NFL Rant

It will be New England, Indianapolis and the Chargers in the AFC playoffs for sure. The Jaguars, Steelers and Browns will most likely all make it as well, but the Titans have a small chance for the wild-card, so unless a miracle happens for Tenessee, it will be the Chargers, Jaguars, Steelers and Browns in the wild card. If Tenesse loses 1 game, the Jags, Steelers and Brown clinch a spot. Here's what needs to happen for the Titans to get a spot, they have to win both games, and possibly if Jacksonville loses both games, but since they would have the same conference records and same head-to-head records, I think that the Jaguars would win in this scenario in a tie-breaker. The Titans real hope is that either the Steelers or Browns lose both of their next two games, if they both lose both their games the Steelers will clinch their division due to tie-breaker, and then the Titans would have to win both games against the Jets and Colts (unlikely) to oust the Browns. I don't see the Browns losing against Cinci or San Fran, so if they win their games, then they have to hope that the Steelers lose both their games and then we are in another tie-braker situation. If the Titans lose 1 game, then the AFC playoff picture is pretty much as I stated above, the only difference will be who plays whom.

In the NFC, Dallas, Green Bay, Tampa Bay, and Seattle have all clinched a spot. Dallas and Green Bay are sure bye's that first week. The NY Giants are set for a wild-card spot, the Vikings have a great chance, but the Saints and Redskins aren't out of the picture yet. This race is a little closer, since Minnesota and Washington play each other next week; so if the Saints win their remaining games (agains Philly and Chicago), and the Redskins beat out the Vikes next week, the Saints will have the spot over both the Redskins and the Vikes due to Conference Records. The Panther's only chance is if Washington beats Minnesota since Minnesota has the better record, and then Washington loses to Dallas (pretty likely), but the Panthers would have to win both their games against Dallas and Tampa Bay (very unlikely), then in this case the Panthers have a shot because even though their records are tied, their conference record would beat out both Washington and Minnesota, assuming that Minnesota loses to both Washington and Denver, but unlikely. However, there is a great chance that Washington can beat Minnesota, and will lose to Dallas, so for all you Panther fans out there... start praying, their schedule isn't looking promising though. The Redskins need to win against both Minesota and Dallas, and the Saints will have to lose one of their remaining games against the sub-par Chicago and Philly teams, so even if Minnesota wins against Dallas, the Redskins would get the spot due to the head to head game (if they win next week). If Minnesota wins just one game against the Skins or Dallas then the Skins can't get in, but Minnesota will only clinch if the Saints lose one of the following 2 games, because the Saints would win in a tie-breaker against Minnesota.

Brett Favre just broke Dan Marino's career record for most passing yards in a career, but it doesn't look like he nor Tom Brady have a shot to steal his record of most yards in a season of 5084; Brady would have to average 425 ypg in the final two to take that record. Tom Brady also needs 5 more TD's to steal the record from Manning of 49 TD's in a season (that record was 48, previously held by Marino until 2004), but Brett Favre already has the record for Most TD's in a career that he took earlier this season and now has over 440, which is 20 more than Marino, and continues to make it harder for anyone else to come close over their lifetime.

It doesn't look as though Peterson has a shot to break the rookie record for rushing in a rookie season, but he already holds the all time record for most yards in a game of 296, so who's complaining? He's 3rd in the standings for total yards this season right below Willie Parker and LT even after missing 2 games due to injury, and IMO is a sure-fire win for Rookie of the Year honors. On the Defensive end, my man Patrick Willis has to be a top candidate for the Defensive Rookie of the Year.