OK. So, it is not really complicated at all. In order to make it into the the playoffs, the Tennessee Titans simply need to:
1. Win their final game against the formidable New England Patriots--who have already clinched their division.
2. Then, the Cincinnati Bengals have to lose or tie.
3. Plus, the Denver Broncos have to lose.
4. Plus, the Kansas City Chiefs have to win.
Uh, yeah. Right. But look, unlikelier scenarios have already occured this year--like every single win the Titans have had since Vince Young became the starting quarterback and totally rescued the team. They began the year with 5 straight losses for heavens sake! No one believed they would be able to win even two games in the season--much less 6 in a row and 8 out of the last 10. So, why not go ahead and contemplate yet another absurdly improbable outcome?
I'd go for it!
ReplyDeleteHere's a statistical puzzle for you:
ReplyDeleteIf the probability the Titans beat the Patriots is 30 %
and the probability the Steelers beat the Bengals is 25%
and the probability the 49ers beat the Broncos is 20%
and the probability the Chiefs beat the Jaguars is 50%
What is the probability the Titans make the playoffs ?
[Hint--first determine if these are dependent or independent probabilities]