On the Bubble

Going into Week 17 the NFL Playoff picture is pretty clear now.  Atlanta is the number one seed in the NFC and New England is 13-2 with home field advantage throughout the playoffs in the AFC.  Pittsburgh will look to clinch the second seed in the AFC against Cleveland on Sunday, while Chicago already has its second seed and bye locked.  Kansas City is in, so are the Jets and Ravens (who still have a chance to win the AFC North with a Steelers loss).  The Saints will look to repeat and the Eagles have the third seed in the AFC.

This much we know so far, but there are still three spots up for grabs going into the final week of the season.  There are four teams in a win and you’re in scenario (non-contingent on help from other teams).  The Packers and Colts were a lot of experts picks to play in the Super Bowl.  But, neither have secured their spot in the playoffs yet.  Green Bay has a showdown against the  the division rival Bears at 4:15.  Chicago’s coach Lovie Smith says he will play his starters, as they will try to eliminate an Aaron Rodger’s led team in a season where he has already thrown for 4097 passing yards.  Peyton Manning has thrown for 4615 yards this season (3rd in the NFL).  His Colts, like Green Bay, are also 9-6 and just need to defeat the struggling Tennessee Tiatns in order to qualify for the playoffs.

Also, someone must make the playoffs in the NFC West.  With that being said the 7-8 Rams led by rookie QB Sam Bradford face off against 6-9 Seattle, who has Charlie Whitehurst going into his second start on  a Sunday Night game (the last of the regualr season).  Bradford may be the rookie of the year and Rams running back Stephen Jackson is 9th in the league in rushing with 1244 yards.  The Seahawks advantage is in the fact that this game will be played in Seattle and overall they are the more veteran team.  Whoever wins this game will host a wildcard playoff game, even though neither will be above .500.

There are also a couple of other teams that are depending on either the Colts or Packers to lose to get in.  The Giants are 9-6 and play Washington on Sunday.  Even though they just lost to Green Bay last week and the Eagles the week before, they and the Bucaneers need the Pack to lose to have a chance to make it in the playoffs.  Jacksonville can still win the AFC South with a Colts loss.  Unfortunately, for the Jags it doesn’t look like David Garrard is going to start and they will have to beat Houston with Buffalo cast-off Trent Edwards.

So in review if the Colts and Packers win and they’re in.  Either the Seahawks or Rams will be in with a win.  Tampa Bay, Jacksonville and  the Giants all have outside chances of getting in (but must win).  Does everyone got it?  Good.