants. Redskins vs. Cowboys and Giants vs. Eagles

49'er are holding the #5 Wildcard and will host the Seahawks who are waiting in the wings.

Other significant games are: Packers vs. Bears - Cardinals vs. Rams - Falcons vs. Bucs

[Bengals GM (Darryl)]

Wow! What an exciting finish to the regular season in what amounted to be a great turn around year for Dynasty NFL GM!

As we await the final scoring adjustments, I'd like to take a moment to thank each and everyone of our GREAT GM's for taking out of your time to BE A PART of this league. To you - and you know who you are - from the oldest to the newest member, this goes beyond just merely taking up space, and I am sincerely grateful for the many differing ways you have contributed to making this league a great forum.

Truly, you are all winners in my book.

Also before moving forward, I think it is important for each of the above mentioned GM's to take a moment and relish in their accomplishments this season. I am confident the owner's of each of your respective teams would be honored to hire you back next season. After all, you've given your cities a team they could be proud to call their own.

Notwithstanding, 12 of our leagues great GM's will now take their team forward to compete for the ultimate title. As many know, whatever successes and/or failures a team has experienced during the regular season, doesn't necessarily carry over into the playoffs. It's a whole new season of its own.

So again thank you and congratulations to you all!

To be continued....

darryl

[Bengals GM (Darryl)]

NOW....

Let's congratulate the top 12 who will go to battle towards...

Dynasty NFL GM Superbowl VI

12 Great Teams, only 1 Ultimate Champion!


Representing the AFC Conference

1) New England Patriots for going undefeated and securing the #1 Seed

2) Oakland Raiders tied with the Kansas City Chiefs in head-2-head but won the Divisional tie-breaker and secured #2 Seed


The above 2 teams enjoy a bye this upcoming week.


Meanwhile here are the upcoming games.

#6 New York Jets will visit the #3 Cleveland Browns

#5 Kansas City Chiefs will visit the #4 Houston Texans



Representing the NFC Conference

1) Los Angeles Rams finished the season with the conference's best record and has secured the #1 Seed

2) Chicago Bears following a game behind the Rams secured the #2 Seed


The above 2 teams enjoy a bye this upcoming week.


Meanwhile here are the upcoming games.

#6 San Francisco 49'ers will visit the #3 Carolina Panthers

#5 Seattle Seahawks will visit the #4 Washington Redskins

[Bengals GM (Darryl)]

As we wish all the teams "good luck" during this season...I thought it would be great to add the recorded series records of each team (over the past 4 of 5 years). I have not distinguished between regular season and playoff games.


#6 San Francisco 49'ers will visit the #3 Carolina Panthers - 49'ers lead series 3-1

#5 Seattle Seahawks will visit the #4 Washington Redskins - This is the first meeting between these teams

#6 New York Jets will visit the #3 Cleveland Browns - Jets lead series 1-0

#5 Kansas City Chiefs will visit the #4 Houston Texans - Texans lead series 2-0

[Bengals GM (Darryl)]

Moving forward into the Divisional Round - Congratulations to the 49'ers - Seahawks - Jets - Texans!

The games don't get any easier...so good luck to all participants.

DIVISIONAL ROUND

NFC Conference

#6 San Francisco 49'ers will now visit the #1 Los Angeles Rams - Series Record 5-5

#5 Seattle Seahawks will visit the #2 Chicago Bears - Seahawks lead series 2-1

AFC Conference

#6 New York Jets will visit the #1 New England Patriots - Patriots lead series 10-0

#4 Houston Texans will visit the #2 Oakland Raiders - Raiders lead series 2-1

[Bengals GM (Darryl)]

The Divisional Round of the playoffs saw the...

49'ers defeat the Rams - Bears over Seahawks

Patriots defeat the Jets - Raiders over Texans


Which set up the Conference Round

Raiders v. Patriots

and

49'ers v. Bears


Patriots defeated the Raiders in a relatively close game and are on the way to their second consecutive Superbowl.

Meanwhile, the Quarterback-less Bears defeated the 49'ers to advance to their first Superbowl appearance.

So here we go guys...this is it!...Bragging rights on the line!

Dynasty NFL GM Superbowl VI

Bears v. Patriots...good luck guys!

[Deleted]

Daniel and the Patriots have won the league's title as injuries caught up to us towards the end of the year and weakened our chances of winning against a very strong team.

Congrats to Daniel and everyone for making this season as special as the others. I want to see someone new in the championship next year!

Without further to do, Let's begin the offseason!

[Bengals GM (Darryl)]

Dec 27, 2016 5:39:18 GMT @vikes16sb said:

Daniel and the Patriots have won the league's title as injuries caught up to us towards the end of the year and weakened our chances of winning against a very strong team.

Congrats to Daniel and everyone for making this season as special as the others. I want to see someone new in the championship next year!

Without further to do, Let's begin the offseason!

Congrats to the both of you for a season well played!


And although I've witnessed this scenario being set-up this year, I didn't think it possible.

Super congrats to Dynasty NFL GM Superbowl V & VI REPEAT Champion...New England Patriots!!!

Back-to-back undefeated seasons - will there be a challenge to this madness?...Well done Champ!