SBK Edge Rush: Nat Coombs presents the NFL Playoffs picture

“What’s that? Playoffs? Don’t talk about playoffs? (Are) You kidding me? Playoffs? I just hope we can win a game!”

A throwback to the famous press conference involving the great Jim Mora, whose legendary post-game outpouring will be memed, shared and imitated for eternity. 

Some suggest that Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel may channel his inner Mora soon. McDaniel riffing Mora is a press conference I’d love to see, especially if the Dolphins, who are currently 8-6, don’t get their festive wish by taking down the Green Bay Packers (6-8) in the Florida sunshine on Christmas Day. 

But those considering Miami as a team on tilt aren’t looking closely enough. Sure, they have dropped three games on the bounce, but those defeats have come to Buffalo, San Francisco and the Chargers - two of the best teams in football, and another bound for the playoffs. 

Josh Allen: led the Buffalo Bills to a victory over the Miami Dolphins in a close encounter last week

They stood toe-to-toe with Buffalo and didn’t blink - a few dropped passes notwithstanding - and they should be able to run all over one of the most fragile run defences in the game. The Packers are still harbouring playoff ambition but, as “Crystal” Tom Collins and I got into on the SBK Edge Rush Extra podcast, this should be a bounce back win for Tua and co that should enable them to take a big step forward towards the post-season. 

Only six teams are 100% certain of playoff football so far. The Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs, who are both 11-3 in the AFC. And the Philadelphia Eagles (13-1), Minnesota Vikings (11-3), San Francisco 49ers (10-4) and Dallas Cowboys (10-4) in the NFC. 

In terms of the other five spots available in the AFC, the Cincinnati Bengals (10-4) are effectively a lock - they head to Foxboro to take on the New England Patriots (7-7) who are still smarting after the brilliantly surreal meltdown against the Raiders last weekend which cost them not only that game, but possibly a Wild Card spot. 

Inevitably, talk of the end of the road for Bill Belichick has gained in voracity – it’s nonsense, and the very fact that a mediocre New England side is still in the mix is testament to his genius. The Patriots’ run-in includes the Fins and a Week 18 match-up against Buffalo, who may still be playing for the number one seed, or conversely they could be resting their starters if the game carries little consequence. 

Battling Belichick for a playoff spot are the Tennessee Titans (7-7), who are in freefall but should clinch their position by virtue of their poor division with only the erratic Jacksonville Jaguars (6-8) in realistic contention to catch them. 

The New York Jets (7-7) play the Jags this weekend – the loser is surely knocked out of the mix - and they wrap with Seattle and Miami, so are still in the hunt. Meanwhile, the Baltimore Ravens (9-5) look safe despite their injury issues, leaving Miami and LA in the frame. I’d be surprised if there was any change to the seven teams as they stand right now. 

It’s less clearcut in the NFC. The three remaining spots yet to be locked in are ostensibly two, because the Tampa Bay Buccaneers should win the NFC South despite their issues due to Carolina positioned just too far back. That leaves the two Wild Card spots (Dallas having locked down the other). 

The New York Giants (8-5-1) gave themselves a great shot at making the cut with their bounce back win over divisional rivals Washington Commanders (7-7) last week. New York has Minnesota, the Colts, and the Eagles to finish. The latter may not risk injured star quarterback Jalen Hurts in week 18 even if he’s fit again, so if the Giants can win two out of three, they should be home dry. 

The Commanders have a tough run in - they play the 49ers on Christmas Eve, followed by Cleveland and Dallas - while the Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions, who are both 7-7, make up the other contenders. 

Seattle could be knocked out of the reckoning after a tough match-up against the Chiefs this weekend while red-hot Detroit have the most straightforward run-in (Carolina, Chicago and Green Bay). I feel they can run the table and head into the playoffs along with the Jets. We will find out for sure in just three weeks.

If you would like to listen to the latest NFL podcasts hosted by Nat Coombs, please click this link: https://plnk.to/thencshow?to=page