As the NFL regular season enters its final stretch, one question remains on every football fan's mind: who will make it to the playoffs and who won't. Senior NFL reporter Jori Epstein and former Buffalo Bills coach Phoebe Schecter have weighed in on this crucial issue.
First off, there are a handful of teams that seem all but guaranteed to secure a spot in the postseason. The Kansas City Chiefs, led by the explosive Patrick Mahomes, sit atop the AFC with an impressive 11-2 record. Their firepower and depth make them the clear favorites to win Super Bowl LVIII. The Buffalo Bills, Schecter's former team, are hot on their heels, boasting a 10-3 mark and a stout defense.
In the NFC, the Philadelphia Eagles appear poised to take the top seed in the East with a 10-4 record. Their vaunted defense and star-studded offense make them a formidable opponent. The Los Angeles Rams, meanwhile, are looking strong after posting an impressive 9-5 mark despite injuries to key players.
However, not everyone is as fortunate. Some teams that were once considered playoff contenders now find themselves in danger of missing out entirely. The New England Patriots, once perennial powerhouses, have stumbled to a 6-7 record and appear unlikely to sneak into the postseason. The Miami Dolphins, meanwhile, have been decimated by injuries and now sit at 5-8.
Other teams, such as the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks, are still in the mix, but their playoff hopes remain tenuous. A series of close losses has dropped them both to below .500, putting a significant strain on their postseason bids.
As the final stretch approaches, only time will tell which teams will ultimately secure spots in the playoffs. With several key games still remaining, anything can happen. But one thing is certain: only the strongest teams will make it through to the next round and fight for that elusive championship.
First off, there are a handful of teams that seem all but guaranteed to secure a spot in the postseason. The Kansas City Chiefs, led by the explosive Patrick Mahomes, sit atop the AFC with an impressive 11-2 record. Their firepower and depth make them the clear favorites to win Super Bowl LVIII. The Buffalo Bills, Schecter's former team, are hot on their heels, boasting a 10-3 mark and a stout defense.
In the NFC, the Philadelphia Eagles appear poised to take the top seed in the East with a 10-4 record. Their vaunted defense and star-studded offense make them a formidable opponent. The Los Angeles Rams, meanwhile, are looking strong after posting an impressive 9-5 mark despite injuries to key players.
However, not everyone is as fortunate. Some teams that were once considered playoff contenders now find themselves in danger of missing out entirely. The New England Patriots, once perennial powerhouses, have stumbled to a 6-7 record and appear unlikely to sneak into the postseason. The Miami Dolphins, meanwhile, have been decimated by injuries and now sit at 5-8.
Other teams, such as the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks, are still in the mix, but their playoff hopes remain tenuous. A series of close losses has dropped them both to below .500, putting a significant strain on their postseason bids.
As the final stretch approaches, only time will tell which teams will ultimately secure spots in the playoffs. With several key games still remaining, anything can happen. But one thing is certain: only the strongest teams will make it through to the next round and fight for that elusive championship.
. I mean, back in my day, we didn't have all these fancy injuries and whatnot. Teams would just play through pain and get the job done. Nowadays, it's like they're all worried about their egos and their precious players' health 
. And don't even get me started on these "explosive" quarterbacks... I mean, give me a good ol' fashioned arm cannon like Vinny Testaverde any day of the week 
. And what's with all these teams that can't seem to stay above .500? It's like they're playing a different game or something 
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! Their offense is straight fire 
, and Patrick Mahomes is a beast on the field. The Bills are close, but I'm not sure if they can keep up with the Chiefs' firepower 
. On the other side of the coin, teams like the Patriots and Dolphins gotta step it up if they wanna make the playoffs 
. One thing's for sure, it's gonna be a wild ride in the final stretch 
!
and I'm still trying to get over the stunning sunsets on the beach... anyway, speaking of sports, have you guys tried that new fantasy football league with the weekly cash prizes? I mean, it's a total rush, but also super stressful when your team is losing 
. On a completely unrelated note, I've been meaning to try my hand at making homemade pasta from scratch – anyone got any good recipes to share?
. Just like these teams, some of us may start the journey with all the right pieces in place, but injuries, setbacks, and unexpected twists can knock us off course 
. Meanwhile, other teams might seem like they're lagging behind, but with a bit of grit and determination, they can still find a way to make it through 
. What matters most is how we respond to challenges, learn from our mistakes, and keep pushing forward 
I mean, who gets hurt, loses their star QB or something, and suddenly they're out of playoff contention? It's like the world's against them 
. The Bills were doing so great last season, now they're just trying to keep up with the Chiefs... 
. And don't even get me started on the Patriots... I mean, what happened to Tom Brady and all that? 
). The playoffs are always so unpredictable, but I'm rooting for the underdogs to pull off some major upsets 
!
Injuries gotta be tough, but they've still got some talented players on their team. Can't wait to see who makes it to Super Bowl LVIII! 
I'm loving how intense this NFL season is getting! The Chiefs are looking unstoppable with Patrick Mahomes at the helm, but I think the Bills are gonna give 'em a run for their money 
- their defense is on point and that offense is pure magic 
. Meanwhile, those Dolphins need to get some key players back ASAP or it's bye-bye playoffs 
. And can someone please explain what happened to the 49ers? One minute they're on top of the world, next they're struggling 
. Still got my eye on the Rams too - they've shown some crazy resilience 
. The 49ers and Seahawks are still in it, but they're gotta win out if they wanna make it 
. The Rams are looking strong, but those injuries have gotta be taking a toll on them 
meanwhile the ones who are actually trying 
still have to deal with injuries and close losses 
idk about you but i think a team having a good record doesn't necessarily mean they're gonna make it to the super bowl lol 
. The Eagles are looking good too 
. They're still in it, but it's getting intense 
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. On the other hand, it's a bit surprising to see the Patriots struggling like this... they've been through so much and have such a rich history of success 