Potential Playoff Opponent(s)

[skater18000]

If we get the first round bye, these are the odds on who we'd draw in our first playoff game

Divisional round:

Vs. 49ers 45%

Vs. Packers 34%

Vs. Rams 17%

Vs. Lions 2%

Vs. Panthers 2%

If we don't get the first seed and we fall back to fifth or sixth, we're most likely to draw the following matchups:

Wildcard:

@ Panthers 58%

@ Bucs 35%

@ Eagles 6%

@ Bears 1%

Obviously we'd prefer the first round bye/home field advantage, but is there a preferable route/opponent through the playoffs?

Personally, I think we matchup well with the Packers (comparatively), obviously playing the Panthers would be favorable but they'll most likely be eliminated. I think we can take the Bears/Eagles down the road and I'd prefer to not play the Rams. 49ers will be a tough out considering our division rivalry, but not as tough as the Rams I think.

Would love to hear your thoughts

 

[skater18000]

I'll be updating these #'s as the season carries on

 

[RiverDog]

So, there's no chance of us playing the Niners in the wild card round?

 

[seabowl]

The problem this year will be the team that gets the first round bye will likely need to play a wildcard team that wins the week before. The wildcard teams in some cases are stronger than the divisional teams. Would love to play at home vs the Bears or Panthers, but it could very well be the 49ers or Rams and that is much more difficult scenario to get a win.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

I'll say it again, bring it on. Don't care who we play. This is the playoffs, no room for fear.

But.......of course I would prefer to play someone other than the Niners or Clams in the 1st playoff game.

 

[kidhawk]

So, there's no chance of us playing the Niners in the wild card round?

I’m pretty sure whoever wins our division gets the bye and the other two are wildcard teams playing division leaders.

What I’m confused about is the Bucs not listed as possible in the divisional round but in the wildcard round.

If we win out and the Bucs win out they win the South and be a 4 seed. If the wildcard teams all lose (unlikely but possible) I believe we (1 seed) would play the 4 seed.

 

[Pickly]

Well it’s probably inevitable that the Hawks will have to face the Niners or Rams yet again in the playoffs if they want to make a run so might as well prepare for that scenario. The NFCW is the best division in football for a reason. IMO, it’s gonna be a rubber match vs the Rams so buckle the f*** up cause it’s gonna be fireworks again.

 

[CallMeADawg]

Niners -> Rams -> Patriots

 

[SoulfishHawk]

Nah, I think the Rams are better than the Niners.

 

[CallMeADawg]

Nah, I think the Rams are better than the Niners.

I’m saying that’s the order

 

[RiverDog]

I’m pretty sure whoever wins our division gets the bye and the other two are wildcard teams playing division leaders.

If we lose to the Panthers, the Niners lose to the Bears, the Rams lose one of their last two then we beat the Niners, we'll end up with a 13-4 record and win the NFC West. If the Bears win out, they, too, will finish with a 13-4 record and win the NFC North. The Bears would have a better conference record than us as we'd have 4 conference losses to the Bears 3, so they would win the tiebreaker for the #1 seed.

I don't know what the odds are of all of that happening, but it's not unthinkable that the NFC West winner does not get the #1 seed.

 

[kidhawk]

If we lose to the Panthers, the Niners lose to the Bears, the Rams lose one of their last two then we beat the Niners, we'll end up with a 13-4 record and win the NFC West. If the Bears win out, they, too, will finish with a 13-4 record and win the NFC North. The Bears would have a better conference record than us as we'd have 4 conference losses to the Bears 3, so they would win the tiebreaker for the #1 seed.

I don't know what the odds are of all of that happening, but it's not unthinkable that the NFC West winner does not get the #1 seed.

I don’t know where the Bears sit with tiebreakers amongst every other West team still in it but the odds of the Rams losing either game is pretty low already.

 

[JonRud]

I’m pretty sure whoever wins our division gets the bye and the other two are wildcard teams playing division leaders.

What I’m confused about is the Bucs not listed as possible in the divisional round but in the wildcard round.

If we win out and the Bucs win out they win the South and be a 4 seed. If the wildcard teams all lose (unlikely but possible) I believe we (1 seed) would play the 4 seed.

you are correct it's absolutely possible the Hawks could be the #1 seed and host the Bucs as the #4 seed in the divisional round.

 

[SocialParasite]

From Chicago being perpetually last in their division to having a shot at the #1 seed this year...strange times we are living in.

 

[Chukarhawk]

one thing you can count on is that the clams aren't going to lose to either of the last two tomato cans that they play. They will win out. We need to win decisively next week and show the NFL we mean business.

 

[hox]

Think it will play out like this:

 

[RiverDog]

I don’t know where the Bears sit with tiebreakers amongst every other West team still in it but the odds of the Rams losing either game is pretty low already.

Yeah, the Rams have the easiest schedule of all the teams still vying for the #1 seed in the NFC, ie Falcons and Cards, neither of which are in contention for a playoff spot. We have the Panthers and Niners, both on the road, the Niners have the Bears and us, the Bears have the Niners and Lions. All of those teams are still in contention.

But it's still a possibility that has to be taken into consideration.

 

[kidhawk]

Yeah, the Rams have the easiest schedule of all the teams still vying for the #1 seed in the NFC, ie Falcons and Cards, neither of which are in contention for a playoff spot. We have the Panthers and Niners, both on the road, the Niners have the Bears and us, the Bears have the Niners and Lions. All of those teams are still in contention.

But it's still a possibility that has to be taken into consideration.

The Niners also play the Colts tonight.

 

[RiverDog]

The Niners also play the Colts tonight.

Yeah, I forgot about that one. I was looking at just the Week 17 and 18 schedules.

 

[kidhawk]

Yeah, I forgot about that one. I was looking at just the Week 17 and 18 schedules.

I wouldn’t mind if the Niners took that approach