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We've hit the midway level of the NFL season with Week 9 wrapping up Monday evening, and the Giants and Jets aren't simply on monitor to play significant video games within the second half — they're each on monitor to make the playoffs.
Earlier than you cue up the Jim Mora “Playoffs?!?” video, the disclaimer: So much can occur over the following 9 weeks, together with two New York groups falling again to earth after a stunning first 9 weeks.
However with the Jets coming into their bye week and the Giants popping out of theirs, it looks like a pure time to take a short peek on the playoff image and see what they're up in opposition to throughout the second half of the season.
If the common season ended as we speak, these can be the first-round playoff matchups:
AFC present wild-card video games
No. 5 Jets at No. 4 Titans
No. 6 Dolphins at No. 3 Ravens
No. 7 Chargers at No. 2 Chiefs
NFC present wild-card video games
No. 5 Cowboys at No. 4 Buccaneers
No. 6 Giants at No. 3 Seahawks
No. 7 49ers at No. 2 Vikings
Once more, there’s an extended approach to go earlier than both group has to begin worrying a few potential playoff opponent or jockeying for seeding. Simply stepping into the dance would qualify as a smashing success primarily based off of preseason expectations. What stands in the best way of creating that occur?
First, we’ll sort out the Jets’ possibilities. A have a look at the AFC standings in the mean time:
1. Payments (6-2), first place AFC East
2. Chiefs (6-2), first place AFC West
3. Ravens (6-3), first place AFC North
4. Titans (5-3), first place AFC South
5. Jets (6-3)
6. Dolphins (6-3)
7. Chargers (5-3)
8. Patriots (5-4)
9. Bengals (5-4)
10. Colts (3-5-1)
11. Browns (3-5)
12. Broncos (3-5)
13. Jaguars (3-6)
14. Raiders (2-6)
15. Steelers (2-6)
16. Texans (1-6-1)
Profitable the AFC East remains to be in play after the Jets shocked the Payments on Sunday — particularly with Josh Allen now being evaluated for an elbow harm associated to his UCL, ESPN reported Monday. However so long as Allen’s harm doesn’t flip into one thing greater, it nonetheless looks like a good guess to pencil in Buffalo because the eventual division champs. We are able to additionally mission the Chiefs because the AFC West champs, thanks partially to their third-easiest power of remaining schedule (per Tankathon), the Ravens as AFC North champs, because of their best power of remaining schedule, and the Titans as AFC South champs, contemplating the second-place group within the division (the Colts) simply fired their head coach on Monday.
That would depart 5 groups — the Jets, Dolphins, Chargers, Patriots and Bengals — combating for 3 spots, except a sub-.500 group catches hearth within the second half (such because the Browns as soon as Deshaun Watson returns from his suspension). Barring that, right here’s the way it would possibly break down, with every group’s power of remaining schedule (SORS):
Jets (SORS: .551): If they're going to end what they began, it’s going to be on the again of their protection. The primary two video games out of the bye shall be essential. They get a rematch in opposition to the Patriots after which host the Bears in a recreation they need to win, even with QB Justin Fields starting to appear to be an actual risk. Then they’ll face the Vikings, Payments, Lions, Jaguars and Seahawks earlier than ending up in opposition to the Dolphins in Miami. Think about if that finale turns right into a winner-gets-in recreation?
Dolphins (SORS: .500): With Tua Tagovailoa again wholesome — to not point out including go rusher Bradley Chubb on the commerce deadline — the Dolphins are legit. They're 6-0 in video games Tagovailoa begins and finishes.
Chargers (SORS: .473): Their 5 wins have come in opposition to under-.500 groups, ande two of their three losses got here in opposition to playoff groups. They’ll need to show they will beat high groups, however with Justin Herbert beneath heart, they’re at all times harmful.
Patriots (SORS: .603): Much like the Jets, their protection is essentially accountable for their stable begin. However they've the second-toughest schedule left within the NFL, that means they’ll probably want their offense (and quarterback Mac Jones) to tug a few of its weight.
Bengals (SORS: .552): The reigning AFC champs got here out of the gates sluggish, however may nonetheless give the Ravens a run for the AFC North title. If not, Joe Burrow and Co. are a risk to search out their footing within the second half.
Now for the Giants and the NFC standings:
1. Eagles (8-0), first place NFC East
2. Vikings (7-1), first place NFC North
3. Seahawks (6-3), first place NFC West
4. Buccaneers (4-5), first place NFC South
5. Cowboys (6-2)
6. Giants (6-2)
7. 49ers (4-4)
8. Falcons (4-5)
9. Commanders (4-5)
10. Rams (3-5)
11. Saints (3-6)
12. Packers (3-6)
13. Cardinals (3-6)
14. Bears (3-6)
15. Lions (2-6)
16. Panthers (2-7)
The Giants have some extra respiratory room — and seemingly much less competitors — than the Jets in the mean time. Quite a lot of anticipated NFC contenders have been disappointments by means of the primary half, together with the Rams, Packers and Cardinals.
With the Eagles within the driver’s seat for the NFC East, the Vikings for the NFC North and the Seahawks for the NFC West, plus the Buccaneers simply barely main the depressing NFC South, that leaves three playoff spots for … what number of practical contenders?
The three wild playing cards proper now — the Cowboys, Giants and 49ers — have nice photographs to get in. Right here’s how the race breaks down:
Cowboys (SORS: .539): They weathered the storm whereas Dak Prescott was out and now have him again for the stretch run. Higher but? Their protection has been top-of-the-line within the NFL.
Giants (SORS: .587): Brian Daboll has the Giants enjoying above their expertise degree, although it definitely helps having Saquon Barkley wanting like his outdated self and Wink Martindale scheming the protection (which misplaced invaluable security Xavier McKinney for no less than 4 weeks attributable to a hand harm suffered in a trip ATV accident). They arrive out of the bye week with winnable video games in opposition to the Texans and Lions earlier than coming into the guts of their division schedule with 4 straight video games and 5 of the final seven in opposition to NFC East foes.
49ers (SORS: .456): Their plans for the season went haywire when QB Trey Lance suffered a season-ending ankle harm in Week 2. However Jimmy Garoppolo has steadied the ship, and the commerce deadline addition of Christian McCaffrey makes their offense much more of a risk.
Falcons (SORS: .380): Might the Falcons truly sneak into the playoffs? They do have the second-easiest power of remaining schedule within the NFL, which may maintain them in rivalry down the stretch.
Rams (SORS: .481): The hangover is actual for the defending Tremendous Bowl champs. However at what level can Sean McVay and Co. be totally counted out?
At this time’s again web page
Learn extra about Monday’s NBA information and outcomes:
🏀 Julius Randle leads Knicks’ 3-point barrage in win over Timberwolves
🏀 Voices urging in opposition to Ime Udoka rent rising louder in and round Nets
🏀 Nets lose to Mavericks as Kevin Durant misses likelihood to be hero
Warming up within the ‘pen
MLB free company begins at 5 p.m. on Thursday, and there are not any lack of big-name targets available on the market. For the Yankees and Mets, there are largefreebrokers of their very own to attempt to maintain in New York earlier than they attempt to tackle different areas of want.
Whereas the gamers who're in line for the most important paydays have been talked about a lot, listed here are three less-heralded free-agent pitchers who is also of curiosity to the Yankees and Mets, who're each in want of bullpen assist.
Robert Suarez: The best-handed reliever could have gained some extra consideration whereas pitching for the Padres within the playoffs — particularly when he was on the flawed finish of Bryce Harper’s game-winning house run within the Phillies’ clinching Sport 5 of the NLCS. Nevertheless it was a bitter end to what was in any other case a breakout season for the 31-year-old rookie who beforehand pitched professionally in Japan. Suarez, who declined his $5 million participant choice on Monday, ought to have loads of suitors. He posted a 2.27 ERA with 61 strikeouts throughout 47 ⅔ innings. His fastball averaged 97.9 mph, and opponents hit simply .139 with a .139 slugging proportion in opposition to his sinker. Simply as importantly, Suarez restricted lefties to a .564 OPS, so he is usually a weapon in opposition to hitters from either side of the plate.
Matthew Boyd: The previous Tigers starter signed with the Giants final March whereas recovering forearm flexor tendon surgical procedure, then was traded to the Mariners in August with out ever pitching for the Giants due to the harm. However the Mariners used him as a left-handed reliever, and the outcomes have been intriguing: a 1.35 ERA in 13 ⅓ innings with batters hitting simply .116 with a .386 OPS in opposition to him. It’s a small pattern measurement, and it’s attainable Boyd will look to signal with a group that plans to make use of him as a starter once more. But when he’s open to being a full-time reliever, he could possibly be price a shot.
Michael Fulmer: The previous Mets prospect, who was traded to the Tigers within the 2015 Yoenis Cespedes deadline deal, already has made the transition to full-time reliever due to accidents. In components of two seasons as a reliever, he has posted a 2.98 ERA with the Tigers and Twins. This 12 months, he had one of many recreation’s greatest sliders, holding opponents to a .342 slugging proportion on the pitch.
Again to highschool
Faculty hoops formally tipped off Monday, although maybe with much less fanfare than standard.
One of many attainable causes? Of the projected high three picks in subsequent 12 months’s NBA Draft, none of them are in faculty. Consensus No. 1 choose Victor Wembanyama is enjoying professionally in France whereas Scoot Henderson (G League Ignite) and Amen Thompson (Time beyond regulation Elite) went various routes to school.
Behind them, Arkansas freshman guard Nick Smith is broadly pegged as the highest draft prospect in faculty.
Critics would possibly see this as a priority for faculty basketball, taking away among the intrigue for individuals who take pleasure in watching to see subsequent 12 months’s NBA lottery picks. However maybe the dearth of surefire, next-level stars will make for a extra fulfilling faculty season, placing an emphasis on one of the best groups and storylines over trying to find one-and-done gamers.
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