I usually wait until after 6 weeks to really get into it but we’ve probably seen enough to get a good idea.

Super Bowl contenders? For me it’s Patriots, Chiefs and Jags in the AFC and Rams and Saints

Teams that might surprise for contention: Panthers/Packers

6-10 or 10-6....Lions, Dolphins, Steelers, Titans

I just don’t think so this year... Vikings

Maybe, but we’re mostly all skeptical: Bengals, Browns, Jets

Bottom Team: Cardinals

I agree with your contenders but I think Jacksonville is really down on that list as long as Bortles is their QB. 

I'll subtract the Packers from your surprise contention team and add San Diego. 

Also agree on Vikings but that division, like it's AFC counterpart, is still wide open. A lot of people are high on the Bears at the moment. 

I'm offended you're grouping the Jets with the Bengals. 

Is it statistically possible for the AFC North to send three teams to the playoffs? 

The NFC South did it last year with Carolina, New Orleans, and Atlanta. Carolina and New Orleans were 11-5 and Atlanta was 10-6. 

Next two weeks can be telling as to who is the cream and who may be pretenders with Pittsburgh @ Cincy and KC @ New England with the following week being Cincy @ KC and NE @ Chicago.

posted by friendfromlowry

I agree with your contenders but I think Jacksonville is really down on that list as long as Bortles is their QB. 

I'll subtract the Packers from your surprise contention team and add San Diego. 

Also agree on Vikings but that division, like it's AFC counterpart, is still wide open. A lot of people are high on the Bears at the moment. 

I'm offended you're grouping the Jets with the Bengals. 

Is it statistically possible for the AFC North to send three teams to the playoffs? 

My maybe group is basically just a “they are better than most of their fans expected and should be a promising season in their minds”

posted by friendfromlowry

Is it statistically possible for the AFC North to send three teams to the playoffs? 

They've done it before (2011-12 and 2014-15 recently), so yeah. Whether any two of Pittsburgh, Baltimore or Cleveland can be consistent enough to get there is another story, but it is possible.

IMO, the AFC East/South won't get a wildcard. Patriots, Chiefs, Jaguars win their divisions. So you have Bengals, Ravens, Steelers, Browns, and Chargers competing for AFC north and the two wildcards. 

Pats are a lock to win the AFCE. Chiefs are the clear favorite, though I could see the Chargers sneaking away with it. Jax and Ten are a tossup for me, but the loser doesn't get a wildcard, IMO. Not sure about the North, I wouldn't be surprised with any team winning it. And I don't think they send 3 to the playoffs, as I see both KC and LAC making it.

I'll say:
1. Chiefs
2. Pats
3. Bengals
4. Jax
5. Chargers
6. Steelers

As for the NFC, I'll go:
1. Rams
2. Saints
3. Bears
4. Eagles
5. Panthers
6. Vikings