|
2005
NFL AFC Preview & Forecast
|
| Who
will make it to the playoffs in the AFC? Using a Super Computer,
the StatShark simulation engine has played all regular season
games 10,000 times each. Because quality of teams varies greatly
within and between conferences, the best NFL teams are
not necessarily the ones with the best odds of making the playoffs.
StatShark's value is in showing how a team's performance within
their conference and division translates to play-off contention. During each simulated season the super computer has tabulated the number of times that each team made the playoffs either as a division winner or as a wild-card. In the event of a tie StatShark reviews the record the tying teams had vs. each other and their conference records. In a small number of cases the tie-breaker rules were inconclusive. StatShark has also tabulated the number of victories each team had in each simulation. The second table below shows the exact probability that each team has of winning anywhere from 16 victories down to 0 victories. |
PROBABILITY
OF REACHING 2005 NFL PLAYOFFS (AFC)
PROBABILITY
- NUMBER OF GAMES WON 2005
Forecast Data Provided by: StatShark
Free
NFL Picks with detailed
analysis for the 2005 season |
AFC
EAST
NEW ENGLAND
STATSHARK ANALYST: This team excels in both tangible areas and the intangibles. While they lost long-time assistant coaches, the system and players remain and there is no doubt that this team is positioned for another run at the Super Bowl.
SPORTS DOG: They face some tough competition this year so don't be
shocked if their win total drops a tad from last year. New England is a good
team that plays great. Chalk it up to Belichick or team chemistry or whatever
you want.
NY JETS
STATSHARK ANALYST: A solid division contender whose chances for Playoff
success could hinge on whether Curtis Martin can not only come close to last
year's performance, but also stay healthy (quality backup Lamont Jordan is
in OAK). In simulations where Curtis Martin was injured the NY Jets odds
of winning the division or making the Playoffs plunged.
SPORTS DOG: The Jets look poised to make a move this year although they will have their hands full trying to unseat division champ New England. A healthy Pennington will help but a big key this year is if Curtis Martin can still carry the load.
BUFFALO
STATSHARK ANALYST: While JP Losman is an untested QB, the team's strengths
(defense, rushing) provide Buffalo with a 10% chance of winning the division.
If this team were in the NFC they would probably be the 3rd or 4th best team
in the conference.
SPORTS DOG: A good mix of talent and depth but always missing a few
key pieces. Bledsoe clearly wasn't the answer but he didn't get a lot of
help in pass protection either. Drew knows sacks better than a clerk at the
local market.
MIAMI
STATSHARK ANALYST: StatShark has not included Ricky Williams in the
Miami simulations because the terms of his return are not finalized. Even
if he returns and plays significantly, do not expect Miami's season forecast
to change very much. Scoring and handicapping lines will be impacted, but
not overall post-season performance.
SPORTS DOG: Miami is going to have a rough time all year. Their defense is nothing like what it once was and their offense. Well. Never mind.
Free
NFL Picks with detailed
analysis for the 2005 season |
AFC NORTH
BALTIMORE
STATSHARK ANALYST: Not surprisingly, this Pro-Bowl laden team is at
the top of the Division given StatShark's emphasis on tangible performance.
Last year they were without a legit #1 or #2 WR suffered injuries / suspensions
to Jamal Lewis and Todd Heap. With these healthy returns and the addition
of WRs Derrick Mason, and Mark Clayton Baltimore is poised to take this Division,
even without tremendous improvement by Kyle Boller.
SPORTS DOG: Will the real Kyle Boller please stand up. The Ravens
are gearing their entire offensive scheme around the abilities of Boller.
That would either payoff in spades or if Kyle fails to produce, make for
a very frustrating season. The Ravens have proven they can run the ball
but without a solid passing attack to balance it out, they could be in
trouble. The acquisition of free agents like Mason and the healthy return
of Heap should give Kyle the weapons he needs to succeed.
PITTSBURGH
STATSHARK ANALYST: Their #2 finish in Division Winner % is not due
to any decline in performance, but more reflective of the additions Baltimore
made. Ultimately, expect a neck and neck race with the winner of the Division
depending on head-to-head performance.
SPORTS DOG: The Steelers look poised make the Play-Offs. Last year
was certainly well above expectations but I am not sure they can repeat
last year's Cinderella story. Look for them to be in the hunt at the end
of the season but slightly below last year's results.
CINCINNATI
STATSHARK ANALYST: An improving team whose upside (possibility of
winning more than their average of 8) is bigger than their downside. StatShark
expects steady improvement from Carson Palmer. Rapid improvement could take
this team to the next level and create a 3 team race for the Division.
SPORTS DOG: Year three of Marvin Lewis has the Bengals full of hope.
I swear I have written this before. Several times before. Will this season
be different' Hard for me to buy in on improvement when Cincy still has
among the worst ownership in the league. Yet, a strong rushing game and
burgeoning passing attack with Johnson and Johnson give the hope some credence.
CLEVELAND
STATSHARK ANALYST: Frankly surprised by their winning 0.8% of simulated
seasons. That's almost a 100 to 1 shot.
SPORTS DOG: Tough team to call, not in terms of whether they will
win or lose (they will lose, a lot), but whether they will keep games close
and beat the point spread. Not sure how a great new coach, Romeo Crennell,
can possibly turn this team around by himself when you have injuries to
Kellen Winslow, Trent Dilfer starting, and your three best players all
playing the same position (RB Lee Suggs, Reuben Droughns, William Green).
Free
NFL Picks with detailed
analysis for the 2005 season |
AFC SOUTH
INDIANAPOLIS
STATSHARK ANALYST: High power offense that shows no signs of letting
up. Even if Peyton Manning "only" throws for 40 TDs this team should
cruise to a Division win.
SPORTS DOG: It doesn't look like anyone can stop Indy from breezing
into a division title. The only thing that remains is if Indy can secure
a bye and home field advantage. Both are highly probably with their only
tests being New England and San Diego. Once they hit the playoffs, that's
a whole other story all together.
TENNESSEE
STATSHARK ANALYST: Slight favorite for #2 position. By pre-season's
end, StatShark will carefully assess if Norm Chow institutes radically different
offensive schemes than currently anticipated. Player statistics can be impacted,
by radical changes, but do not expect significant improvement to the team's
chances of qualifying for the Play-Offs.
SPORTS DOG: Steve McNair is aging and watching Volek over his shoulder.
Emerging running star Brown should provide a boost to the offense but the
loss of Mason will hurt.
HOUSTON
STATSHARK ANALYST: David Carr has made steady improvement every year
and it will be most interesting to see if his comp% continues to improve
as his int% goes down. Even with overall team improvement it is hard to envision
how this team could win more than 8 games in the competitive AFC.
SPORTS DOG: Since entering the league, the Texans have not been
able to put all the pieces together. Dom Capers was brought in after electrifying
the Panthers quickly but he has not been able to repeat that success. A
defensive genius, he has not been able to overcome a lack of talent on
either side of the ball. Davis proves again that he can carry the load
but an inconstant Carr and so-so receivers make Houston primed to be a
close disappointment yet again.
JACKSONVILLE
STATSHARK ANALYST: Tremendous parity in this division when excluding
front-runner, Indianapolis. It will be tough for the team to meet last year's
9-7 record.
SPORTS DOG: I know that you will find this hard to believe but Fred
Taylor is injured! I really thought he had put that behind him since he
finally put together back to back injury-free seasons. The defense is not
as good as experts were claiming half way through last season and they
don't put points on the board. A "poor man's" Baltimore Ravens
equals a below average team.
Free
NFL Picks with detailed
analysis for the 2005 season |
AFC WEST
DENVER
STATSHARK ANALYST: Statistically one of the best teams - great running
system, potent passing, and a top rated defense. For whatever reason, they
flop against IND in the Play-Offs. The fact that the team doesn't live up
to tangible expectations is why 2-time super bowl winning coach, Mike Shanahan,
is on the hot seat.
SPORTS DOG: Not unlike Charlie Brown waiting for the Great Pumpkin;
I am still waiting for Jake Plummer to be the 2nd coming of Joe Montana
as predicted by Bill Walsh. Waiting. Jake has the tool and the talent but
get under his skin and he'll heave up picks at key times over and over
again.
SAN DIEGO
STATSHARK ANALYST: The team came out of nowhere last year, but it
was not like several years ago when the Chicago Bears went 13 and 3. This
team has real talent and even though they have a tough schedule, they have
a good chance at winning the AFC West and a better chance of qualifying for
the Post-Season.
SPORTS DOG: I admit it. It's hard for me to get on the Charger bandwagon.
This season will be a true litmus test of their level. A harder schedule
should have the Bolts winning a few less games then last year. The Rosetta
stone to their season is games against New England, Pittsburgh and Philly
in a four week stretch and two of those games are on the road. If the Chargers
can pull two of those three games, I'll be a believer.
KANSAS CITY
STATSHARK ANALYST: Injuries and early bad breaks led to a bad season
last year. The team has all the offensive weapons for winning 9+ games and
competing for the Play-Offs.
SPORTS DOG: Can anybody say Defense? Another off-season brings another
round of free agents and draft picks, all signed to help shore up one of
the most porous defenses around. Last year started off hopeful on the D-side
of the ball but ended up right where they were before. Will this year be
different?
OAKLAND
STATSHARK ANALYST: The thing that Oakland fans will have to accept
is that Randy Moss could play well, Kerry Collins could be better, yet the
team could still finish with a dismal record. The Division and the AFC as
a whole is filled with teams that run the ball well and it's not clear how
Moss could help Oakland stop the run.
SPORTS DOG: Commitment to Social Security. The Raiders never ending
stream of aging veterans has worked just enough to give Al "just win
baby" Davis to think this is a good strategy. Certainly the acquisition
of Moss will be an improvement and if any team can deal with his attitude,
it's the Raiders.
Free
NFL Picks with detailed
analysis for the 2005 season |
MORE ARTICLES TO GET YOU READY FOR THE SEASON
NFL: Betting
the Preseason
Can money be made on NFL preseason picks? Absolutely. Can handicappers approach
the preseason the same way they do in the regular season? Of course not. Should
you bet the NFL preseason?...read
full article
Six Reasons
Why Underdogs are the Smart Bet in the NFL
Underdog or favorite? It's a choice we make 16 times per week during
the NFL season. While there are certainly times when favorites warrant our
attention, my experience tells me that betting underdogs is the best way to
make money in the NFL...read
full article
Stats provided by:
