The Regular Season Standings
Based on the earlier predictions for the
AFC and
NFC, the image above should give some idea of what to expect for the playoffs, including two new division champions, four new entries to the playoff picture, and a notable dip into the wild card round for the reigning champs, the New England Patriots. That, of course, is not to suggest the Patriots don't have a chance of winning. Of course they do. With Brady in the driving is possible, but there is a degree of uncertainty over how they'll cope without him during the first four games. It would be naive to say they'll struggle miserably with Jimmy Garoppolo in the pocket instead of Brady, but his absence would be felt by any team. The Chargers and Dolphins will have fought off some awkward AFC competition from the likes of the Bills and Texans to secure their wild card slots, while the Steelers could also miss out on the playoffs this time around. In the NFC, the Cowboys will narrowly lose out to the Eagles for the East and have to settle for the wild card round alongside a very exciting Minnesota Vikings team led by Teddy Bridgewater, with the St. Louis Rams just missing out on the playoffs in a weakened NFC. Now for the matchups...