There's only four games remaining in the regular season. And in all reality there's no reason that all of these teams featured on this site shouldn't make the playoffs. But simply resting on their laurels and hoping that other teams falter won't help them reach the post-season. Each of these teams is on the brink, and it will take determination and heart to make sure they don't fall off the cliff.
The Jaguars and Bengals both suffered through a disappointing first half. But by coming up big last week, they're both locked in a 5-way tie for the last two wildcard spots. And as the Steelers proved last year shoring up that last spot can be the difference between going home and hoisting a trophy.
The Panthers find themselves in a slightly different situation. After choking away a game to the Eagles on Monday Night, they cost themselves the opportunity to be the front-runner in the NFC wildcard race. Now at 6-6, they've planted themselves in the midst of a 4-way tie for the wildcard spots. Nobody is going to hand them a trip to the playoffs, so the Panthers will need to be more than just mediocre to get to the dance.
And finally, there's the Saints. It seems like they're always the team that doesn't fit with the article's theme. Usually it was because I was talking playoffs, and they were out of the picture by Week 1. But this season they're "On The Brink" of winning their division and possibly heading to the Super Bowl. (How's that for making the theme fit?) As long as they keep their eyes on the goal and not the standings, this team, the definition of perseverance, is on track for a long, fun ride.
So that's the scenarios. I guess we'll just have to wait and see how things play out over the next four weeks. Hopefully, I'll be talking about my "second teams'" first-ever sweep, with all four teams getting in. Check out the annual "Playoff Preview" to find out...
Predictions:
NFC NORTH:
1. Bears
2. Vikings
3. Lions
4. Packers
NFC SOUTH:
1. Saints
2. Falcons
3. Panthers
4. Buccaneers
NFC EAST:
1. Cowboys
2. Giants
3. Eagles
4. Redskins
NFC WEST:
1. Seahawks
2. 49ers
3. Rams
4. Cardinals
NFC SEEDING:
1. Bears
2. Cowboys
3. Saints
4. Seahawks
5. Eagles
6. Falcons
AFC NORTH:
1. Ravens
2. Bengals
3. Steelers
4. Browns
AFC SOUTH:
1. Colts
2. Jaguars
3. Titans
4. Texans
AFC EAST:
1. Patriots
2. Jets
3. Dolphins
4. Bills
AFC WEST:
1. Chargers
2. Broncos
3. Chiefs
4. Raiders
AFC SEEDING:
1. Colts
2. Patriots
3. Chargers
4. Ravens
5. Bengals
6. Jets
NFC PLAYOFFS:
Wildcard Round:
Saints over Falcons, Seahawks over Eagles
Divisional Round:
Seahawks over Bears, Cowboys over Saints
NFC Championship:
Cowboys over Seahawks
AFC PLAYOFFS:
Wildcard Round:
Chargers over Jets, Bengals over Ravens
Divisional Round:
Colts over Bengals, Patriots over Chargers
AFC Championship
Patriots over Colts
SUPERBOWL XLI:
Patriots over Cowboys
