...NFL playoffs. They are only a month and a half or so away, which will go by like nothing. Let's look at the standings through 10 weeks and make some BOLD predictions with 7 left to go.

AFC EAST
Patriots - 9-0-0; remaining v. BUF, PHI, BAL, PIT, NYJ, MIA, NYG
Bills - 5-4-0; remaining v. NE, JAC, WAS, MIA, CLE, NYG, PHI
Jets - 1-8-0; remaining v. PIT, DAL, MIA, CLE, NE, TEN, KC
Dolphins - 0-9-0; remaining v. PHI, PIT, NYJ, BUF, BAL, NE, CIN

AFC NORTH
Steelers - 7-2-0; remaining v. NYJ, MIA, CIN, NE, JAC, STL, BAL
Browns - 5-4-0; remaining v. BAL, HOU, ARI, NYJ, BUF, CIN, SF
Ravens - 4-5-0; remaining v. CLE, SD, NE, IND, MIA, SEA, PIT
Bengals - 3-6-0; remaining v. ARI, TEN, PIT, STL, SF, CLE, MIA

AFC SOUTH
Colts - 7-2-0; remaining v. KC, ATL, JAC, BAL, OAK, HOU, TEN
Jaguars - 6-3-0; remaining v. SD, BUF, IND, CAR, PIT, OAK, HOU
Titans - 6-3-0; remaining v. DEN, CIN, HOU, SD, KC, NYJ, IND
Texans - 4-5-0; remaining v. NO, CLE, TEN, TB, DEN, IND, JAC

AFC WEST
Chargers - 5-4-0; remaining v. JAC, BAL, KC, TEN, DET, DEN, OAK
Broncos - 4-5-0; remaining v. TEN, CHI, OAK, KC, HOU, SD, MIN
Chiefs - 4-5-0; remaining v. IND, OAK, SD, DEN, TEN, DET, NYJ
Raiders - 2-7-0; remaining v. MIN, KC, DEN, GB, IND, JAC, SD

AFC WILD CARD
Jags - 6-3-0
Titans - 6-3-0
Bills - 5-4-0
Browns - 5-4-0

PREDICTIONS
EAST- Patriots -- Will go at LEAST 13-3, and yeah, I'll say it.. maybe 16-0. But they have some tough games in there.
NORTH- Steelers -- Should not give up 2 full games to the Browns; pretty easy schedule minus week 14 v. NE.
SOUTH- Colts -- This has finally become a race. I think the Colts have enough to hang on, but it could come down to a tiebreaker.
WEST- Chargers -- They do not face a top-tier team for the rest of the season and they are beginning to find their game all around.
WILD CARD 1- Jaguars -- Will have something to say about the Colts winning the division, but ultimately they will be a wild card team.
WILD CARD 2- Browns -- The lowly Cleveland Browns are quietly putting up big numbers behind Derek Anderson and will squeak into wild card spot over TEN.



NFC EAST
Cowboys - 8-1-0; remaining v. WAS, NYJ, GB, DET, PHI, CAR, WAS
Giants - 6-3-0; remaining v. DET, MIN, CHI, PHI, WAS, BUF, NE
Redskins - 5-4-0; remaining v. DAL, TB, BUF, CHI, NYG, MIN, DAL
Eagles - 4-5-0; remaining v. MIA, NE, SEA, NYG, DAL, NO, BUF

NFC NORTH
Packers - 8-1-0; remaining v. CAR, DET, DAL, OAK, STL, CHI, DET
Lions - 6-3-0; remaining v. NYG, GB, MIN, DAL, SD, KC, GB
Bears - 4-5-0; remaining v. SEA, DEN, NYG, WAS, MIN, GB, NO
Vikings - 3-6-0; remaining v. OAK, NYG, DET, SF, CHI, WAS, DEN

NFC SOUTH
Buccaneers - 5-4-0; remaining v. ATL, WAS, NO, HOU, ATL, SF, CAR
Panthers - 4-5-0; remaining v. GB, NO, SF, JAC, SEA, DAL, TB
Saints - 4-5-0; remaining v. HOU, CAR, TB, ATL, ARI, PHI, CHI
Falcons - 3-6-0; remaining v. TB, IND, STL, NO, TB, ARI, SEA

NFC WEST
Seahawks - 5-4-0; remaining v. CHI, STL, PHI, ARI, CAR, BAL, ATL
Cardinals - 4-5-0; remaining v. CIN, SF, CLE, SEA, NO, ATL, STL
49ers - 2-7-0; remaining v. STL, ARI, CAR, MIN, CIN, TB, CLE
Rams - 1-8-0; remaining v. SF, SEA, ATL, CIN, GB, PIT, ARI

NFC WILD CARD
Giants - 6-3-0
Lions - 6-3-0
Redskins - 5-4-0
Eagles/Cardinals/Panthers/Saints/Bears - 4-5-0

PREDICTIONS
EAST- Cowboys -- Should win at least 4/7 remaining games; Giants could do the same, but it won't be enough.
NORTH- Packers -- Favre gets DET secondary twice, both games they will win, could realistically run the table.
SOUTH- Buccaneers -- By far the easiest schedule of any division leader; Garcia will push them single-handedly to at least 3 wins, rest of team will win 1 or 2 more.
WEST- Cardinals -- Have the offense to win 4-5 of remaining games, and that's at least 2 more than the 'Hawks will win.
WILD CARD 1- Giants -- Should win 4/7 and fall just short of division title.
WILD CARD 2- Saints -- Going out on a limb here. Saints CAN win at least 5 of these games. SHOULD win 4.

"Lemme tell you somethin' you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a mean, ugly, nasty place. And I don't care how tough you are, it will beat you down to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it! You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. How much you can take, and keep moving forward."
-Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa, Rocky Balboa, 2006.

Patriots is a lock to be in and homefield advantage in at least the second round.
I think Steelers will win their division.
Not sure about the Colts division anymore, but I think the Colts, Jaguars, and Texans will make the playoffs.
I think the AFC West is a tossup as well. Either Chargers or Broncos will win division. Chargers last two weeks have not been impressive. I think they only have two offensive touchdowns in the last two weeks.

Cowboys will win the NFC East, and get homefield advantage in at least the second round.
Packers will win their division, and also get homefield advantage in at least the second round.
I'm going with the Saints in the NFC South
Seattle Seahawks by default in the NFC West
New York Giants and Detroit Lions will be the wild cards.

Don't think the Packers will just roll the Lions over, oh no no..we've been waiting for a year to shove shit in Farve's face, if there was ever a year to do it, it's now. i predict the LIONS make the playoffs, probably a wildcard.

as for the rest, i don't pay attention to until about week 14 or 15

With 4 games left going into today (for every team but 2), the bolded text will discuss the most far-fetched scenarios for a certain team to win division.

AFC EAST
Patriots - 12-0-0; remaining v. PIT, NYJ, MIA, NYG; clinched division
Bills - 6-6-0; remaining v. MIA, CLE, NYG, PHI
Jets - 3-9-0; remaining v. CLE, NE, TEN, KC
Dolphins - 0-12-0; remaining v. BUF, BAL, NE, CIN

AFC NORTH
Steelers - 9-3-0; remaining v. NE, JAC, STL, BAL; can clinch division with win & Browns loss
Browns - 7-5-0; remaining v. NYJ, BUF, CIN, SF; need to run the table and have Steelers go 1-3 to win division
Ravens - 4-8-0; remaining v. IND, MIA, SEA, PIT
Bengals - 4-8-0; remaining v. STL, SF, CLE, MIA

AFC SOUTH
Colts - 10-2-0; remaining v. BAL, OAK, HOU, TEN; can clinch division with win & Jags loss
Jaguars - 8-4-0; remaining v. CAR, PIT, OAK, HOU; need to go either 3-1 (and have Colts go 0-4) or 4-0 (and have Colts go no better than 1-3) to win division
Titans - 7-5-0; remaining v. SD, KC, NYJ, IND; need to run the table, have Jags go no better than 2-2, AND have Colts go 0-4 to win division
Texans - 5-7-0; remaining v. TB, DEN, IND, JAC

AFC WEST
Chargers - 7-5-0; remaining v. TEN, DET, DEN, OAK; can clinch division with win & Broncos loss
Broncos - 5-7-0; remaining v. KC, HOU, SD, MIN; need to go either 4-0 (and have Chargers go no better than 1-3) or 3-1 (and have Chargers go 0-4) to win division
Chiefs - 4-8-0; remaining v. DEN, TEN, DET, NYJ; need to run the table, have Broncos go no better than 2-2 AND have Chargers go 0-4 to win division
Raiders - 4-8-0; remaining v. GB, IND, JAC, SD; need to run the table, have Chiefs go no better than 3-1, have Broncos go no better than 2-2, AND have Chargers go 0-4 to win division

AFC WILD CARD (bolded teams are predictions)
Jags - 8-4-0; one-game advantage is HUGE in AFC Wild Card picture
Browns - 7-5-0; have the easiest remaining schedule -- don't face a team north of .500
Titans - 7-5-0; expect CLE to go at least 2-2, TEN faces SD and Indy, needs to win one of those + 2 to make it
Bills - 6-6-0; need to go 3-1 at worst and hope 2 of Jags/Titans/Browns melt down
Broncos - 5-7-0; need to run the table and hope for the best
Texans - 5-7-0; see Broncos, but they also need the Broncos to not run the table


NFC EAST
Cowboys - 11-1-0; remaining v. DET, PHI, CAR, WAS; win and they're in
Giants - 8-4-0; remaining v. PHI, WAS, BUF, NE; need to run the table and have Cowboys go 0-4 to win division
Redskins - 6-7-0; remaining v. NYG, MIN, DAL
Eagles - 5-7-0; remaining v. NYG, DAL, NO, BUF

NFC NORTH
Packers - 10-2-0; remaining v. OAK, STL, CHI, DET; clinch division with win OR Vikings & Lions loss
Vikings - 6-6-0; remaining v. SF, CHI, WAS, DEN; need to run the table and have Packers go 0-4 to have a chance
Lions - 6-6-0; remaining v. DAL, SD, KC, GB; need to run the table, have Vikings go no better than 3-1 AND have Packers go 0-4 to have a chance
Bears - 5-8-0; remaining v. MIN, GB, NO

NFC SOUTH
Buccaneers - 8-4-0; remaining v. HOU, ATL, SF, CAR; clinch division with win OR Panthers & Saints loss
Panthers - 5-7-0; remaining v. JAC, SEA, DAL, TB; need to run the table & have Bucs go 0-4 to win division
Saints - 5-7-0; remaining v. ATL, ARI, PHI, CHI; need to run the table, have Panthers go no better than 3-1 AND have Bucs go 0-4 to win division
Falcons - 3-9-0; remaining v. NO, TB, ARI, SEA

NFC WEST
Seahawks - 8-4-0; remaining v. ARI, CAR, BAL, ATL; can clinch with win & Cardinals loss
Cardinals - 6-6-0; remaining v. SEA, NO, ATL, STL; need to go either 3-1 (and have Seahawks go 0-4) or 4-0 (and have Seahawks go no better than 1-3) to win division
49ers - 3-9-0; remaining v. MIN, CIN, TB, CLE
Rams - 3-9-0; remaining v. CIN, GB, PIT, ARI

NFC WILD CARD (bolded teams are predictions)
Giants - 8-4-0; only need 2 wins to clinch, but I don't like their remaining sched
Cardinals - 6-6-0; best team remaining is SEA, but I like the Cards to win -- could go 4-0 down the stretch
Lions - 6-6-0; two 10-win teams and LT left on their schedule -- the Lions are done, will not reach 10 wins
Vikings - 6-6-0; playing their best ball of the season, don't face a .500 team, MVPeterson + TJax... pretty simple math, Vikes go 4-0
Redskins - 6-7-0; need to run the table and have everyone ahead of them fall apart, which won't hapen
Panthers - 5-7-0; second-hardest remaining sched (behind Lions), can't be done
Saints - 5-7-0; Bush could be done for the year, BUT, relatively-easy remaining sched leaves hopes alive
Eagles - 5-7-0; No -- Philly will win this week, BUT they won't beat Dallas

"Lemme tell you somethin' you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a mean, ugly, nasty place. And I don't care how tough you are, it will beat you down to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it! You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. How much you can take, and keep moving forward."
-Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa, Rocky Balboa, 2006.

SO, all-in-all, here's what happened this week:
==========
-AFC East: Pats were already in, but won.
-AFC North: Steelers loss coupled with Browns win makes things a little more interesting there. Browns just one game back.
-AFC South: Colts and Jags win, Titans lose; Titans out of division hunt, Jags stay alive but barely.
-AFC West: Chargers & Broncos win, Chiefs & Raiders lose; the latter 2 eliminated from division hunt, Broncos barely alive.
-AFC WC: Titans lose and drop back; Bills, Broncs and Texans all win, but might be too little too late.
==========
-NFC East: Cowboys clinch division after pulling one out over the lowly Lions, Giants eliminated from division hunt.
-NFC North: Packers clinch division after beating up on the Raiders, Vikings & Lions eliminated from division hunt.
-NFC South: Bucs & Panthers lose, so Panthers are out; Saints barely breathing, exciting Monday Nighter coming up.
-NFC West: Seahawks clinch division after beating Cardinals.
-NFC WC: Giants/Vikes/Redskins winners, Cards/Lions/Panthers/Eagles lose; Eagles & Panthers out, Cards/Lions still mathematically alive.

"Lemme tell you somethin' you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a mean, ugly, nasty place. And I don't care how tough you are, it will beat you down to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it! You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. How much you can take, and keep moving forward."
-Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa, Rocky Balboa, 2006.

Cleveland is technically two out. They lost twice against Pittsburgh. For wild card, I now think it will be Jacksonville, and Cleveland, although the Cleveland pick could still change. In the NFC, I think Giants and Vikings.

AFC EAST
Patriots - 13-0-0; remaining v. NYJ, MIA, NYG; clinched division
Bills - 7-6-0; remaining v. CLE, NYG, PHI
Jets - 3-10-0; remaining v. NE, TEN, KC
Dolphins - 0-13-0; remaining v. BAL, NE, CIN

AFC NORTH
Steelers - 9-4-0; remaining v. JAC, STL, BAL; win and they're in
Browns - 8-5-0; remaining v. BUF, CIN, SF; need to run the table AND have Steelers go 1-2 to win division
Bengals - 5-8-0; remaining v. SF, CLE, MIA
Ravens - 4-9-0; remaining v. MIA, SEA, PIT

AFC SOUTH
Colts - 11-2-0; remaining v. OAK, HOU, TEN; can clinch division with win OR Jags loss
Jaguars - 9-4-0; remaining v. PIT, OAK, HOU; need to run the table AND have Colts go 0-3 to win division
Titans - 7-6-0; remaining v. KC, NYJ, IND
Texans - 6-7-0; remaining v. DEN, IND, JAC

AFC WEST
Chargers - 8-5-0; remaining v. DET, DEN, OAK; can clinch division with win OR Broncos loss
Broncos - 6-7-0; remaining v. HOU, SD, MIN; need to run the table AND have Chargers go 0-3 to win division
Raiders - 4-9-0; remaining v. IND, JAC, SD
Chiefs - 4-9-0; remaining v. TEN, DET, NYJ

AFC WILD CARD (bolded teams are predictions)
Jags - 9-4-0; future is in their own hands, win and they're in
Browns - 8-5-0; have favourable schedule ahead, but still might need 2-of-3 to get in
Titans - 7-6-0; future is bleak if they don't run the table
Bills - 7-6-0; future is bleakER if they don't run the table, or if they run the table and so does Tennessee


NFC EAST
Cowboys - 12-1-0; remaining v. PHI, CAR, WAS; clinched division
Giants - 9-4-0; remaining v. WAS, BUF, NE
Redskins - 6-7-0; remaining v. NYG, MIN, DAL
Eagles - 5-8-0; remaining v. DAL, NO, BUF

NFC NORTH
Packers - 11-2-0; remaining v. STL, CHI, DET; clinched division
Vikings - 7-6-0; remaining v. CHI, WAS, DEN
Lions - 6-7-0; remaining v. SD, KC, GB
Bears - 5-8-0; remaining v. MIN, GB, NO

NFC SOUTH
Buccaneers - 8-5-0; remaining v. ATL, SF, CAR; win and they're in
Saints - 6-7-0; remaining v. ARI, PHI, CHI; need to run the table AND have Bucs go 0-3 to win division
Panthers - 5-8-0; remaining v. SEA, DAL, TB; need to run the table, have Saints go no better than 1-2, AND have Bucs go 0-3 to win division
Falcons - 3-10-0; remaining v. TB, ARI, SEA

NFC WEST
Seahawks - 9-4-0; remaining v. CAR, BAL, ATL; clinched division
Cardinals - 6-7-0; remaining v. NO, ATL, STL
49ers - 3-10-0; remaining v. CIN, TB, CLE
Rams - 3-10-0; remaining v. GB, PIT, ARI

NFC WILD CARD (bolded teams are predictions)
Giants - 9-4-0; have not mathematically clinched but need a win or a loss from any team below them basically to do so
Vikings - 7-6-0; should stay where they are with remaining sched -- excited to see MVPeterson in playoff atmosphere
Cardinals - 6-7-0; holding out for the best with 3 winable games left
Lions - 6-7-0; team is reeling and I can't see it stopping against SD or the Pack -- should beat KC though
Redskins - 6-7-0; lost their QB last week -- see them losing 2 remaining games at best
Saints - 6-7-0; not out of div. race yet but need Aaron Stecker to be huge down the stretch to see January ball
Eagles - 5-8-0; out of division, need to sweep and have inconceivable help to make it
Panthers - 5-8-0; see: Eagles, and this team can't do it

"Lemme tell you somethin' you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a mean, ugly, nasty place. And I don't care how tough you are, it will beat you down to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it! You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. How much you can take, and keep moving forward."
-Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa, Rocky Balboa, 2006.

AFC EAST
Patriots - 14-0-0; remaining v. MIA, NYG; clinched division when Mike Vick was still free
Bills - 7-7-0; remaining v. NYG, PHI
Jets - 3-11-0; remaining v. TEN, KC
Dolphins - 1-13-0; remaining v. NE, CIN

AFC NORTH (whole new ballgame)
Steelers - 9-5-0; remaining v. STL, BAL; hold tiebreaker v. Browns -- need to win to put pressure on
Browns - 9-5-0; remaining v. CIN, SF; need to win one more than the Steelers to win division
Bengals - 5-9-0; remaining v. CLE, MIA
Ravens - 4-10-0; remaining v. SEA, PIT

AFC SOUTH
Colts - 12-2-0; remaining v. HOU, TEN; clinched strongest division in AFC
Jaguars - 10-4-0; remaining v. OAK, HOU
Titans - 8-6-0; remaining v. NYJ, IND
Texans - 7-7-0; remaining v. IND, JAC

AFC WEST
Chargers - 9-5-0; remaining v. DEN, OAK; clinched division
Broncos - 6-8-0; remaining v. SD, MIN
Raiders - 4-10-0; remaining v. JAC, SD
Chiefs - 4-10-0; remaining v. DET, NYJ

AFC WILD CARD (bolded teams are predictions)
Jags - 10-4-0; all but clinched WC spot
Browns - 9-5-0; hitting hard and playing strong
Titans - 8-6-0; did their job last week, should be able to repeat and pressure Browns
Bills - 7-7-0; still mathematically alive
Texans - 7-7-0; still mathematically alive


NFC EAST
Cowboys - 12-2-0; remaining v. CAR, WAS; clinched division
Giants - 9-5-0; remaining v. BUF, NE
Redskins - 7-7-0; remaining v. MIN, DAL
Eagles - 6-8-0; remaining v. NO, BUF

NFC NORTH
Packers - 12-2-0; remaining v. CHI, DET; clinched division
Vikings - 8-6-0; remaining v. WAS, DEN
Lions - 6-8-0; remaining v. KC, GB
Bears - 5-9-0; remaining v. GB, NO

NFC SOUTH
Buccaneers - 9-5-0; remaining v. SF, CAR; clinched division
Saints - 7-7-0; remaining v. PHI, CHI
Panthers - 6-8-0; remaining v. DAL, TB
Falcons - 3-11-0; remaining v. ARI, SEA

NFC WEST
Seahawks - 9-5-0; remaining v. BAL, ATL; clinched division
Cardinals - 6-8-0; remaining v. ATL, STL
49ers - 4-10-0; remaining v. TB, CLE
Rams - 3-11-0; remaining v. PIT, ARI

NFC WILD CARD (bolded teams are predictions)
Giants - 9-5-0; haven't clinched, but will see football post-Week 17
Vikings - 8-6-0; 5-game win streak
Redskins - 7-7-0; impressive win last week, and not mathematically eliminated
Saints - 7-7-0; STILL need Aaron Stecker to be huge down the stretch to see January ball
Panthers - 6-8-0; still alive IF they win out AND Vikings lose remaining games due to tiebreaking Conf. record
Cardinals - 6-8-0; ELIMINATED

"Lemme tell you somethin' you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a mean, ugly, nasty place. And I don't care how tough you are, it will beat you down to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it! You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. How much you can take, and keep moving forward."
-Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa, Rocky Balboa, 2006.

At this time of year, the real shit is taking place in the Wild Card races. That's where we're gonna start.



AFC Wild Card
WC1: Jags - 11-4-0
WC2: Browns - 9-6-0
Outside looking in: Titans - 9-6-0

What has to happen: The Jags are in, so there's no point in looking at that. For Tennessee to boot the Browns out of the WC spot, they must win and have the Browns lose. A tiebreaker does not help because goes like this: head-to-head (not applicable because they didn't play), W-L-T within conference (currently held by CLE, 7-5 vs. 6-5 for TEN). Tennesse cannot improve on this because their last game (vs. SF) is out-of-conference.

Scenarios
CLE wins, TEN wins -- CLE wins WC2
CLE wins, TEN loses -- CLE wins WC2
CLE loses, TEN loses -- CLE wins WC2
CLE loses, TEN wins -- TEN wins WC2

NFC Wild Card
WC1: Giants - 10-5-0
WC2: Redskins - 8-7-0
Outside looking in: Vikings - 8-7-0 / Saints - 7-8-0

What has to happen: Giants have clinched. The Redskins hold the tiebreaker over the Vikings via their Week 16 win, but the Saints are still alive because they hold the tiebreaker over both teams. As such, if the Saints win and both the Vikes and Skins lose, then the Saints improbably make it. The Skins have it easiest -- if they win, they are in; if they tie, the are in if the Vikes tie or lose; if the lose but the Vikes and Saints both lose, they are in. In the middle is the Vikes -- they are in only if they win & the Skins lose or tie, or if they tie and the Skins lose. Got all that? I'm not doing the scenarios because it's 3:15 in the morning. Watch the games!



Will the Pats go 16-0?
Will we see Vince Young in the playoffs?
Will we see Reggie Bush again this season?
TUNE IN SATURDAY THRU MONDAY TO FIND OUT!

"Lemme tell you somethin' you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a mean, ugly, nasty place. And I don't care how tough you are, it will beat you down to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it! You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. How much you can take, and keep moving forward."
-Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa, Rocky Balboa, 2006.