Sando | Who to root for Wk 16 for Cards Playoff run

[jf-08]

2011 Cardinals: Dream scenario for Week 16

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcwest/post/_/id/55001/2011-cardinals-dream-scenario-for-week-16

Sando does a nice job on who to root for this weekend:

A look at what Arizona Cardinals fans should be rooting for as they monitor the NFC playoff race in Week 16 ... more at link

 

[Renz]

Linkie no workie

 

[jf-08]

Linkie no workie

Fixed

 

[TheHopToad]

Bottom line is that for the Cards to make it in, either Atlanta or Detroit has to lose both of their remaining games.

Since the chances of the Falcons losing at home to a pathetic Tampa Bay team in week 17 look slim, everything would appear to hinge on Detroit. They need to lose against both San Diego and Green Bay.

What Sando didn't mention is that the Bears have the tiebreaker over the Cards due to a better conference record, so hoping Chicago beats Green Bay this week just to give the Packers incentive to beat Detroit the following week is moot. We would then HAVE to depend on the Bucs winning at Atlanta in the final week AND hope the Bears lose to the Vikings.

 

[RedRob]

@TheHopToad - Love the avatar!

 

[ajcardfan]

Bottom line is that for the Cards to make it in, either Atlanta or Detroit has to lose both of their remaining games.

Since the chances of the Falcons losing at home to a pathetic Tampa Bay team in week 17 look slim, everything would appear to hinge on Detroit. They need to lose against both San Diego and Green Bay.

What Sando didn't mention is that the Bears have the tiebreaker over the Cards due to a better conference record, so hoping Chicago beats Green Bay this week just to give the Packers incentive to beat Detroit the following week is moot. We would then HAVE to depend on the Bucs winning at Atlanta in the final week AND hope the Bears lose to the Vikings.

Just to have any chance at all going in to the last game would be astounding. First of all, it would mean we won against the Bengals. And, at 8-7, to have a shot at only the 4th winning season in Arizona. Sure, playoffs would be great. But to finish 9-7 after a 1-6 start would be a huge boost for the offseason and next year.

 

[oaken1]

I will root for the Cardinals...one game at a time to a 9-7 record.....if they win out, the football Gods will see fit to get them into the playoffs...... or really piss the team off so they go 16-0 next year............


either way I am cool with it.

 

[earthsci]

I will root for the Cardinals...one game at a time to a 9-7 record.....if they win out, the football Gods will see fit to get them into the playoffs...... or really piss the team off so they go 16-0 next year............


either way I am cool with it.

This.

 

[MrYeahBut]

I will root for the Cardinals...one game at a time to a 9-7 record.....if they win out, the football Gods will see fit to get them into the playoffs...... or really piss the team off so they go 19-0 next year............either way I am cool with it.

ftfy

 

[slanidrac16]

Bottom line is we are in no position to do any scoreboard watching. Beat the Bengals , THEN we can watch.

If we beat the Bengals we will go into next week with a chance. Remember if either the Falcons or Lions lose and we win we have a shot.

Falcons/Saints.....I feel good about this one
Chargers/Lions.....The Chargers are just hitting their stride.

I really think the Falcons and the Lions both lose this week.

 

[NYCARDS]

Wouldnt we want the Giants to win the division and have the tie breaker against Dallas? I hate the Giants and Cowboys so Im rooting more for a miraculous Eagles division winner.

 

[Fitz Rulz]

we may also need 49ers win @ seattle & Chi to beat GB
you need GB must win their last game vs Lions

 

[jmt]

Bottom line is we are in no position to do any scoreboard watching. Beat the Bengals , THEN we can watch.

Absolutely right. GBR!

 

[BigRedFan]

Bottom line is that for the Cards to make it in, either Atlanta or Detroit has to lose both of their remaining games.

Since the chances of the Falcons losing at home to a pathetic Tampa Bay team in week 17 look slim, everything would appear to hinge on Detroit. They need to lose against both San Diego and Green Bay.

What Sando didn't mention is that the Bears have the tiebreaker over the Cards due to a better conference record, so hoping Chicago beats Green Bay this week just to give the Packers incentive to beat Detroit the following week is moot. We would then HAVE to depend on the Bucs winning at Atlanta in the final week AND hope the Bears lose to the Vikings.

If this is the case, then I take back what I said. You have to root for Green Bay versus Chicago. Then assuming Detroit, Atlanta lose this week, you root for Green bay to beat Detroit OR Tampa to beat Atlanta. Of course that is better than having to root for Chicago to beat Minnesota AND Tampa beating Atlanta. So this weekend, everything we need to happen (outside the Cardinals winning) is more likely than not. (San Diego, New Orleans both hot, a motivated Rodgers vs Josh McNown). The last week will be the harder one. But anything can happen, Green bay could still win, Matt Flynn is a good backup. And if KC can beat GB, theres no reason Tampa couldn't upset Atlanta, maybe they could regain their 2010 form. A lot better than no chance for sure.

 

[WisconsinCard]

Seems to me we need Detroit and/or Atlanta to lose or we have no shot. One of these team need to lose, if they both win we are finished in the playoff race. The rest can happen next week also.

 

[Totally_Red]

Question? If BOTH Atlanta and Detriot lose out and the Cardinals win out, would the Cardinals still get in? All three teams would be 9 and 7 correct?

 

[Stout]

Question? If BOTH Atlanta and Detriot lose out and the Cardinals win out, would the Cardinals still get in? All three teams would be 9 and 7 correct?

From my understanding, we just need one of them to lose out, we need to win out, and have a better record than the Bears. If both Atlanta and Detroit lose out, both us and the Bears can make it in.

 

[TheHopToad]

Question? If BOTH Atlanta and Detriot lose out and the Cardinals win out, would the Cardinals still get in? All three teams would be 9 and 7 correct?

From my understanding, we just need one of them to lose out, we need to win out, and have a better record than the Bears. If both Atlanta and Detroit lose out, both us and the Bears can make it in.

The Cards only need one of them to lose out, since they hold the tiebreaker over both Atlanta and Detroit. If they both lose out and the Bears win their games, then the Cards and Bears would make it in. If the Bears lose one game, Atlanta could still make it in at 9-7 (with AZ)

Here is the wildcard tiebreaker order presuming all teams are tied at 9-7:

1. Seattle*
2. Chicago
3. Arizona*
4. Dallas
5. Atlanta
6. Detroit

*Winner of Seattle/Arizona game in week 17. Both can't fininsh 9-7.

Also, the Giants can finish 9-7, but can only win the division. There is not a scenario for the Giants to be a wildcard team, therefore they are not listed.

 

[Stout]

Also, the Giants can finish 9-7, but can only win the division. There is not a scenario for the Giants to be a wildcard team, therefore they are not listed.

Ah, I'm assuming that, since the Giants would be tied with more than just us at 9-7, that head-to-head is nullified, and that is why they would lose the tie breaker. Correct?

 

[kerouac9]

Just to have any chance at all going in to the last game would be astounding. First of all, it would mean we won against the Bengals. And, at 8-7, to have a shot at only the 4th winning season in Arizona. Sure, playoffs would be great. But to finish 9-7 after a 1-6 start would be a huge boost for the offseason and next year.

This. A playoff game would be nice, but we'd be @SF or @NFC East winner. It'd definitely be interesting.

But coming out 9-7 even in Cardiac Cardinals fashion would give us something to build on for 2012 and really provide a lot of buy-in from the players for offseason activities and everything else.

 

[TheCardinal]

If we get in, the most likely opponent (#3 seed) would be NO. If SF wins out, they'll get a bye.

Weather here in Cincinnati is very mild, clear, low/mid 40s. Should not be a factor today.