LA Chargers: Predicting the final 6 weeks for each AFC team in the playoff picture
By Jason Reed
Predicting the final record of the AFC teams with a .500+ record:
5. Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are right there with the LA Chargers as one of the most volatile offensive teams in the league. That being said, while they do not have a good defense, they do not have the same massive holes that the Chargers have in the run defense and in Tevaughn Campbell.
The 7-4 Bengals have some tough games that will test them. After the Chargers they have the 49ers, Broncos, Ravens, Chiefs and Browns. I have them beating the Chargers, Broncos and Browns and finishing with a 10-7 record.
6. Buffalo Bills:
The Bills have been a weird team to watch this season but they still have a 7-4 record with a big win over the Kansas City Chiefs. Buffalo's defense has also played extremely well, however, they haven't played the best teams and Tre'Davious White is out for the rest of the year.
I have the Bills splitting with the Patriots and losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They will be able to take care of the Panthers, Jets and Falcons. The Bills, too, will finish with an 11-6 record.
7. Denver Broncos
While the Denver Broncos beat the LA Chargers in Week 12 I am still not sold on their prospects of being a playoff team. They will lose both games to the Chiefs and lose to both the Raiders and the Chargers to finish with a 2-6 divisional record, which seems fair given their status.
Their only remaining win on the schedule will be against the winless Detroit Lions, giving the Broncos a 7-10 record at the end of the season.
8. Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders are a very similar team to the LA Chargers, as much as that might hurt a Chargers fan to admit. The Raiders have had games where they are thoroughly outplayed and look awful and then they have had games where they beat really good teams and look awesome. Both the Raiders and Chargers have a negative point differential as well.
I have Vegas beating the Broncos to sweep them and beating the Bolts to split with them. They will lose to the Chiefs, Browns (in Cleveland) and Colts while beating the Washington Football Team to finish with a 9-8 record.