A few teams are locked into the playoffs, but as always, there are a number of teams alive for the final spots.

 

Both Dallas and the NY Giants control their own destinies in the NFC East. However, amazingly, the Philadelphia Eagles still have a shot to win the division and make the playoffs. And, the possibility of that happening isn't as far fetched as you might think initially. For that to happen, Philly needs to win in Dallas and then at home against Washington. (That puts them at 8-8 with a 5-1 record in the division.) They need the Jets to beat the Giants this week, and they need the Giants to beat the Cowboys in Week 17. That puts both the Cowboys and Giants at 8-8 with worse division records. I don't think any of those results would surprise anyone, so this scenario is certainly a possibility.

 

Detroit and Atlanta both secure a spot with one more win. Atlanta has a tough game against New Orleans, but should beat Tampa in Week 17. Detroit has two tough games against San Diego and Green Bay. There are 4 teams at 7-7 (NY Giants, Chicago, Seattle, Arizona).

 

In the AFC, four spots are clinched. The AFC West is still up for grabs and one wild card spot. Denver controls their destiny at 8-6 with two winnable games (Buffalo and KC) remaining. San Diego and Oakland sit a game back at 7-7, with a head-to-head matchup that could decide the division if Denver falters.

 

Cincinnati and the NY Jets sit tied at 8-6 for the final spot, with Tennessee and the two AFC West teams at (7-7). Not sure about the scenarios there.

 

Who'd have thought Philly and San Diego would both have a chance to steal their divisions at this point in the season?

 

 

8 Games - 134 attempts, 741 yards (5.5 ypc); 24 receptions, 173 yards (7.2 ypc); 6 TD

 

Who can tell me which RB has posted these numbers? (Hint: The team is 5-3 in those 8 games.)

 

 

Alas, the shot at seeing a perfect season is foiled once again. But, the bigger question to me is this: Was this just a hiccup for Green Bay? A lackluster performance that is bound to happen over the course of a season, made even more likely by a team with little to play for facing a sub-par opponent? Or, is this a red-flag that Green Bay's passing offense needs stud receiver Greg Jennings more than we may have thought? If the offense continues to struggle without Jennings, that could be a concern considering he'll miss three games and then they get a bye. Will the timing between he and Rodgers be off?

 

 

In the NFC, Green Bay and New Orleans seem to be a notch above the rest. The scariest team other than those two, IMO, is Philly. A scary scenario for Green Bay, IMO, is this: A Divisional Round matchup against Philly. The Eagles were the team who gave them their toughest test last year in the playoffs and they are one team with the offensive firepower, when they're on, that could potentially win a shootout against the Packers. The team is constructed in a way that could match up well with Green Bay, and if Green Bay has to shake off a little rust...Philly would certainly match the Super Bowl formula we've seen recently of getting hot down the stretch, winning your way into the playoffs with some help, then riding that wave to a title. Could it happen? :idunno:

 

 

Pittsburgh and Baltimore would seem to be the AFC favorites at this point. Hard to believe in Houston without Schaub. As always, you can't count the Patriots out with Brady, especially if they finish things off and clinch home field through the Super Bowl. However, the inability of the defense to improve and stop anybody forces me to ask the question, what makes them different from the last two seasons when they had the same set-up and lost to physical football teams more suited to play playoff football? Certainly, one cannot count out the possibility of some more Tim Tebow miracles. The Jets, if they get in, are certainly a threat based on their past playoff success.

 

 

How on earth can the Titans lose to a winless team with a real shot at the playoffs on the line? Terrible performance. I know the Titans aren't that good, but they are better than a Manning-less Colts team. Or, at least I thought they were.

I'm assuming those #'s are Reggie Bush. He's been phenominal since being given the bulk of the touches.

The Titans definitely delivered the worst performance of the afternoon. Theoretically Kansas City is still alive for the AFC West title.

Let's go Seahawks!!

 

Gonna be hard to sneak in, but I'm thrilled with the play down the stretch of this season, and hope they can carry that momentum with them next year. So much youth on the roster to be playing as well as they are as of late.

I'm assuming those #'s are Reggie Bush. He's been phenominal since being given the bulk of the touches.

I was thinking the same thing but the Saints are better than 5-3 over their last 8 games.

^ Bush plays for the Dolphins now.

I was thinking the same thing but the Saints are better than 5-3 over their last 8 games.

 

Ol' Reggie is a Dolphin these days.

I am a complete idiot. Then yes, Reggie Bush. I was just thinking yesterday how much better Bush has been in Miami.

Nevermind. I forgot Bush was a Dolphin as well.

Miami sits at 5-9 with two one-point losses and two losses by a FG (one the OT game against Denver). They could easily be 9-5.

 

Philly at 6-8. Blew a lead against Atlanta when Vick got hurt, lost a chance to beat the Giants when Vick got hurt, blew a lead against San Francisco. If they win just two of those games, they are 8-6 and in the driver's seat in the NFC East.

 

Just two examples of the paper thin margin for error in the modern-day NFL.

Philly lost to the giants in game 1 because the giants beat them. If injuries mattered I could list almost an entire roster of injuries the giants have. Philly didn't lose bc Vick got hurt. The giants are a team that can beat almost any team in the league. They're also a team who can lose to almost any team in the league.

 

And I'm tired of Philly. I the giants win this week and end their playoff hopes.

HB, the Giants are Sybil. But I'm with you on the Eagles. They've been harangued by the Vince Young curse.

Just having the Bengals in the playoff conversation with two weeks to go is a win for us.

 

IF they win out, I think they make it.

If the Giants don't beat the Jets this week, the Bengals are done.

If the Giants don't beat the Jets this week, the Bengals are done.

 

How?

 

The Bengals can lose next week to the Cardinals and have the Jets beat the Gmen, and they still get in if the Jets lose @Miami and Cincy beats Baltimore.