yeah, I am a bit behind, but for a reason. That reason was, I was tired of the constant moving around of teams, and wanted to give some time for somethings to finally settle out. It seems we may just be getting there.
pretty much, most of the divisions are locked up, a few can still be contested, but I think most of the playoff teams are established, the only real fights are for WC's in both conf.
So lets talk issues:
AFC:
East - as expected, NE is still undefeated.................wait hang on.....not only are they not undefeated, they have lost.....twice and one of those was to the EAGLES!!! Oh the shame!! But fear not NE fans, with a three game lead, they will win the AFC East division.
Side note - I have seen a ton of talk on how Brady deserves the MVP this year. I will only say this, what is the key piece that was different from the undefeated Pats vs. the 2 loss Pats------------------Gronk. Not Brady Gronk. Even when he was not scoring like crazy, defenses had to account for him. Not saying Gronk deserves it, I am saying I don't think Brady does.
Who in the AFC does? I would argue Dalton for Cincy has as much to say as Brady. Yeah, he has to win in the post season, but he has made the offense really click in Cincy. But he doesn't have my vote either. Who gets my vote? Osweiler. Why? Denver was fading fast with an injured Manning at the helm. While Osy was not the end all, he is running the offense to perfection, and letting the play makers win the game, while giving that studly defense the rest it needs. HE has saved this season for Denver, and won't get the credit he deserves.
Okay now onto the rest of the AFC....
North- Bengals lock up the north with a win over Pittsburgh. IF they lose, they can still lock the division, but their hopes of the #1 seed may be dead if they lose. This could very well be the NFL game of the week, as Pittsburgh must win to keep alive in the division and the playoffs.
South - No one wants to win it, no one wants to win it..... This division, and the NFC East are just disgusting. Still, we have to talk it. The sad part is I still say the winners of both these divisions will have worse records than the WCs, and still get a better seed. What a mess. Colts have Jags, Texans(key game here), Dophins and Titans left. Texans have: Patriots(yikes), Colts, Titans and Jags. With both 6-6, I see Houston losing to Pats, and colts effectively eliminating them. However, watch out for the Jags, if they can beat both Houston and colts, they could be in the running. But it still looks like the Colts to lose...or ahem...win here.
West - Denver, but the Chiefs are back and nasty on Def. Plus A.Smith has suddenly learned he can throw deep to Maclin....WOW!
WC in AFC looks like Jets and Chiefs, but Pittsburgh and Bills still have shots.
NFC
South - has any team, so limited in talent, been so dominant before? Cam has made this team and incredible Cinderella story. With practically no Wrs(sorry Ginn is NOT a Wr, he is a return guy) and a studly TE and a servicable Rb, Cam has matured, taken the reins and run this team. To me he is a clear candidate for MVP, as the Panthers would be nothing without him, studly defense or not. With two games against the Falcons coming, this year is locked up, and the #1 seed is locked up.
So, now the moral question.....what is more important............. Undefeated season, or Winning the Super Bowl? Time has come to talk this, do you keep running Cam and Co. out there, and risk major injury...or do you start to put in back ups, lose some games, but keep yourself safe for the playoffs and superbowl? To me I would seriously start resting players....as your job is safe with titles. Not with maybe undefeated seasons. Just me though...
North - Don't look now, but we have had a Packers sighting. They are back tied for the division, but I am sorry, I watched the Detroit game, and the Packers deserved to lose, not win. I think Minny still has a shot, but they too are not looking bullet proof. Either way, both should make playoffs, one as division champ and one as WC. As much as I love AP, I think GB figures it out, and wins the division, with Minny as the WC.
West - Arizona has a death lock here, and I don't see them losing the division, even though Seattle has turned it around. IF Carolina decides to rest players, they still have a shot to get to #1 seed, but looks like #2 is the slot they get.
East - OMG just yuck, I am an Eagles fan, and just yuck. None of the NFC East teams deserve the playoffs, none. However, as it is, if Eagles win out, they win the division. Fate is in their hands now. God help us all. OH, and Demarco Murray is bitching to the owner, see ya DeMarco....been nice having you on the Eagles, bench for rest of season. Go Matthews.
WC I think is pretty much locked here, Atlanta is in free fall, so look for Vikings and Seahawks as the Wcs, with maybe Packers if Minny takes the North.
Prediction - any WC will beat the NFC East team in first round of playoffs. Book it.
