With a handful of games remaining, the NFL is looking like the BCS. Completely unpredictable from week-to-week. Following the Jets crushing victory on the road over the previously unbeaten Titans, and the tightness in most division races, no one is safe and the playoff picture is blurrier than ever. The Pats and Colts have come alive, and are looking like serious contenders, while the Titans look much less attractive following their inaugural loss of the season, although they still carry a two-game lead in the AFC.
Behind the dominant Giants is a slew of capable, but inconsistent challengers in the NFC, including three teams from the hotly contested NFC South: the Bucs, Panthers, and the Falcons. Aside from the Cardinals, Giants, and Titans, every other division leader is still in a dogfight, while the wildcard picture has been totally blown up. It appears that contenders should be shooting for 10 wins for playoff consideration, and will possibly need 11 just to secure a wild card berth. Here is a look at the top five teams entering week 13 of the 2008 NFL Season, and a few that didn’t make the cut.
New York Giants (10-1) – The Giants are the most consistent team in football and win with a solid combination of tough running, timely passing, and aggressive defense. The Giants will be a tough test for any NFC foe in the playoffs, particularly at the Meadowlands. The Giants are in the driver’s seat, but certainly have a long way to go to make it to Tampa.
Tennessee Titans (10-1) – Many people are leaping off the Titans bandwagon after they were terminated by t he Jets last weekend, but this could be a blessing in disguise for the Titans. Look at what happen to the 16-0 Pats last year. If nothing else, now that the pressure and possibility of an undefeated season is gone, the Titans can get back to winning football games, and dominating the interior line, something that was missing in the Jets game. Jeff Fisher is a great coach, and with their tough defense, and punishing running attack, the Titans can still make a push for the Super Bowl.
New York Jets (8-3) – Mike McCarthy and the Packers front-office must be feeling really silly right now after shooing Brett Favre out the door for him only to turn the Jets, who mind you were a woeful 4-12 just a season ago, into a Super-Bowl Contender, while Aaron Rodgers with little help from Ryan Grant or the Green Bay defense, has turned last year’s 13-3 mark into an unimpressive 5-6 team, virtually already eliminated from the NFC playoff picture. The Jets could win 12 games and earn a bye before playing at home in the divisional round. With Brett Favre at the helm, the defense playing lights out, and a top-notch running-back tandem, the sky is the limit for the resurgent Jets.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-3) – The Bucs are not getting much praise despite a stifling defense and an ample offensive attack. The NFC South is the best division in football (not the NFC East) and is being overlooked, being replaced by teams like the Cardinals, Redskins, and Cowboys as the true playoff threats. The Bucs crushed the Panthers 27-3 in Carolina a few weeks ago, and are about to embark on a three-game division run that will ultimately make or break their division title dreams. They will win two of those three games and win the division, finishing 11-5. Don’t be shocked if the Bucs are playing at home in February.
New England Patriots (7-4) - Bill Belichick has done it again. Matt Cassell is playing like Dan Marino, throwing for over 400 yards the past two weeks, and if the veteran defense can step up, and the running game gets going, the Pats will be hard to beat in January. The division is in question, but a 11-5 finish, or possibly even a 10-6 mark could earn the Pats a game in Foxboro in the playoffs.
Teams on the Brink
Arizona Cardinals – The Cardinals are fun to watch, and the wide-out combo of Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald could be the best ever. The problem is they can’t beat the best teams in the league. Their defense and running game will net them a quick exit in the playoffs.
Dallas Cowboys – The Cowboys could be dangerous in the playoffs if the high-payroll defense can stop anyone, but it will be a struggle for “America’s Team” just to clinch a playoff berth in a very competitive conference.
Carolina Panthers – The Panthers are incredibly inconsistent, despite a solid record, and they are unlikely to beat the Bucs in Tampa. Defense and a good running game wins championships, and right now the Panthers defense and running attack is not championship-caliber.
