NFC Playoff Standings

Here is the NFC Playoff picture this morning:

1. Atlanta Falcons: 13-2
3. Green Bay Packers: 11-4
2. San Francisco 49ers: 10-4-1
4. Washington Redskins 9-6
5. Seattle Seahawks: 10-5
6. Minnesota Vikings 9-6
7. Chicago Bears: 9-6
8. Dallas Cowboys 8-7
9. New York Giants: 8-7

• In order for San Francisco to become NFC West Champs, look for them to win outright OR for the Rams to upset Seattle today. The Rams D would have to play perfectly for that to happen, but it's possible!
•  Here's a great rundown of today's NFC matchups that matter: SI NF

 

Week 14--4th Quarter of the NFL Season

Week 14...We are officially in the 4th quarter of the 2012 NFL season.  WAH!!!  I don't want it to end.  We're lucky that we still have relevant matchups these next few weeks, though it's hilarious to listen to the booth guys struggle to stat you to death in games that don't matter.  The AFC's Texans, Patriots and Broncos will all be in the playoffs, as will the NFC's Falcons, but all of the above are still playing for home field advantage and/or a first round bye. The thing to remember this late in the season is that a team's record doesn't necessarily reflect how they're playing.  For playoff contenders, it's all about finishing strong with the least injuries.

Dallas Cowboys (6-6) at Cincinnati Bengals (7-5) 
1pm EST on FOX
Both teams need this win....bad.  Both are in a heated race for a wildcard berth.  Paul Brown Stadium is sold out for the first time in the last three games.  This should be a fun one to watch.

 1.  The press still loves to talk about the 'Boys and loves it when they win, but Tony Romo & Co are inconsistent at best with recent victories coming against lackluster Philly & Cleveland. Cincy is favored by 3, having won 4 straight.

2.  Cowboys nose guard Josh Brent (Illinois) is under arrest for suspicion of intoxication manslaughter in the death of teammate Jerry Brown (Illinois).

3.  Bengals RB Green-Ellis (Mississippi) has beaten the turf for over 100 yards in each of the last three games.

4.  Bengals QB Andy Dalton (TCU) is coming alive as of late, and his entire Houston family is traveling to Ohio for this pivotal game.  With his Ginger-extreme looks, they call him "The Red Rifle" in Cincy, though I can't help but think of Patrick Swayze's Road House "Dalton". He'll be looking for favorite receiver, AJ Green (Georgia), all day long.

Baltimore Ravens (9-3) at Washington Redskins (6-6) 
1pm EST on CBS
We talk about the Redskins every single week, because you just can't take your eyes off RGIII (Baylor).  Last year's Heisman Trophy winner is being compared to the greats already, but at 6-6, the 'Skins are still just a wildcard contender in Week 14. The crosstown "Beltway Bowl" will certainly be more entertaining than half of the BCS bowls.

Families divided....with tragic consequences.

1.  Vegas has these guys at "Pick 'em", but let's not forget that Baltimore hasn't lost back to back games in over 3 years.

2.  Ravens RB Ray Rice (say that 10 times fast) (Rutgers) received exactly 0 touches in the fourth quarter of last week's loss to Pittsburgh.  You can bet that won't happen again.

3.  Ravens Safety Ed Reed (Miami) is one of the best in the game.  He has more interceptions than any active player. Boom.

4.  RGIII has the lowest interception rate in the NFL. Boom.

Houston Texans (11-1) at New England Patriots (9-3) 
8:30pm EST Monday on ESPN
The Patriots have won 12 straight regular season games in December. The streak started in 2009 against the Carolina Panthers. Can these guys be stopped? 

1. With one touchdown pass, QB Tom Brady (Michigan) will extend his streak to 45 straight games with at least one touchdown pass. It’s the third longest streak of all-time. TE Wes Welker (Texas Tech) only needs 8 receptions to become the first player in NFL history with five 100- catch seasons.

2.  Giselle Bundchen gave birth to a healthy baby girl, Vivian Lake, on Wednesday, but hubby, Tom, was present for Patriots' walkthrough practice on Wednesday and was on the field Thursday as well. Geez.

3.  Don't look for Arian Foster and the powerful Texans' offense to roll over for the Patriots.  This is a potential look at the AFC Championship game.  NE is favored by 4.5, but TE Ron Gronkowski (Arizona) is still out with a broken arm.

4.  JJ Watt (Wisconsin) is nasty, nasty, nasty.  If he and pretty boy don't get up close and personal, I'd be greatly surprised. Jon Gruden will be drooling in the booth over this guy's performance.  He's up for Defensive Player of the Year with 60 tackles, including 50 unassisted. He has 16 1/2 sacks, 27 tackles for loss, 31 hits on the quarterback and 15 passes deflected at the line of scrimmage. 

Hope everyone's getting into the Holiday spirit! I know football helps.  :)  Enjoy Week 14!