Well...here we are. Pretty much where we expected to be at this point in the season. I am suprised by the resurgence of the 49ers. That was a pretty amazing turnaround for one year. But...overall, we're where we probably should be. Let me lay down the Playoff situation prior to this week's game for you (thanks to FOX Sports).
In the AFC:
| Division leaders | W-L | Div. | Conf. | Playoff notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. PATRIOTS-y | 12-3 | 4-1 | 9-2 | Clinched first-round bye |
| 2. RAVENS-z | 11-4 | 5-0 | 8-3 | Win AFC North if they beat Bengals |
| 3. TEXANS-y | 10-5 | 4-1 | 8-3 | Clinched franchise's first playoff berth |
| 4. BRONCOS | 8-7 | 3-2 | 6-5 | Win AFC West if they beat Chiefs |
| Wild-card teams | W-L | Div. | Conf. | Playoff notes |
| 5. STEELERS-z | 11-4 | 3-2 | 8-3 | Need win + Ravens loss for AFC North title |
| 6. BENGALS | 9-6 | 2-3 | 6-5 | Clinch wild card if they beat Ravens |
| In the hunt | ||||
| RAIDERS (8-7), TITANS (8-7), JETS (8-7) | ||||
| Playoff scenarios | ||||
PATRIOTS clinch home-field advantage throughout AFC playoffs with:
BRONCOS clinch AFC West Division with:
BENGALS clinch a wild-card spot with:
JETS clinch a wild-card spot with:
TITANS clinch a wild-card spot with:
|
||||
Got that???
And in the NFC:
| Division leaders | W-L | Div. | Conf. | Playoff notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. PACKERS-x | 14-1 | 5-0 | 11-0 | Clinched home-field edge throughout |
| 2. 49ERS-y | 12-3 | 4-1 | 9-2 | Battling Saints for first-round bye |
| 3. SAINTS-y | 12-3 | 4-1 | 8-3 | Captured NFC South with win over Falcons |
| 4. GIANTS | 8-7 | 2-3 | 4-7 | Showdown with Dallas decides it |
| Wild-card teams | W-L | Div. | Conf. | Playoff notes |
| 5. LIONS-z | 10-5 | 3-2 | 6-5 | Clinched wild card with win vs. Chargers |
| 6. FALCONS-z | 9-6 | 2-3 | 6-5 | Clinched wild card with Bears' loss |
| In the hunt | ||||
| COWBOYS (8-7) | ||||
| Playoff scenarios | ||||
49ERS
GIANTS clinch NFC East Division with:
COWBOYS clinch NFC East Division with:
|
||||
That's how it goes for playoffs.
Here's how I see the weekend going:
Most of these games mean nothing...but those that do should be a blast to watch.
WAS @ PHI Iggles are playing for their coach's gig & nothing else. Washington would like Reid gone. Take Philly.
DET @ GB Packers have nothing to play for but sending a message. Detroit doesn't want to get anyone hurt. Take GB @ home.
NYJ @ MIA The Jets have to have it. Miami can end the nonsense of Rex Ryan 2011. They will. Jets lose.
CAR @ NO Cam Newton is everything they said he was. And maybe more. NOLA has nothing to gain by risking their starters. They'll let Brees pad his stats for a quarter & then...This will be the Cam show.
SF @ STL Harbaugh will rest his guys and his 2nd string will still stomp the Rams
CHI @ MIN Vikings? Without AP? Sure...why not?
TEN @ HOU Tennessee has to have it. They'll play harder and Houston will rest their guys.
IND @ JAC Indy sucks. They're committed to Manning for next season and he's never going to play again. Jacksonville also sucks...but they have a new owner to impress and all need jobs next season. Taking the Jags
BUF @ NE Do you really think the Pats will allow Buffalo to sweep them? Hell no. They'll pour it on and get the starters out. Take the Pats
PIT @ CLE Steelers? Maybe they let Ben play a little. But nobody's gonna get hurt. He's the only one that needs to get it going.
KC @ DEN Kyle Orton gets a chance to exact his revenge on that horse-faced douchebag Elway. Go get 'em Kyle!
BAL @ CIN Cincy needs this. They're not ready.
SEA @ ARI Is Kolb playing? Hasn't Skelton been winning? Do we still have a QB issue in Glendale?
TB @ ATL Atlanta is in. TB is going to be looking for a coach on Monday. Who cares? Falcons.
SD @ OAK I want the Raiders to win this. I believe they *can* I don't think they will. Something about this screams "Chargers win!" Ugh...C'mon boys. Restore my faith. "Just Win Baby!"
DAL @ NYG Only game truly worth watching. Tony Romo is so much hype. I actually relish watching him and his plastic-man owner choke year after year. Go Giants!!!
And that's it!!! I've had a decent year! LOVE football season. It's almost over. Let me be the first to predict the Superbowl. I see Baltimore & New Orleans going at it with the Saints winning it all!!!
Let's see how it goes! As usual, hit me up via e-mail: neanderpaul@kdkb.com
Have a SAFE...HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Talk to you Tuesday!!!!
Comments
RickFinnigan - Go Raiders !!!