The Penguin
12-31-2005, 03:15 PM
And the final week is upon us. For many teams this will be the last we see of them in their present form. Be it coaches, quaterbacks or kickers, the only thing that's for certain about teams that end their season this weekend is that's nothing's for sure.
Many of those teams are possibly en route to drafting USC running back Reggie Bush with the first pick in the draft. New Orleans, Green Bay and N.Y. Jets are among the 3-12 teams. None of these teams will win in anything but an upset this weekend, but with the also 3-12 San Francisco hosting the "leading" 2-13 Houston, the Texans will either "lock it up" or possibly create a five-way tie!
After Week 16 the playoff picture is a much clearer image. The AFC South Champion Indianapolis Colts have homefield throughout and are set to be joined by New England (AFC East), Cincinnati (AFC North) and last week, Denver secured the AFC West and the other first round bye. Jacksonville has locked up one of the Wild Card spots with the Steelers just needing to win and the Chiefs needing help for the other spot.
In the NFC, West Champion Seattle Seahawks expanded their first round bye to include homefield advantage. They have officially been joined by the other bye team, Chicago (NFC North) and N.Y. Giants have playoff berth and need to win to keep the Redskins from the NFC East title. A Washington win makes them a Wild Card, coupled with a Giant loss, they'd take the East. The Panthers are in with a win and hope Tampa Bay loses as well so they can secure the NFC South. The Cowboys need a win and some help to have a shot at playing another week.
WEEK 17
Saturday, Dec. 31
Denver at San Diego, 4:30 p.m.
N.Y. Giants at Oakland, 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 1
Arizona at Indianapolis, 1:00 p.m.
Baltimore at Cleveland, 1:00 p.m.
Buffalo at N.Y. Jets, 1:00 p.m.
Carolina at Atlanta, 1:00 p.m.
Cincinnati at Kansas City, 1:00 p.m.
Detroit at Pittsburgh, 1:00 p.m.
Miami at New England, 1:00 p.m.
New Orleans at Tampa Bay, 1:00 p.m.
Seattle at Green Bay, 1:00 p.m.
Houston at San Francisco, 4:05 p.m.
Tennessee at Jacksonville, 4:05 p.m.
Chicago at Minnesota, 4:15 p.m.
Washington at Philadelphia, 4:15 p.m.
St. Louis at Dallas, 8:30 p.m.
Many of those teams are possibly en route to drafting USC running back Reggie Bush with the first pick in the draft. New Orleans, Green Bay and N.Y. Jets are among the 3-12 teams. None of these teams will win in anything but an upset this weekend, but with the also 3-12 San Francisco hosting the "leading" 2-13 Houston, the Texans will either "lock it up" or possibly create a five-way tie!
After Week 16 the playoff picture is a much clearer image. The AFC South Champion Indianapolis Colts have homefield throughout and are set to be joined by New England (AFC East), Cincinnati (AFC North) and last week, Denver secured the AFC West and the other first round bye. Jacksonville has locked up one of the Wild Card spots with the Steelers just needing to win and the Chiefs needing help for the other spot.
In the NFC, West Champion Seattle Seahawks expanded their first round bye to include homefield advantage. They have officially been joined by the other bye team, Chicago (NFC North) and N.Y. Giants have playoff berth and need to win to keep the Redskins from the NFC East title. A Washington win makes them a Wild Card, coupled with a Giant loss, they'd take the East. The Panthers are in with a win and hope Tampa Bay loses as well so they can secure the NFC South. The Cowboys need a win and some help to have a shot at playing another week.
WEEK 17
Saturday, Dec. 31
Denver at San Diego, 4:30 p.m.
N.Y. Giants at Oakland, 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 1
Arizona at Indianapolis, 1:00 p.m.
Baltimore at Cleveland, 1:00 p.m.
Buffalo at N.Y. Jets, 1:00 p.m.
Carolina at Atlanta, 1:00 p.m.
Cincinnati at Kansas City, 1:00 p.m.
Detroit at Pittsburgh, 1:00 p.m.
Miami at New England, 1:00 p.m.
New Orleans at Tampa Bay, 1:00 p.m.
Seattle at Green Bay, 1:00 p.m.
Houston at San Francisco, 4:05 p.m.
Tennessee at Jacksonville, 4:05 p.m.
Chicago at Minnesota, 4:15 p.m.
Washington at Philadelphia, 4:15 p.m.
St. Louis at Dallas, 8:30 p.m.