<![CDATA[Tie Breakers]]>Needless to say, the permutations of the playoff tie breaker system as it applies to the numerous AFC teams that are in contention would nigh on impossible to document at this point:

Suffice to say that the Colts/Chargers/Bengals/Pats have either definitely, or all but definitely won their divisions.

The Broncos and Ravens merely need to win out to make the wild card with their 8-6 records, but with 6 other team yapping at their heels with 7-7 records, any stumble could cost either of them their spot.

Note this however: Even if the Steelers defeat the Ravens on Sunday, the Ratbirds will STILL have the tiebreaker edge on the Squealers, as a Raven loss will mean those two teams will both then be 8-7, they will have spilt the season series, BUT

the Ravens will still hold the tiebreaker edge because their division record will be better: 3-3 vs. the AFC North compared to 2-4 vs. the AFC North for the Steelers.

If the Ravens/Steelers and third team from another are tied for a playoff spot, the Ravens will still hold the edge over the Steelers due to a superior AFC conference record: 6-5 compared to 5-6.

The current Conference Records of all the Wild Card contenders are as follows:

Ravens 6-4

Jags 6-4

Broncos 6-5

Dolphins 5-5

Jets 5-5

Texans 4-6

Steelers 4-6

Titans 4-7

Here are the remaining games for these various teams. There will be numerous "showdown" games between them, plus against the other "division" winner teams previously identified:

Dolphins: home to Houston; home to Pittsburgh

Jets: @Indianapolis; home to Cincinnati

Ravens: @ Pittsburgh; @ Oakland

Steelers: home to Baltimore, @ Miami

Jaguars: @ New England, @ Cleveland

Titans: home to San Diego, @ Seattle

Texans: @Miami, home to New England

Denver: @Philadelphia; home to Kansas City

On the Steelers, they would have been far,far better off beating the Browns and losing to the Packers. On the Ravens, it really seems that the Steelers game could be superfluous to them as long as they beat the Raiders.

A question will come up as to how much effort the likes of Indy, Philly, and San Diego will put in, having secured their playoff positions. (Remember a few years back when the Colts played all their second stringers and gave little effort in losing a game where if they had won the Browns would have made the playoffs....don't expect these team to show a ton of integrity, though in Indy's case here, it could make a difference if they are trying for the undefeated season.)

]]>https://brownsboard.com/topic/9422/tie-breakersRSS for NodeThu, 01 Oct 2026 04:50:58 GMTWed, 23 Dec 2009 21:22:04 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Tie Breakers on Thu, 24 Dec 2009 16:13:01 GMT]]>

@d531 said:

I figured it out... The Steelers might have a prayer of actually making it if the Browns didn't just OWN them 2 weeks ago 😉

Right, the Browns almost literally put a dagger into the Steelers heart of a chance to make the playoffs.

That miracle comeback against Green Bay was possibly only a cupful of water to a man dying of thirst.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/147107https://brownsboard.com/post/147107Thu, 24 Dec 2009 16:13:01 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tie Breakers on Thu, 24 Dec 2009 16:09:48 GMT]]>

@pumpkin-eater said:

well all that really needs to happen is for the ravens to beat the Squeelers. that gives the Ravens a wildcard spot and eliminates the Steelfags.

True, but it would be nice if they both got knocked out. If it is pretty certain that the Steelers are out (which it is given the mathematics) and it takes a Steeler win over the Ravens to knock the Ravens out, I think I gotta be hopin' the Steelers win so that they both get to stay home.

Is this wrongheaded thinking? It doesn't feel right to say "I hope the Steelers win". But for the Ratbirds to get f***ed as well, isn't this what has to happen?

Do any of you Steeler fans take solace that I may want you to win Sunday?

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/147106https://brownsboard.com/post/147106Thu, 24 Dec 2009 16:09:48 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tie Breakers on Thu, 24 Dec 2009 10:30:36 GMT]]>

@bigsteelerfanhere said:

well one thing is clear. The Steelers are still in it and the Browns well... they aren't .. go figure it out..

I figured it out... The Steelers might have a prayer of actually making it if the Browns didn't just OWN them 2 weeks ago 😉

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/147062https://brownsboard.com/post/147062Thu, 24 Dec 2009 10:30:36 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tie Breakers on Thu, 24 Dec 2009 09:34:05 GMT]]>

@bigsteelerfanhere said:

well one thing is clear. The Steelers are still in it and the Browns well... they aren't .. go figure it out..

The Steelers are still mathematically in it troll. Assuming you win out (I don't think so) you still need the Ravens, Broncos, & Jags to lose out, and Miami, the Jets, and Texans all have to lose once. Hate to bust your bubble, but it ain't happening.

But don't worry the Ravens are going to kick your ass to the curb Sunday anyway.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/147061https://brownsboard.com/post/147061Thu, 24 Dec 2009 09:34:05 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tie Breakers on Wed, 23 Dec 2009 23:53:38 GMT]]>

@bigsteelerfanhere said:

well one thing is clear. The Steelers are still in it and the Browns well... they aren't .. go figure it out..

bigsteelerfanhere = big chief little d*ck

steelfags

shittsburgh squealers

and the list goes on...

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/146988https://brownsboard.com/post/146988Wed, 23 Dec 2009 23:53:38 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tie Breakers on Wed, 23 Dec 2009 22:22:00 GMT]]>well one thing is clear. The Steelers are still in it and the Browns well... they aren't .. go figure it out..

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/146960https://brownsboard.com/post/146960Wed, 23 Dec 2009 22:22:00 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tie Breakers on Wed, 23 Dec 2009 22:18:40 GMT]]>well all that really needs to happen is for the ravens to beat the Squeelers. that gives the Ravens a wildcard spot and eliminates the Steelfags.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/146958https://brownsboard.com/post/146958Wed, 23 Dec 2009 22:18:40 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Tie Breakers on Wed, 23 Dec 2009 22:12:17 GMT]]>

Zombo said:

AFC is going to be one gynormous klusterphuck going into the last game.

Zombo

Which would make it kinda fun.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/146952https://brownsboard.com/post/146952Wed, 23 Dec 2009 22:12:17 GMT