Part 8/10:
Francesa breaks down the current playoff outlook, noting that the AFC and NFC each have about 10 contenders vying for 7 playoff spots. The Patriots and Broncos, who have emerged as surprise leaders at this point, could be dangerous sleepers, especially with strong conference records, thus complicating the chase for the postseason.
He highlights the importance of conference records—specifically for powers like the Chiefs and Cowboys—where slight deficits could influence tiebreakers and seeding, making every game critical in the closing weeks.