can someone explain me the tiebreaking scenario in the afc west?
YEAH THAT WAS MY ORIGINAL QUESTION BUT NOW I HAVE RESEARCHED IT MYSELF AND SOLVED A FEW SCENARIOS:
i know that the chargers will stay infront of the raiders no matter what if they win out. i also know that the chiefs win the division in case all four teams end up 8-8.
but how is it when only the chargers, raiders and broncos finish with the same record? or only the broncos and the raiders?
MY OWN SOLUTION for the DEN-SD tie:
the chargers and broncos split their meetings (1st tiebreaker).
they also will end up 3-3 in the division (2nd tiebreaker) if the broncos lose to the chiefs and SD beat the raiders in wk 17.
common opponents record (3rd tiebreaker): both lost against NE, GB and both won against MIN, MIA. DEN won against CHI and NYJ and SD lost. DEN lost against the DET though and SD won against the bills. meaning that DEN is 4-3 and SD is 3-4 against common opponents. so if DEN loses to BUF and SD wins against DET they end up 4-4 against commons opponents.
next tiebreaker is record in games played within the division. again the broncos will ensure at least a tie here (curr: 6-4) vs. SD (curr: 6-5) if they win one of the remaining games.
BECAUSE the SOV and SOS (next two tiebreakers) are clearly favouring the broncos and i am not sure that they will change enough over the last two games for SD to get in.
BOTTOM LINE:
KC gets in if all teams end up 8-8. meaning two DEN losses, two KC wins, OAK beating SD if SD wins against DET.
DEN elimininates SD & obviously KC from the race if they one game due to my essay up there.
the DEN-OAK relationship is not so clear, but i know that DEN wins the division if they beat BUF and OAK loses against KC.
i have absolutely no doubt that the chiefs roll over the broncos in wk 17 no matter if they are still in contention or not.
i also think that they will be too much for the raiders to handle.
so the fate of the division pretty much lies within the bills hands.
i know i am a chargers fan but the only team out of the division could wreak SOME havoc in the playoffs is SD. KC could also be legit depending on how good orton plays (and i would wish orton that he kicks the broncos out in wk 17). but the raiders are fading and the broncos played good D and ran the ball, yes, but they also got lucky. straight out lucky. even DEN fans will admit that.
in other words, i am pretty sure that, now that there is a lot of tape on tebow, head coaches around the AFC flat out pray that DEN or OAK get in. i will assure you of that, just believe me.