Once again, the NFL starts its weekend on Thursday night, and this week's match-up is a good one. The Indianapolis Colts take their undefeated record into Jacksonville to play the Jaguars. The Colts have nothing left to play for as they have clinched the top seed in the AFC. The Jaguars, meanwhile, have everything to play for as they cling to the final Wild Card spot in the AFC with three other 7-6 teams right on their heels waiting for them to stumble. It should be a fascinating game. 'Wish I could see it!
Meanwhile, when the Packers kick off on Sunday afternoon in Pittsburgh, they'll already have some sense of their playoff position, for the Dallas Cowboys play on Saturday night. And they'll be facing the undefeated Saints in New Orleans. It's another NFL Network game, so I'll be left out in the cold again, but it remains an interesting and important game.
It's an interesting game because the Saints clearly have 16-0 on their minds. Plus, it's a home game for them, so it should be a jazzed crowd and an electric environment. It will be a tough setting and a tough opponent for the Cowboys, who come in as a Wild Card team, but in the midst of their annual December slide. The Saints want the win; the Cowboys need the win.
The game is an important one from our perspective, of course, because Dallas is one of the teams we whom we are competing for playoff position. If the Cowboys lose on Saturday and we win on Sunday, that's it -- we're in the playoffs! There's still an open question about seeding, but a Dallas loss and Green Bay win clinches a spot for us in the postseason (something hard to imagine when we were 4-4 and coming off that terrible loss to Tampa Bay).
With our fifth consecutive victory and our 9-5 records, we don't need to sweat the Falcons or 49ers any more. In fact, we'd like to see the 49ers upset the Eagles in Philly on Sunday afternoon.
Of some surprising interest to us this week is the Sunday Night contest between the Vikings and Panthers. I do not root for Minnesota easily, but they'll be my team on Sunday Night. My interest is in locking the Arizona Cardinals into their playoff spot so that they have nothing left to play for in Week 17 against Green Bay. Accordingly, I don't want them to be eligible for the NFC second seed and a first-round bye.
Meanwhile, to complete the sweep of primetime games this weekend, it turns out that the Monday Nighter is also worth our watching. The Giants travel to Washington in a Divisional grudge match. The Giants are currently on the outside looking in on the NFC playoff scene, while the Redskins have nothing to play for but pride and jobs. Their defense is great, they're playing at home, and anything can happen in the Division. We'll be pulling for the Redskins as the Giants are part of our Wild Card competition. In fact, a Green Bay win would combine with a New York loss or tie to clinch a wild card spot for us (Cowboys notwithstanding). Alternatively, a Green Bay tie would combine with a New York loss to clinch a spot for us, as well. Go Redskins!
The Browns play at Kansas City in this week's version of the Pathetic Bowl (though Cardinals at Lions is stiff competition). Cleveland is riding high after upsetting the Steelers, and Mangini is clinging to his job. Also, this week's Cleveland headlines have been dominated by Mike Holmgren's extended visit with the Browns. Perhaps there's a bit of a revival about to happen there.
Of no particular interest to us -- except as generic football fans -- is the great AFC match-up between the Bengals and the Chargers. Cincy was dealt a tragic blow this week with the sudden death of their young, troubled wide receiver. It's the second death this season within the Bengal family. 'Hard to imagine how they'll cope. In any case, it's a game between two AFC powerhouses with significant playoff implications.
Also in the AFC is the Patriots' trip to Buffalo. One would think that New England would win this game easily, but as someone has observed, they have only managed to win games played in England or New England this season.
Finally, the Packers go to Pittsburgh. When I looked at this game on the schedule at the beginning of the year, I counted it as a loss. When I reviewed our remaining schedule halfway through the season, I still figured it would be a loss. Now I don't know what to think.
With a five-game win streak, the Packers are regarded as one of the hot teams in the league. The Steelers, meanwhile, sport a five-game losing streak, including unthinkable losses to the Raiders and Browns. On paper, the trend lines all point toward a Packer victory.
Still, I am uneasy. I think they're a very proud team. I also think they'll be highly motivated playing at home, even though their playoff chances are slim to none. I'm mor afraid of them than I was of the Bears, and perhaps even the Ravens.
If we protect Rogers -- as we have been more recently -- I think we'll be able to both run and throw on their defense. Meanwhile, on the other side of the ball, the Pittsburgh running game has been inconsistent at best this year, and Big Ben has been sacked a ton. If I were going to make a completely unemotional evaluation, therefore, I would say that Green Bay wins this one.
Still, I'm afraid.
Bottom line? Saints stay perfect, Cowboys lose, Green Bay wins, and Packers are in!
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