There’s an expression that you can’t compete with Santa Claus. Depending on when this is published, it’s either Festivus (December 23rd), or Christmas Eve. This week’s report is going to be short and sweet.
We are down to two weeks in the NFL season, and 10 out of 14 playoff teams are set. There are two spots left in the AFC and the NFC.
These are the eliminated teams with nothing but pride left in the season. Most are just playing out the string, but the Titans, Bengals, Falcons, Saints, and Vikings are showing some heart…with each team winning this weekend.
- NEW YORK GIANTS
- LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
- ARIZONA CARDINALS
- CLEVELAND BROWNS
- NEW YORK JETS
- TENNESSEE TITANS
- WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
- KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
- MIAMI DOLPHINS
- CINCINNATI BENGALS
- ATLANTA FALCONS
- NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
- DALLAS COWBOYS
- MINNESOTA VIKINGS
- INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: The Philip Rivers experiment clearly hasn’t worked. But to his credit, Rivers has given it everything he has. At least his insurance benefits have been reinstated for the next five years.
- TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS: Tampa’s slide continued this week, losing a pivotal matchup against the Panthers. As of today, they are out of the playoffs, but ironically still hold a 57% to 43% edge to get in over those Panthers.
- BALTIMORE RAVENS: It is unfathomable that a team so badly needing a win could effectively bench Derrick Henry in the fourth quarter. Instead of using him as the workhorse that he is, they kept to their rotating RB game plan. Henry was tearing up the Pats, and his not playing for the better part of the fourth quarter was the ultimate Christmas present. John Harbaugh may get coal this year.
- CAROLINA PANTHERS: The Panthers are in first place in the NFC South, after their victory over the Buccaneers. But they still only have a 43% chance of making the postseason, even though they control their own fate.
- DETROIT LIONS: The Lions lost another heartwrenching game. They are sitting at only 8-7, and have a 7% chance of making it to the postseason.
- GREEN BAY PACKERS: Just when you think you can have faith in the Packers, they lose. They are currently the seventh seed and have a 93% chance of getting in, so all is not lost.
- PITTSBURGH STEELERS: I have been singing the praises of Mike Tomlin for years, and every year, he validates my praise. You can pencil in a .500 season, in pen…year after year, all he does is give his team a chance to win. They are currently 9-6, sitting with the no.4 seed, and leading the AFC North. They have a 91% chance of getting into the playoffs and hosting a game.
- HOUSTON TEXANS: The Texans are the no.7 seed, and have a 97% chance of making the playoffs…and they are only one game behind the Jaguars for the AFC South division title.
- JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: The Jags are the team directly in the way of the Texans. Trevor Lawrence has never played better. They can still ascend to the top spot in the AFC or dip into a wildcard spot.
- PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: The Eagles are the first team in the NFC East to be back-to-back division champions. They clinched a playoff spot for a couple of weeks and seem to be getting back into form at the right time. They currently hold the No. 3 seed in the NFC.
- CHICAGO BEARS: The Bears are in the playoffs and sitting with the No. 2 seed in the NFC. And they still have a shot to overtake the Seahawks and get the bye.
- LOS ANGELES RAMS: The Rams lost a heartbreaking game against the Seahawks that dropped them from the No. 2 spot last week. They have clinched a playoff spot already, but last week they were the no.1 seed; this week they are the no.6 seed, behind not only the Seahawks, but the 49ers.
- BUFFALO BILLS: The Bills barely beat the Browns 23-20, but a win is a win. And it seems this year, wins are more elusive and precious, with so much parity in the league. They are in the playoffs, but by all likelihood, will be a wildcard team. For them to win the division, they have to win out, while the Pats lose to the Jets and the Dolphins. Buffalo, get your plane tickets.
- NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: The Patriots won an impressive game in Baltimore, regardless of John Harbaugh’s curious coaching decisions. They are still the No. 2 seed in the AFC despite the Broncos loss at home to the Jaguars. They moved up one spot this week.
- LOS ANGELES CHARGERS: The Chargers have been quietly playing great football all season, and it looks like both Trevor Lawrence and Justin Herbert are growing up right before our eyes. The Chargers are in the playoffs but still have a ton to play for. They could still win the AFC West and secure the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
- DENVER BRONCOS: The Broncos dipped three places from the No. 1 spot after this week’s loss. While they have clinched a playoff spot, they haven’t secured the No. 1 seed, nor even the AFC West Division.
- SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS: Don’t look now, but the wk.18 matchup between the 49ers and Seahawks could decide the NFC West, the no.1 seed, and who winds up with the first-round bye. The Niners are playing some really great football…at the perfect time.
1. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: For a team that felt like it took forever to crack this top 10 list, they are rising at the right time. And coming off a huge win against the Rams, they find themselves with the top seed and bye, in the NFC.
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