By Mike Murabito, Staff Writer
It is that time of year again. The NFL regular season is winding down, and that means it is crunch time for the teams fighting to secure a playoff spot. Both conferences can boast an undefeated team (New Orleans, Indianapolis), and the Chargers, Bengals, Vikings, and Cardinals can almost taste the postseason.
But the remaining three spots in each conference are still anyone’s guess. With four weeks left, now is the time for squads to tune up their offense and power their defense. No competing team wants to be left out come January 4t. So, who’s in? Who’s out? Is your favorite team a pretender or contender?
AFC (records entering Week 14)
New England Patriots (7-5): Bill Belichick’s once dynastic team is now barely clinging onto a division title that a few weeks ago everyone and their sister considered a lock for New England. A soft remaining schedule should secure the Pats the AFC East crown, yet I don’t know if they will do much of anything in the playoffs. Then again, I’d take Tom Brady in January any day of the week. CONTENDER
Denver Broncos (8-4): By winning their first six games, the Broncos certainly appeared as a force to be reckoned with in the AFC. But what seemed as almost on cue, Denver then dropped four in a row to continue their midseason failures like year’s past. Two consecutive big wins have landed the Broncos right back in the thick of things. I doubt they will catch San Diego for the AFC West title, yet an easy schedule to the finish line makes it hard for Denver to miss the playoffs. CONTENDER
Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6): What has happened to the Super Bowl XLIII champions? They seemed poised to defend their title, yet a recent four game losing streak including losses to the Chiefs and Raiders have really raised some eyebrows around the league. It won’t be easy, for three of their last four games are against teams without a losing record. But, I’ve seen this team down too many times, and they are the defending champs for a reason. Right? CONTENDER
New York Jets (6-6): Unfortunately, Gang Green’s tough remaining schedule will damper their playoff hopes. Rookie coach Rex Ryan can look back at some miscues this year that cost the Jets a few wins. Mark Sanchez has done a decent job commanding the offense as a first year player, and these last four games will allow him to gain experience and grow as a quarterback. Maybe next year. PRETENDER
OTHER PRETENDERS: Jaguars (7-5), Dolphins (6-6), Ravens (6-6 or 7-5), Titans (5-7), Texans (5-7)
NFC (records entering Week 14)
New York Giants (7-5): The Giants finally did something last Sunday that I almost considered impossible to happen again in 2009, beat a good team in the Cowboys. Thanks to a clutch defense and a great showing by Brandon Jacobs (finally), the G-Men now hold the tie breaker over rival Dallas. This sets up a crucial Week 14 matchup against a Philadelphia team that slaughtered Big Blue earlier this year. Yet, this game will be played at Giants Stadium, and a win for the Giants would set up the perfect opportunity for another division crown. If the team we saw Sunday continues to show up, then New York is playoff bound. If not, the Giants will fall victim to another midseason collapse. CONTENDER
Dallas Cowboys (8-4): Dallas was given the perfect opportunity to end the Giant’s hope of making the playoffs, yet as we have seen countless times before, the overhyped Cowboys couldn’t win the big game. And with games against San Diego, New Orleans, and Philadelphia still remaining, Wade Phillips and his squad are going to have to learn how to win those big games fast. We all know how well Tony Romo does in December, and because of this, Dallas has a better chance of playing themselves out of the playoffs than clinching a spot. That’s why we play 16 games. PRETENDER
Philadelphia Eagles (8-4): The Eagles have been one of the most inconsistent teams to suit up all year. One week, they slaughter the Panthers and the next they lose to the bottom dweller Raiders. Yet, Donavan McNabb is still one of the most clutch quarterbacks in the NFL. Their remaining opponents are all winnable games, but I think it will come down to Week 17 against Dallas. McNabb’s experience and game management will outmatch the unproven Tony Romo the second time around. CONTENDER
Green Bay Packers (8-4 or 7-5): Aaron Rodgers has really emerged in this offense, and the Pack is having a steady season. A large number of young guns are complemented well with the core of veteran players. The fans playoffs indeed will have the cheese heads back in it for 2009. CONTENDER
OTHER PRETENDERS: Falcons (5-7), Panthers (5-7), Seahawks (5-7), 49ers (5-7)
