2025 Playoffs Thread

[gopkrs]

Yeah I like the divisions as well gopkrs and the natural rivalries created. We all more or less know the teams, and the rivalries that develop over time are fun to watch.

It just bugs me that, seemingly every year, there is a division winner, with a worse record than its first-round opponent, played at the division-winner's home stadium.

But it's not good to throw the baby out with the bathwater. The rivalries that come from the divisions are worth keeping the current format as is.

As a comparison, I don't like how baseball divisions have turned out. Just jumbled imo. And some of the division rivalries don't exist anymore.

 

[gopkrs]

If you make a simple change, you get to keep the divisional rivalries. Just make it so that each division winner still gets a playoff spot - just not necessarily a home game. Make it so the team with the better record plays the game at home.

Like it. That would be a good way to go.

 

[Heyjoe4]

We had to play the Bears 3 times in the 2010 season. If we had to play them I wish it was not in the first round.
We also played the Tampa Bucs in 1997 back in the Dilfer-Sapp days.

Yep and I remember that game well. It was the NFCCG and the Packers were the 6th and last seed. They went on a run at the best time of the season. I'm all for a repeat.

 

[Heyjoe4]

If you make a simple change, you get to keep the divisional rivalries. Just make it so that each division winner still gets a playoff spot - just not necessarily a home game. Make it so the team with the better record plays the game at home.

Yep that's all it would take. Teams with better records than the 7th seed could still miss the playoffs, but at least the right teams would get home games.

 

[milani]

Yep and I remember that game well. It was the NFCCG and the Packers were the 6th and last seed. They went on a run at the best time of the season. I'm all for a repeat.

For some reason I do not see either team getting that far. The Bears won, but a better, healthier team would have held on to that game. Whereas, watching the 9ers destroy the Colts on the road convinced me that the 3 best teams in the conference are in the NFC West.

 

[Heyjoe4]

For some reason I do not see either team getting that far. The Bears won, but a better, healthier team would have held on to that game. Whereas, watching the 9ers destroy the Colts on the road convinced me that the 3 best teams in the conference are in the NFC West.

Yeah the West is loaded - with the hags, Rams, and Niners all legit SB contenders. Out of the three teams I like the Rams' chances best. They have the best HC out of the three, and the best QB.

Neither the Packers or Bears are likely to go further than a first round win. And the Packers still need to qualify. Even with that, it's almost a lock they will return to Chicago for round 1. That's fine w/me.

 

[milani]

Yeah the West is loaded - with the hags, Rams, and Niners all legit SB contenders. Out of the three teams I like the Rams' chances best. They have the best HC out of the three, and the best QB.

Neither the Packers or Bears are likely to go further than a first round win. And the Packers still need to qualify. Even with that, it's almost a lock they will return to Chicago for round 1. That's fine w/me.

I will not say lock until we can get in. We have lost 5 very winnable games and tied one also. A young team can find ways to lose just as a veteran team finds ways to win.

 

[Zartan]

PACK HAVE CLINCHED THE PLAYOFFS!!!

 

[Pkrjones]

Vikes did us a solid... and we need to pound them next week to get our playoff swagger in-gear.

FYI... Vikes had 3 yards passing on the day!!! 51 yards in the air, -48 on 7 sacks of Brosmer for 3 yards total!!

 

[OldSchool101]

Vikes did us a solid... and we need to pound them next week to get our playoff swagger in-gear.

FYI... Vikes had 3 yards passing on the day!!! 51 yards in the air, -48 on 7 sacks of Brosmer for 3 yards total!!

I saw that. The Vikings Defense was swarming Goff and Co. 5 Sacks, 2 INT, 4 FR. MN also completely shutdown the Detroit Running game
30 Runs for 68 yards 2.3 per (8 long)
Logged 8 Tackles for Loss

 

[AKCheese]

For some reason I do not see either team getting that far. The Bears won, but a better, healthier team would have held on to that game. Whereas, watching the 9ers destroy the Colts on the road convinced me that the 3 best teams in the conference are in the NFC West.

Because they destroyed a guy who shot-putted his passes?

 

[milani]

Because they destroyed a guy who shot-putted his passes?

Even strong armed Goff got demolished today. When your D gives up 34 of 41 points you need not only a shot putter, but a high jumper and a javelin thrower as well.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Vikes did us a solid... and we need to pound them next week to get our playoff swagger in-gear.

FYI... Vikes had 3 yards passing on the day!!! 51 yards in the air, -48 on 7 sacks of Brosmer for 3 yards total!!

Brosmer was sacked 7 times and the queens still won? I just looked at game stats and they certainly look like a Lions' win. Well that was the same for the Packers/Bears last Saturday. The W is all that counts. Lombardi said it so it must be true.

WTF happened to Detroit? The Packers are the only team in the North that has played pretty much as expected at 9-5-1. The Bears have turned their team around (until round 1 of the playoffs ) and the queens have tanked behind JJM.

Well the Packers can't rest anyone as long as there's a shot at winning the North. Bears are at the Niners Sunday night, and then close the season at home against the Lions. I'm guessing Dan Campbell doesn't want this season to end with a losing record, and the Niners won't be an easy out. There is some hope for the Packers winning the North - an outside chance.

 

[Heyjoe4]

I saw that. The Vikings Defense was swarming Goff and Co. 5 Sacks, 2 INT, 4 FR. MN also completely shutdown the Detroit Running game
30 Runs for 68 yards 2.3 per (8 long)
Logged 8 Tackles for Loss

Thanks for the stats OS. I really expected a Lions' win. A Dan Campbell team with everything to play for goes way, way south against the queens and a backup QB with 51 yards, (3 net after the sacks).

Well the Packers still have an outside shot at winning the North. Yes they have to beat Baltimore and the queens. The Bears have to lose to the Niners on the road, and the Lions at home. I'm guessing Campbell will not want this season to end with a losing record.

It's still a stretch, but hey, there's a chance......

 

[Heyjoe4]

I will not say lock until we can get in. We have lost 5 very winnable games and tied one also. A young team can find ways to lose just as a veteran team finds ways to win.

I agree completely, although it's a moot point now with the Lions' loss.

The Packers are still good enough to beat any team in the NFL. And yeah, just about everything would have to go right for them. I'd be satisfied with a playoff win over the Bears. After all the injuries, anything else is house money.

One question that came to mind among the injury avalanche - when did Wyatt become so good? I admit I haven't been paying much attention until he was injured, but it certainly seems like he's the best DL they've got.

Hopefully by early next October Parsons and Kraft are back, and Wyatt. But this season isn't over - so get nasty Packers!

 

[Guacamole]

with this all being said.....the goal is to play in Santa Clara, not just make the playoffs. So, do you rest em' or play em'?

 

[milani]

Brosmer was sacked 7 times and the queens still won? I just looked at game stats and they certainly look like a Lions' win. Well that was the same for the Packers/Bears last Saturday. The W is all that counts. Lombardi said it so it must be true.

WTF happened to Detroit? The Packers are the only team in the North that has played pretty much as expected at 9-5-1. The Bears have turned their team around (until round 1 of the playoffs ) and the queens have tanked behind JJM.

Well the Packers can't rest anyone as long as there's a shot at winning the North. Bears are at the Niners Sunday night, and then close the season at home against the Lions. I'm guessing Dan Campbell doesn't want this season to end with a losing record, and the Niners won't be an easy out. There is some hope for the Packers winning the North - an outside chance.

Still, with all their QB injuries, the Vikings are 8-8 with a shot to finish 9-8. Not what they expected but it looks like they have promise for next season.

 

[milani]

with this all being said.....the goal is to play in Santa Clara, not just make the playoffs. So, do you rest em' or play em'?

Rest em'. Especially, if it is an illness.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Still, with all their QB injuries, the Vikings are 8-8 with a shot to finish 9-8. Not what they expected but it looks like they have promise for next season.

Wow thanks Milani. I knew the queens had gotten hot - I think they were 5-8 or 4-8 at some point. It would be amazing for them to finish above .500, and even more amazing if the Lions finished last in the North.

The Lions are not gonna be in the playoiffs at 8-8. Like the Packers, they have lost some impact players to injury, notably Branch and Joseph in the secondary.

A nice, belated Xmas present would be 1) Packers beat Baltimore and the queens and 2) Bears fall to the Niners and Lions. Voila! Packers win the North!

I'm not sure if the Niners can affect their own playoff position, or protect it, with one or two more wins. Even so, I don't see them taking it easy against the Bears. So a Bears' loss in Santa Clara is certainly possible.

With nothing to play for - other than pride - I still expect the Lions to fight hard in the season ender in Chicago.

 

[milani]

Wow thanks Milani. I knew the queens had gotten hot - I think they were 5-8 or 4-8 at some point. It would be amazing for them to finish above .500, and even more amazing if the Lions finished last in the North.

The Lions are not gonna be in the playoiffs at 8-8. Like the Packers, they have lost some impact players to injury, notably Branch and Joseph in the secondary.

A nice, belated Xmas present would be 1) Packers beat Baltimore and the queens and 2) Bears fall to the Niners and Lions. Voila! Packers win the North!

I'm not sure if the Niners can affect their own playoff position, or protect it, with one or two more wins. Even so, I don't see them taking it easy against the Bears. So a Bears' loss in Santa Clara is certainly possible.

With nothing to play for - other than pride - I still expect the Lions to fight hard in the season ender in Chicago.

I think 2026 will be another 4 way dogfight in the NFC North. The team that stays the healthiest will win out. The NFC West will again be a 3 of 4 race. I do not see much more coming out of the South and East other than the Eagles. The Cowboys will be interesting to follow in the offseason.

 

[Heyjoe4]

I think 2026 will be another 4 way dogfight in the NFC North. The team that stays the healthiest will win out. The NFC West will again be a 3 of 4 race. I do not see much more coming out of the South and East other than the Eagles. The Cowboys will be interesting to follow in the offseason.

Agreed. The Cowboys could have a fabulous team if Jerruh weren't in the picture. Prescott, Lamb and Pickens are as good a QB/WR/WR trio in football.

But yeah, NFC talent is concentrated in the North and West. Maybe the South surprises next season, but that doesn't seem likley. Baker Mayfield is a v good QB, until he's not. Looks like Carolina is a team on the rise.

But yeah, the Lions will spend the offseason getting healthy, again. So will the Packers. The Bears are legit. If McConnell can work his QB magic with JJM, they could have a v good offense, again.