2019 Midseason Special: Who's Going to the Playoffs?

Written by Sam DeCoste


The NFL regular season is already half over! And with that, we have a much better idea of who the true competitors are this season, and who stands a shot at making it to the playoffs. Some teams are obvious locks, like the Patriots or 49ers, but there are other spots up for grabs, including Wild Card spots, first round byes, and the NFC East title. 

So who will claim the 12 coveted playoff spots when it's all said and done? Let's find out! To remind you of my preseason predictions, take a visit and see what I thought back before Week 1 and see how things have (slightly) changed. 

AFC

1. New England Patriots (15-1)

Believe it or not, the Patriots dynasty did not die in Baltimore on Sunday night. The Patriots are still the dominant force in the AFC, and they will not face a tough daunting enough to keep them from clinching home field advantage. While the upcoming stretch of games looks challenging on paper, with games against the Eagles, Cowboys, Chiefs, and Texans, the Patriots will not lose more than one of these contests, and they will coast to the number one seed. 

While the receiving corps have been banged up this year, N'Keal Harry will be introduced to the offense very soon, and will provide an explosive playmaking element which is lacking in the current version of the Patriots offense. The offense has been the second best unit for New England this year, mostly because the defense has been historically dominant on their opponents. The Pats offense is struggling compared to previous seasons, but November and December are where their season begins. They will play better down stretch, and be a formidable opponent in January just like always. Good luck stopping this team.

2. Baltimore Ravens (12-4)

Lamar Jackson and the Ravens are transforming NFL offense in 2019 with their ground and pound scheme. They average 152 yards per game on the run, which is second best in the NFL this season. Defenses do not know how to stop Lamar Jackson and his legs, and that will continue to be a problem down the stretch for Ravens opponents. However, Baltimore is about to face stiff competition in November and December, including the Texans, Rams, 49ers, and Bills. They will be facing top caliber defenses that will prove to be another litmus test to see if they can run the ball closer to playoff time.

From the very start of the season, the Ravens opened up as a runaway favorite to win the AFC North with the injuries in Pittsburgh and the mediocrity in Cleveland, and they will coast to their second consecutive division title. However, we could witness a similar downfall in the playoffs as last year if the Ravens don't help Lamar Jackson throw the ball on a consistent basis. Until he beats a team with his arm, I won't believe it until I see it.

3. Kansas City Chiefs (11-5)

Not many experts expected a down start to the season for the Chiefs, but the team does not have the same mojo as they did last year. Even before the Mahomes injury, the Chiefs were 4-2, and suffered ugly home losses to the Colts and Texans, and their rushing defense was exploited. The Chiefs defense cost the team a trip to the Super Bowl last season, and it. Ould potentially lead to an earlier playoff exit this time around. When Mahomes comes back, the Chiefs are hoping that the offense will rediscover their rhythm and score 40 points a game again. But it's not that easy, and their schedule stiffens up from here. The Chiefs face the Chargers twice as well as the Pats and Bears on the road before the turn of the decade.

This would be the time for an AFC West opponent to step in and capitalize on Kansas City's struggles, but it has been a down year in the division. The Chiefs will win the AFC West, but clinching a first round bye is going to be difficult. They will play in Arrowhead on Wild Card Weekend, and watch the Super Bowl on the couch once again. 

4. Indianapolis Colts (10-6)

Most of us wrote the Colts off after the abrupt retirement of Andrew Luck, the face of the franchise and a prolific young quarterback. His void would leave a hole at the team's most vital position, and deflate the entire Colts franchise. But somehow, after seven years with Andrew Luck, the Colts are playing better football this year, and their peak level of play has been better than any season Luck was still on the roster. Brissett, while not the game changer Luck ever was, has been efficient and has made plays when the team called for them. His ankle injury does not appear to be severe enough to keep out for substantial time, which is crucial for the trajectory of the Colts during the final stretch. The health for Brissett, as well as banged up wideout T.Y. Hilton are vital for the playoff hopes the Colts have, because their phenomenal start to the season could easily fizzle out if the injuries begin to affect their games.

Sitting at 5-3, the Colts still play the Dolphins, Titans, Buccaneers, Panthers, and Jaguars twice, with a crucial Week 12 rematch with the Texans. The Texans game should decide the winner of the AFC South, and who will be playing at home for the postseason. But the Colts already have a head to head edge over the Texans, and head coach Frank Reich has orchestrated an amazing campaign for Indianapolis this season. The Colts are the most complete team in the south, and they should win their first division crown since 2014. 

5. Buffalo Bills (10-6)

The Bills have a lot of critics despite their record, because their strength of schedule has been remarkably weak. Their wins have come against six teams with a combined record of 8-34. They are still looking for a signature win, and they will have a chance to earn it against the likes of Dallas, Baltimore, and another shot at New England. Apart from those games, the Bills face the Browns and Broncos, with rematches against the Jets and Dolphins. 

The strength of the Bills has been and will continue to be their passing defense, but lately their rushing defense has been exposed against low caliber rushing teams. In the same stretch however, Josh Allen has improved his game, is completing his passes with higher accuracy, and is not turning the ball over. Allen has been an efficient game manager. But Allen has the arm and the talent to be a game changer, and if he can add that element to his game, the Bills will be a whole lot more explosive. The Bills may be unproven, but they are better than their opponents this season, and they will be playing on Wild Card Weekend. No question.

6. Houston Texans (10-6)

Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson is leading the Texans to another breakout season, and he has emerged as a candidate right in the thick of a wide open MVP race. He has already thrown 18 touchdown passes to just 5 interceptions, and he has elevated the franchise ever since taking over under center. On defense, the season ending injury to JJ Watt is a game changer for the playoff picture, because his absence exploits a gaping weakness on the Texans defense. Opposing quarterbacks are going to be substantially more comfortable in the pocket without Watt on the other side, and the secondary will need to cover in the back end for longer without as lethal of a pass rush. 

The schedule is not pretty for the Texans, as they still have to play the Ravens and Patriots, along with three division games from Week 12 on. The Texans are playing second fiddle to the Colts in the standings today, but they will have the opportunity head to head, as well as matchups with the Titans to climb up in the division standings. The Texans ultimately control their own destiny, but whether or not they can capitalize is questionable. Deshaun Watson is certainly capable of carrying the team on his back, but the roster may not be strong enough for them to support him. They should return to the playoffs, but will make another first round exit like last year.

NFC

1. New Orleans Saints (14-2)

Once Drew Brees went down with a wrist injury, I thought the Saints' season was over. But in relief of Brees, understudy Teddy Bridgewater and the Saints didn't miss a beat, and were undefeated. Sitting at 7-1 and alone atop the NFC South guarantees New Orleans another home playoff game, and they could be poised to retain home field throughout the playoffs if their pace continues. The key date for the Saints is December 8, a pivotal Week 14 clash against the currently undefeated San Francisco 49ers. This game could prove to decide where the road to the Super Bowl will run in the NFC, and the Saints will be at home for this game. 

The Saints appeared destined to regress this season, and the team easily could have quit when Brees went down. But they rallied around Teddy Bridgewater, and now with Brees back, the Saints look better than ever. This team may be better than the team which went 13-3 last season, and may still be the team to beat in the NFC. To any team which has to play in the Superdome going forward: Godspeed.

2. San Francisco 49ers (14-2)

At the midseason mark, the San Francisco 49ers stand alone as the lone undefeated team left in football, just like all of us saw coming. While the Niners have had a prolific start to a season, their best mark since 1990, but the competition will pick up astronomically the rest of the way. The 49ers still have to match up with the Packers, Ravens, Saints, Rams, and Seahawks twice. However, they still play 5 more home games at Levi's Stadium, which will give them a boost to play in front of their own fans. They will match up well with their opponents as well, considering they have the best defense in football after 8 games. They allow under 250 yards per game this year, and fewer than 140 yards in the air, which is an unreal feat to accomplish in such a pass heavy era of the league.

The division is San Francisco's to lose, but three head to head meetings remaining with Seattle and Los Angeles poses an opportunity for them to fall behind. That being said, there is a reason that the 49ers still have a perfect record, and they should finish 2019 strong. The Saints game will be pivotal to deciding home field, and I predict they will fall short in that contest, which would grant New Orleans the number one seed. But the Niners will clinch the division, and a first round bye, and could easily be on a plane to Miami in late January.

3. Green Bay Packers (12-4)

After a two year period of dormancy, the Packers are finally back, and it is all because of the play of Aaron Rodgers. The two time MVP did not look like the same player due to injuries and poor coaching, but with rookie head coach Matt LeFleur calling the shots,  Rodgers is playing like his vintage self. His 17 touchdown passes to just 2 interceptions all season are his standard MVP numbers, and his play will only pick up in November and December.

With three games versus NFC North opposition, the Packers control their own destiny in the division and could claim their first division title since 2016 if they can take care of their own business. Sitting at 7-2, their chances of claiming a first round bye are not as high as the Saints or 49ers, but Green Bay has a Week 12 clash with San Francisco, which could turn top of the NFC completely upside down if the Packers are able to win. Green Bay has everything right in front of them, but in a power heavy NFC this year, the Packers may have to settle for the three seed, and an appearance on Wild Card Weekend.

4. Philadelphia Eagles (10-6)

The fourth seed in the NFC will most likely come down to the winner of the NFC East, which is between the Eagles and Cowboys. While the Eagles have struggled to find their identity this year, and getting off to fast starts, this team is built to win late in the season. Carson Wentz is one of the most dynamic young quarterbacks in the game, and he has his most explosive running game since being drafted by the Eagles, with the rookie Miles Sanders quickly rising up the ranks and Jordan Howard making plays as well. The season ending surgery to DeSean Jackson is a devastating loss for the Eagles, but they have played without him virtually all season already, which will hardly make a difference in their offense going forward.

The Eagles end the season with a stream of easy games, including the Dolphins, Redskins, and Giants twice, with another showdown against the Cowboys in Week 16. If the division comes down to the game in Week 16, the Eagles should be considered favorites because they will be playing in front of their own fans at Lincoln Financial, and this is the point in which we typically witness the Dallas Cowboys capitulate. It won't be pretty, but the Philadelphia Eagles will recapture the NFC East and return to the playoffs for the third straight year.

5. Seattle Seahawks (12-4)

Thanks to a superhuman year from star quarterback Russell Wilson, the Seattle Seahawks are poised for a second straight postseason appearance. Wilson is far and away the best quarterback in football this season with a touchdown to interception ratio of 22 to 1, which is outstanding for any quarterback this far into a football season. He is playing the best ball of his career, and it has transcended the Seahawks to an overachieving record thus far in 2019. Not to mention the Seahawks are explosive on offense with Cris Carson, DK Metcalf, the incoming Josh Gordon, Tyler Lockett, who is quickly becoming one of the premier receivers in the NFL.

So far this season, the Seahawks are unbeaten away from Seattle at 4-0, with crucial matchups to come in San Francisco, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and Carolina. The Seahawks have the experience and the ability to beat anybody in this league, and it shows in their fast start already to the season. With the top caliber play from MVP candidate Russell Wilson, and Pete Carroll coaching the team, the Seahawks should be back in the playoffs. 

6. Los Angeles Rams (12-4)

The midseason acquisition of Jalen Ramsey saved the Rams season. No question about it. The Rams defense under Wade Phillips has been a pushover for three seasons, and it was beginning to finally undermine the Rams winning ways. With Jalen Ramsey in the defensive fold, LA has two All-Pro caliber talents, including pass rusher Aaron Donald, which bolsters the swagger and personality of the defense. It will be even harder to game plan against the Rams with the superstars playing defense, to complement one of the league's most productive offenses. 

A third straight NFC West crown looks like a long shot at this point, with the Rams already three games behind the 49ers at midseason, but the Rams are a better squad than most of their opponents, and Sean McVay is still an elite NFL head coach. The Rams have the talent and the playoff experience to pull over the line and return to the playoffs. And come playoff time, nobody will want to face the reigning NFC champs.