The 2009 NFL season concludes this weekend with several key playoff races still at stake and seedings to be determined. An atmosphere of controversy covers the field as some possible scenarios involving teams not playing at full strength add an element of intrigue as the final standings are determined.
The decision of the Indianapolis Colts to essentially throw their game against the New York Jets and not to even attempt to compete for an undefeated season created a buzz through out the world of football fans. Were the Colts playing to win, the Jets would not have vaulted into the playoff picture and Denver would be on a win, you’re in scenario after losing to Philadelphia. Cincinnati faces the New York Jets in the nationally televised 8:00 pm game and who the Bengals face in the first round of the playoffs could depend on whether or not they win this game. Speculation is they would seek to avoid Baltimore if Baltimore wins its game against Oakland securing a wildcard berth.
Much interest will be focused on Dallas as the Philadelphia Eagles visit. The winner will be the NFC East champion.
The AFC wildcards will be Baltimore and the New York Jets if those teams win. Any number of scenarios could play out if either or both of them lose with Denver, Pittsburgh, and Houston lurking for a chance to move in. With all of these teams showing 8-7 records, the seedings are determined on the basis of predetermined tie-breaker considerations.
Also at stake is the NFC first round bye. Minnesota could lose its spot if they lose to the New York Giants and Philadelphia beats Dallas. The third and fourth seeds are up for grabs depending on outcomes of the Dallas/Philadelphia contest and the Arizona/Green Bay contest for the NFC. In the AFC, the results depend on Cincinnati/New York Jets and New England/Houston.
Here are the contests for the final week of the season. Ones with playoff implications will be noted with an asterisk (*).
San Francisco (-7) at St. Louis
St. Louis couldn’t beat an egg much less the ‘Niners.
*New York Giants at Minnesota (-8 ½)
Minnesota must end its recent funk to beat the Giants as they should do at home. The spread might be a bit generous given recent play.
Jacksonville at Cleveland (-2)
Cleveland goes for four straight against the Jags who just fell out of playoff contention. Still the Jags are the better team.
*Pittsburgh (-3) at Miami
Pittsburgh fights for its faint hope of a playoff berth and should edge the Dolphins.
*New England at Houston (-8)
New England fights to secure its seeding while Houston fights for a chance at its first playoff berth. We’ll give Houston the edge but New England should beat the spread.
Atlanta (-2 ½) at Tampa Bay
Atlanta is left considering what could have been this year but should pull it together to beat the Tampa Bay Bucs who pulled the upset over the Saints last week.
*Philadelphia at Dallas (-3)
The winner gets to host the loser most likely in round 1 of the playoffs. We think it will be Philadelphia.
Indianapolis at Buffalo (NG, -8, -7 ½)
How on earth could Buffalo be favored? Given that the Indy brass could treat this game like the second half of a pre-season game answers that. Shame on a team that won’t compete. We’ll be cheering for Buffalo to follow through.
Chicago (-3) at Detroit
Chicago seems like a team on the decline while Detroit showed a flicker of hope this year, but still Chicago should prevail in this NFC North game.
*Baltimore (-10 ½) at Oakland
Baltimore must avoid penalties and other mistakes. If they do, they’ll win easily and head for the playoffs for the second year in a row.
Washington at San Diego (-4)
San Diego won’t be playing chicken like Indy and should beat the hapless Skins.
*Kansas City at Denver (-12 ½)
Denver must win to keep their playoff hopes alive depending on Baltimore or the New York Jets to lose.
*Green Bay at Arizona (-3.5)
Both teams are heading to the playoffs but minor seedings are at stake. We’ll pick Green Bay to beat the favorite.
Tennessee (-4.5) at Seattle
Tennessee had playoff hopes last weekend despite an 0-6 start. They’ll be able to finish proud pounding Seattle, a team that failed miserably in 2009.
*Cincinnati at New York Jets (-10)
Rex Ryan will have the Jets and their fans frothing at the mouths to nail down their wildcard berth. Cincinnati might play for comic relief as Chad What’s-his-name has promised some antics. Cincinnati is probably the team the wild card contenders would most like to face.
The decision of the Indianapolis Colts to essentially throw their game against the New York Jets and not to even attempt to compete for an undefeated season created a buzz through out the world of football fans. Were the Colts playing to win, the Jets would not have vaulted into the playoff picture and Denver would be on a win, you’re in scenario after losing to Philadelphia. Cincinnati faces the New York Jets in the nationally televised 8:00 pm game and who the Bengals face in the first round of the playoffs could depend on whether or not they win this game. Speculation is they would seek to avoid Baltimore if Baltimore wins its game against Oakland securing a wildcard berth.
Much interest will be focused on Dallas as the Philadelphia Eagles visit. The winner will be the NFC East champion.
The AFC wildcards will be Baltimore and the New York Jets if those teams win. Any number of scenarios could play out if either or both of them lose with Denver, Pittsburgh, and Houston lurking for a chance to move in. With all of these teams showing 8-7 records, the seedings are determined on the basis of predetermined tie-breaker considerations.
Also at stake is the NFC first round bye. Minnesota could lose its spot if they lose to the New York Giants and Philadelphia beats Dallas. The third and fourth seeds are up for grabs depending on outcomes of the Dallas/Philadelphia contest and the Arizona/Green Bay contest for the NFC. In the AFC, the results depend on Cincinnati/New York Jets and New England/Houston.
Here are the contests for the final week of the season. Ones with playoff implications will be noted with an asterisk (*).
San Francisco (-7) at St. Louis
St. Louis couldn’t beat an egg much less the ‘Niners.
*New York Giants at Minnesota (-8 ½)
Minnesota must end its recent funk to beat the Giants as they should do at home. The spread might be a bit generous given recent play.
Jacksonville at Cleveland (-2)
Cleveland goes for four straight against the Jags who just fell out of playoff contention. Still the Jags are the better team.
*Pittsburgh (-3) at Miami
Pittsburgh fights for its faint hope of a playoff berth and should edge the Dolphins.
*New England at Houston (-8)
New England fights to secure its seeding while Houston fights for a chance at its first playoff berth. We’ll give Houston the edge but New England should beat the spread.
Atlanta (-2 ½) at Tampa Bay
Atlanta is left considering what could have been this year but should pull it together to beat the Tampa Bay Bucs who pulled the upset over the Saints last week.
*Philadelphia at Dallas (-3)
The winner gets to host the loser most likely in round 1 of the playoffs. We think it will be Philadelphia.
Indianapolis at Buffalo (NG, -8, -7 ½)
How on earth could Buffalo be favored? Given that the Indy brass could treat this game like the second half of a pre-season game answers that. Shame on a team that won’t compete. We’ll be cheering for Buffalo to follow through.
Chicago (-3) at Detroit
Chicago seems like a team on the decline while Detroit showed a flicker of hope this year, but still Chicago should prevail in this NFC North game.
*Baltimore (-10 ½) at Oakland
Baltimore must avoid penalties and other mistakes. If they do, they’ll win easily and head for the playoffs for the second year in a row.
Washington at San Diego (-4)
San Diego won’t be playing chicken like Indy and should beat the hapless Skins.
*Kansas City at Denver (-12 ½)
Denver must win to keep their playoff hopes alive depending on Baltimore or the New York Jets to lose.
*Green Bay at Arizona (-3.5)
Both teams are heading to the playoffs but minor seedings are at stake. We’ll pick Green Bay to beat the favorite.
Tennessee (-4.5) at Seattle
Tennessee had playoff hopes last weekend despite an 0-6 start. They’ll be able to finish proud pounding Seattle, a team that failed miserably in 2009.
*Cincinnati at New York Jets (-10)
Rex Ryan will have the Jets and their fans frothing at the mouths to nail down their wildcard berth. Cincinnati might play for comic relief as Chad What’s-his-name has promised some antics. Cincinnati is probably the team the wild card contenders would most like to face.
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