1.
Denver Broncos (12-3) Last Week: 2
Peyton
Manning tossed his NFL-record 51st touchdown pass of the season in the Broncos' blowout victory over the Texans,
surpassing Tom Brady’s 50 TD mark from 2007…The Broncos can secure home-field
advantage throughout the AFC playoffs with a win at Oakland. The Broncos did,
however, suffer a devastating blow on Sunday as they lost linebacker Von Miller
to a season-ending ACL tear. The Broncos’ defense must make significant
adjustments to compensate for the loss of Miller.
2.
Seattle Seahawks (12-3) Last Week: 1
The
Seahawks were inept on offense in their 17-10 loss to the visiting Cardinals,
totaling just 102 yards to go along with nine penalties. Russell Wilson never
found his groove in his first career loss at CenturyLink Field. The Seahawks
remain in good shape as they can gain home-field advantage throughout the NFC
playoffs with a win versus St. Louis next Sunday. Even so, NFL teams want to be
playing their best football entering the postseason and it seems as if
Seattle’s overall play has regressed in recent weeks.
3.
Carolina Panthers (11-4) Last Week: 3
The
Panthers clinched their first playoff appearance since 2008 in thrilling
fashion as Cam Newton led the Panthers on a game-winning, 65-yard drive capped
off by a 14-yard TD reception by Domenik Hixon (his first TD catch of the
season) with 23 seconds remaining in regulation. Carolina can wrap up the NFC
South and a first-round bye in the playoffs with a win next Sunday at Atlanta.
The Panthers are still alive for the No. 1 overall seed in the NFC, but they
would need the Seahawks to lose at home for a second straight week (versus Rams
in Week 17) and the 49ers to defeat the surging Cardinals in Arizona. This
would set up a three-way tie between the Panthers, Seahawks and 49ers, in which the 49ers would claim the NFC West title and the Panthers would own the
tiebreaker for the No. 1 seed by virtue of their victory over San Francisco at
Candlestick Park earlier in the season.
4.
New England Patriots (11-4) Last Week: 5
The
Patriots became the first team in NFL history to win 10 division titles in an
11-year span after trouncing the Ravens, who bounced New England from the
playoffs in the AFC Championship game last January. The Patriots used a steady
rushing attack led by LeGarrette Blount (76 yards, 2 TD’s) to embarrass the
Ravens in Baltimore, 41-7. The Patriots’ opportunistic defense forced four turnovers,
including two interceptions from rookie cornerback Logan Ryan, a fumble
recovery in the end zone by Chandler Jones and a 74-yard pick-six by safety
Tavon Wilson. The Patriots can clinch the No. 2 seed in the AFC with a victory
at Gillette Stadium versus the Buffalo Bills in Week 17. In the unlikely event
that the Broncos lose to the Raiders, the Patriots could seize the No. 1 seed
and thus home-field advantage throughout the AFC portion of the postseason.
5.
San Francisco 49ers (11-4) Last Week: 4
The
49ers did not play their “A” game versus the Falcons on “Monday Night Football”,
but were able to send Candlestick Park an exciting farewell via NaVorro
Bowman's 89-yard pick-six to seal a close win and a playoff berth for the third
straight season.
6.
Philadelphia Eagles (9-6) Last Week: 11
Despite
knowing that they had everything on the line for next week’s finale at Dallas
and essentially nothing on the line against a Bears club trying to clinch a
division title, the Eagles provided one of the most dominating performances from any team this entire season. Nick Foles, the
NFL leader in passer rating, was 21 of 25 for 230 yards, and set a franchise
record with a completion percentage of 84.0. In nine starts this season, Foles
has thrown a whopping 25 TD passes versus just two interceptions…LeSean McCoy,
the NFL leader in rushing yards, torched the Bears for 133 yards and two TD’s in
the ground attack.
7.
Cincinnati Bengals (10-5) Last Week: 12
The
Bengals clinched the AFC North title for the third time in the Marvin Lewis era
by virtue of their throttling of the Vikings and the Ravens’ loss to the
Patriots.
8.
Arizona Cardinals (10-5) Last Week: 9
The
Cardinals’ defense stymied the Seahawks potent offense, sacking quarterback
Russell Wilson four times, while also holding him to a career-low 40.7 completion
percentage and a career-worst 108 yards. Carson Palmer almost blew the game by
tossing four interceptions, but the Cardinals’ elite defense compensated for
its QB’s gaffes. The Cardinals are a dangerous team, possessing arguably the
third best defense in the league (behind only Carolina and Seattle); nevertheless,
they will need some major help to make the playoffs. Even if the Cardinals
defeat the 49ers next week, they will still need the 4-11 Buccaneers to go on
the road and beat the 10-5 Saints (7-0 at home) to reach the postseason.
9.
New Orleans Saints (10-5) Last Week: 7
The
Saints choked away a chance at clinching the NFC South title in Carolina. They
were unable to contain Cam Newton in the final minute of the contest, who was without
the services of WR Steve Smith (injured earlier in the game) or the luxury of a
single timeout. The Saints can still win the NFC South with a victory and a
Panthers’ loss to the Falcons. Then again, the Saints can miss the postseason
entirely if they lose at home to the Bucs and Arizona defeats San Francisco.
10.
Indianapolis Colts (10-5) Last Week: 14
There
is a case to be made that the Colts’ midseason struggles were just a fluke,
after they defeated another elite team on Sunday. The Colts have now beaten
four Super Bowl contenders this regular season—the 49ers (in San Francisco),
the Seahawks, the Broncos, and the Chiefs this past Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium.
11.
Kansas City Chiefs (11-4) Last Week: 6
The
Chiefs laid a dud in a potential playoff preview against the AFC South champion
Colts. The Chiefs had much more to play for—with the No. 1 seed in the AFC
still within reach—yet were overmatched by the visiting Colts.
12.
Chicago Bears (8-7) Last Week: 8
The
Bears’ 54-11 loss to the Eagles was an embarrassment for the franchise. The
Bears failed to show up in a game that would have a secured a division championship with a win. Jay Cutler played horrendous, throwing erratic passes all night
long until finally Eagles cornerback Brandon Boykin intercepted the maligned QB
and ran it back 54 yards for a touchdown. The Bears’ biggest problems, however,
lie in their inability to stop the run game. The Bears dead last rushing
defense must make a stand against rookie of the year candidate Eddie Lacy and
the Packers next week if they have any hopes of beating their rival to sneak
into the playoffs with the NFC North crown.
13.
Miami Dolphins (8-7) Last Week: 10
Miami
blew a golden opportunity to control their own destiny as their inadequacies on
the offensive line were exposed once again in their deflating loss to the
Bills…The Dolphins will reach the postseason with a victory over the Jets at
home AND a San Diego victory over the Chiefs.
14.
San Diego Chargers (8-7) Last Week: 15
Ryan
Matthews continued his torrid stretch in the ground game, rushing for 99 yards
and a TD in the Chargers’ 26-13 victory over the visiting Raiders. Matthews has
posted a career-best 1,111 rushing yards on the season. The Chargers still need
help to make the postseason even if they defeat the Chiefs in Week 17. San
Diego’s playoff fate rests on the shoulders of the Jets (who must beat the
Dolphins in Miami) and the Bengals (who must beat the Ravens at home) for the
Chargers to grab the No. 6 seed in the AFC.
15.
Baltimore Ravens (8-7) Last Week: 13
The
Ravens no longer control their own destiny after getting smacked by the
Patriots. The 41-7 defeat was their worst home loss in franchise history. If
Miami and San Diego win their respective games, the Ravens will miss the
playoffs even with a victory at Cincinnati as the three-way tiebreaker would go
to the Dolphins.
16.
Dallas Cowboys (8-7) Last Week: 18
Tony
Romo put the team on his back in a dramatic 24-23 victory over the Redskins.
Romo can no longer carry the team because of a herniated disk in his lumbar
region that will force him into season-ending surgery. The Cowboys will rely on
backup QB Kyle Orton to defeat the Eagles in a winner-take all NFC East
showdown on Sunday night.
17.
Pittsburgh Steelers (7-8) Last Week: 20
The
Steelers nail-biting victory over the Packers at Lambeau Field kept their slim
playoff hopes alive. In order for Pittsburgh to make the postseason, the
Steelers need to defeat the Browns at home next week and the Dolphins, Ravens
and Chargers must all lose their respective contests. For the Steelers, who
were 2-6 at the midway point of the season, to even be in the playoff picture
in the final week of the season is a testament to the elite quarterback play of
Ben Roethlisberger.
18.
Green Bay Packers (7-7-1) Last Week: 16
The
Packers can wash away any memories from their frustrating home defeat to the
Steelers, thanks to the Bears’ loss to the Eagles. The Packers can win the NFC
North with a win at Chicago this Sunday, an impressive feat for a team deprived
of its best player for the latter half off the season.
19.
St. Louis Rams (7-8) Last Week: 19
Zac
Stacy led the Rams’ improving offense with 104 yards and a TD in their 23-13
victory over the visiting Buccaneers. The defense did not disappoint for the
Rams either. Defensive player of the year candidate Robert Quinn tied his
career high with 3 sacks on Sunday to boost his season total to 18, the most in
the NFL and the most in a single season in Rams history. (Via ESPN Stats & Information)
20.
Buffalo Bills (6-9) Last Week: 24
The
Bills sacked Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill seven times in their 19-0 bashing of
their AFC East rivals. In doing so, the Bills extended their league-lead in
sacks to 56.0, providing another stellar outing at Ralph Wilson Stadium.
21.
New York Jets (7-8) Last Week: 22
The
Jets delivered an inspired victory for head coach Rex Ryan, who told his team
he would likely be fired at the end of the season. With 7 wins on the season
and one game still left to play, the Jets have vastly exceeded expectations.
22.
Tennessee Titans (6-9) Last Week: 21
The
Titans notched their first division win of the season by defeating the Jaguars
20-16 on Sunday. The win may be too little too late for head coach Mike
Munchak, who has posted a dreadful 5-12 record against AFC South opponents in
his three-year tenure. Overall, the Titans are a middling 21-26 since Munchak
took over the rains in 2011.
23.
New York Giants (6-9) Last Week:
25
Tom
Coughlin should be lauded for leading a club that started the year 0-6 to six
wins in their past nine contests…Eli Manning threw his 26th pick of
the year in the Giants’ 23-20 overtime victory over the Lions, setting the franchise
single-season record for interceptions thrown.
24.
Detroit Lions (7-8) Last Week: 17
The
Lions failed to win the NFC North despite a 6-3 start to the season and
critical quarterback injuries to the Packers and Bears. Detroit lost winnable
games at home to the lowly Buccaneers and most recently to the Giants in this catastrophe,
likely sealing the fate for head coach Jim Schwartz. The Lions, who have yet to
win a game the entire month of December, look foolish for giving turnover-prone
QB Matthew Stafford a lucrative contract extension this past offseason.
25.
Minnesota Vikings (4-10-1) Last Week: 23
Adrian
Peterson said on Friday that he looked forward to playing for Leslie Frazier for the rest of his career, but can the Vikings afford to keep the embattled
coach after another lopsided defeat?
26.
Atlanta Falcons (4-11) Last Week: 29
The
Falcons almost beat the 49ers in the Candlestick Park finale. Could they upset
the Panthers next Sunday at the Georgia Dome to foil Carolina’s division title
hopes?
27.
Cleveland Browns (4-11) Last Week: 27
The
Browns’ defense has staggered to the finish line in 2013 as they continue to
crumble late in first-halves and at clutch moments at the end of the
games…Entering Week 17, Josh Gordon leads the NFL in receiving yards (1,564),
yards per game (120.3) and yards per reception (19.6). Gordon also has recorded
a league-high 28 receptions of 20 yards or more and ranks fourth in the NFL
with 619 yards-after-catch.
28.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-11) Last Week: 28
The
Buccaneers mustered just 170 total yards in their loss to the Rams, setting a
season low for the second straight week. Does a second consecutive dismal
offensive showing put the nail in the coffin for head coach Greg Schiano?
29.
Jacksonville Jaguars (4-11) Last Week: 26
With
home losses to the Bills and Titans in consecutive contests, the Jaguars have
lost all the momentum they gained from winning four of five in weeks 10-14.
30.
Oakland Raiders (4-11) Last Week:
30
Dennis
Allen's record fell to 8-23 in his coaching tenure in Oakland after Sunday's
loss to the Chargers. The Raiders appear headed for a second consecutive 4-12
finish to the season, putting Allen’s job status in jeopardy.
31.
Washington Redskins (3-12) Last Week: 31
Pierre
Garcon caught 11 passes for 144 yards on Sunday, breaking Art Monk’s single-season
franchise reception record in the process. Garcon has caught a league-leading
107 passes this season.
32.
Houston Texans (2-13) Last Week: 32
With
four catches on Sunday and 103 receptions for the season, Andre Johnson joined
Wes Welker as the only players in NFL history to record five seasons with at
least 100 catches.
