The Playoff Push: An NFC South Sweep?

Earlier in the season, it appeared that the NFC East had a legitimate shot at claiming three of the conference's six playoff spots. Then, Tony Romo got hurt, Philadelphia slumped, Washington did what Washington does and that fell apart.

Now, heading into Week 14, the NFC South is in position for three playoff spots - heading into the weekend, Tampa Bay, Carolina and Atlanta would all be postseason-bound. And unlike the East's situation earlier, the South might be able to pull it off.

The division's playoff hopes skyrocket if Carolina beats Tampa Bay on Monday night -- that would put Carolina at 10 wins, hosting Denver in Week 15. Meanwhile, the Bucs would still be at nine wins and looking forward to closing the season with San Diego and Oakland visiting the Bay.

Atlanta's the real toss-up team here. The Falcons' final four games: at New Orleans, Tampa, at Minnesota, St. Louis. To get to the 11-win mark., Atlanta needs three victories. Difficult? Yes. Impossible? Far from it. Even if the Falcons only get to 10 wins, Dallas would have to find two more wins against a very, very tough schedule, or the average-looking Redskins would need a 3-1 close simply to tie Atlanta.

Making this situation tough to call definitively is that the NFC South still has all these matchups on the schedule: Atlanta at New Orleans, Tampa Bay at Atlanta, New Orleans at Carolina and, this Monday, Tampa Bay at Carolina.

Divisional games are always tricky to predict, especially toward the end of the season. But if Atlanta wins both of its remaining NFC South showdowns, the division will be all over the playoffs.




Explaining the positions of: Green Bay

The Packers? Still in playoff contention? That NFC North messes with your head like that, man.

Green Bay hosts Houston this week, then goes to Jacksonville and Chicago, and finally welcomes Detroit in. Going 4-0 certainly won't be easy, but it's amazingly possible - and even though Minnesota is in first, the Packers' Dec. 22 visit to Chicago may decide the division.

Minnesota just lost Kevin and Pat Williams - anchors of its stout run defense - to (possibly) season-ending suspensions. The Vikings have a game at Arizona in Week 15, followed by home games with Atlanta and the Giants. Oh, and let's not forget that Detroit is well aware its best remaining chance to get a win is this Sunday vs. the Vikes. A loss to the Lions should automatically eliminate you from the playoffs.

Show us what you're made of: New York Jets

I'll go ahead and say it: I don't trust this team. They're all over the map. Win at New England, win at Tennessee, get smoked by Denver?

Everyone's all over the troubles Pacific coast teams have going east, but the Jets have more trouble heading west than the families from "Oregon Trail," except little Susie hasn't died of diphtheria yet, and New York's raft never sunk fording a river. I think I pushed that analogy too far.

Anyway ... the Jets lost badly at San Diego and bombed at Oakland. So New York's two remaining road games - at San Fran and at Seattle - are troubling. Especially when New England and Miami are both capable of running the table.

One foot in the ground: Washington

This team is very, very average right now. And remarkably underwhelming at home. I mean, 4-1 on the road and 3-4 at home just doesn't fit. Maybe it's good that the 'Skins close with three of four away from home.

But it's not good that they play at Baltimore this Sunday night. Washington has been abysmal against strong defenses, and one more loss will probably crush the Redskins' hopes.

Time to wake up: Arizona

The Cardinals were here last week, and their Thanksgiving night crapfest earns them the spot again. If the playoffs started today, Arizona would be facing a home game with Carolina in the first round, then a trip to Tampa for round two.

Except they'd probably lose to Carolina.

And Finally ... Five Games on the Playoff Radar :

1. Atlanta (8-4) at New Orleans (6-6): The Saints are almost certainly out of the postseason chase. But they are 4-1 in Louisiana, and could do some damage to Atlanta's hopes.
2. Miami (7-5) vs. Buffalo (6-6) in Toronto: The Dolphins need this one ... though with the Bills playing the Jets, Denver and Pats after this, they'll be telling themselves that a 4-0 run might win the division.
3. Dallas (8-4) at Pittsburgh (9-3): Great, Dallas, you beat San Francisco and Seattle at home. Way to go. If you want in the postseason, it's going to take more than that - like a win in Pittsburgh against the Steelers' sturdy defense.
4. Washington (7-5) at Baltimore (8-4): The ... uh ... Melee For Maryland has big implications. Washington's on its last legs; Baltimore needs to stay a leg up on its AFC chasers.
5. Tampa Bay (9-3) at Carolina (9-3): Both teams appear headed for extra games, but the winner here probably gets a first-round bye and then a home game. Considering both teams are 6-0 at home, that's fairly significant.