There are only three weeks left in the NFL's regular season and some teams are playing themselves into playoff position (Denver) while others are playing themselves out (Dallas).
AFC
1. Houston (10-3)
2. Baltimore (10-3)
3. New England (10-3)
4. Denver (8-5)
5. Pittsburgh (10-3)
6. New York Jets (8-5)
Next two:
7. Tennessee (7-6)
8. Cincinnati (7-6)
-This could be a very strong AFC playoffs. Every team right now in the playoffs would have less than four losses except two, and the two that have more than four losses are not easy outs. The Jets have gone to the AFC championship games two years in a row and the Broncos have won six in a row behind a tough defense and clutch play from Tim Tebow.
-It will be interesting to see what the Texans can do the final three weeks. Right now, they have the conference's top seed and have won seven in a row. Last week, they beat a solid Cincinnati squad despite playing with third-string quarterback TJ Yates. Yates, in fact, led the Texans down the field for the game-winning drive. The Texans play Carolina, Indianapolis, and Tennessee in their final three games so even with Yates at quarterback, I think they stand a good chance at remaining the AFC's top seed. It would make for an interesting dynamic to see the AFC's top team have home field advantage in the playoffs and play with their third string quarterback. The Texans can win, though. They have a rowdy, hungry fan base, No. 1 defense in terms of yardage, and a great running game. If Yates can just manage games, they could still go far in the playoffs.
-The Steelers might very well be my pick to come out of the AFC but those two losses to the Ravens hurt. They will probably end up being the reason why Pittsburgh will be a wild card and have to play on the road in the playoffs. Right now, they would have to go to Denver and face Tebowmania and the Broncos in the first round. Still, that doesn't faze the Steelers. They know how to win in the playoffs.
NFC
1. Green Bay (13-0)
2. San Francisco (10-3)
3. New Orleans (10-3)
4. New York Giants (7-6)
5. Atlanta (8-5)
6. Detroit (8-5)
Next two:
7. Chicago (7-6)
8. Dallas (7-6)
-I think everyone is already looking forward to the possibility of a rematch between Green Bay and New Orleans in the NFC title game. The two teams played a thriller to open the season on a Thursday in Green Bay and the Packers won 42-34. The only question I have is could the Saints win in San Francisco? That field is usually sloppy this time of year and if the weather is bad, that matchup is even. In the Superdome, if New Orleans could get to be the No. 2 seed, I doubt the 49ers could keep up with the Saints.
-I didn't write a direct post about Dallas because the game Sunday just made me too mad. I could just sense once the Giants scored one TD that they would score another and win. The Cowboys had a very good shot to take a stranglehold on the NFC East these past two weeks and screwed up both times. Now, they are fighting for their playoff lives. I think if Dallas can win Saturday against Tampa Bay, it will ensure that the game on Jan. 1 against the Giants in New York will be for the division (as long as the Giants win one of the next two games). Before that Jan. 1 rematch, the Cowboys are at the Bucs then home against the Eagles while the Giants play at home vs. the Redskins and then at the Jets (although it is in New York, so more like a neutral field).
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NOTES
After an exam break, the UVa men's basketball team plays Sunday at Oregon. Also, the college football bowl season begins Saturday and I'll get some picks out there for some of the early bowls.
AFC
1. Houston (10-3)
2. Baltimore (10-3)
3. New England (10-3)
4. Denver (8-5)
5. Pittsburgh (10-3)
6. New York Jets (8-5)
Next two:
7. Tennessee (7-6)
8. Cincinnati (7-6)
-This could be a very strong AFC playoffs. Every team right now in the playoffs would have less than four losses except two, and the two that have more than four losses are not easy outs. The Jets have gone to the AFC championship games two years in a row and the Broncos have won six in a row behind a tough defense and clutch play from Tim Tebow.
-It will be interesting to see what the Texans can do the final three weeks. Right now, they have the conference's top seed and have won seven in a row. Last week, they beat a solid Cincinnati squad despite playing with third-string quarterback TJ Yates. Yates, in fact, led the Texans down the field for the game-winning drive. The Texans play Carolina, Indianapolis, and Tennessee in their final three games so even with Yates at quarterback, I think they stand a good chance at remaining the AFC's top seed. It would make for an interesting dynamic to see the AFC's top team have home field advantage in the playoffs and play with their third string quarterback. The Texans can win, though. They have a rowdy, hungry fan base, No. 1 defense in terms of yardage, and a great running game. If Yates can just manage games, they could still go far in the playoffs.
-The Steelers might very well be my pick to come out of the AFC but those two losses to the Ravens hurt. They will probably end up being the reason why Pittsburgh will be a wild card and have to play on the road in the playoffs. Right now, they would have to go to Denver and face Tebowmania and the Broncos in the first round. Still, that doesn't faze the Steelers. They know how to win in the playoffs.
NFC
1. Green Bay (13-0)
2. San Francisco (10-3)
3. New Orleans (10-3)
4. New York Giants (7-6)
5. Atlanta (8-5)
6. Detroit (8-5)
Next two:
7. Chicago (7-6)
8. Dallas (7-6)
-I think everyone is already looking forward to the possibility of a rematch between Green Bay and New Orleans in the NFC title game. The two teams played a thriller to open the season on a Thursday in Green Bay and the Packers won 42-34. The only question I have is could the Saints win in San Francisco? That field is usually sloppy this time of year and if the weather is bad, that matchup is even. In the Superdome, if New Orleans could get to be the No. 2 seed, I doubt the 49ers could keep up with the Saints.
-I didn't write a direct post about Dallas because the game Sunday just made me too mad. I could just sense once the Giants scored one TD that they would score another and win. The Cowboys had a very good shot to take a stranglehold on the NFC East these past two weeks and screwed up both times. Now, they are fighting for their playoff lives. I think if Dallas can win Saturday against Tampa Bay, it will ensure that the game on Jan. 1 against the Giants in New York will be for the division (as long as the Giants win one of the next two games). Before that Jan. 1 rematch, the Cowboys are at the Bucs then home against the Eagles while the Giants play at home vs. the Redskins and then at the Jets (although it is in New York, so more like a neutral field).
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NOTES
After an exam break, the UVa men's basketball team plays Sunday at Oregon. Also, the college football bowl season begins Saturday and I'll get some picks out there for some of the early bowls.
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