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With the 2009 NFL regular season coming to a end in five weeks, there are quite a few teams feeling pretty good about themselves. The Colts, in particular, for having already won their division. They are practically almost guaranteed the #1 seed in the AFC. Cincinnati could take the #2 seed in the AFC, but New England is keeping it close. It's a two team race in the AFC West, with the Chargers up by one game. The Jaguars are in a decent spot as of now, but that could change in the following weeks. With the NFC, New Orleans is a lock for a playoff spot, possibly the #1 seed in the NFC. Minnesota is not far behind them, either. The NFC East is competitive as ever, with Dallas holding a slim lead. Despite the last second loss to Tennessee, Arizona is still a great team, and looks to make it to the playoffs for the second straight year. The Packers and Eagles are making a strong push as well, despite inconsistencies from both teams. I always find myself rooting in favor of the underdogs, which is why we will now have a look at three teams from each conference from the playoff picture as of week 12, that are on "the outside looking in". AFC- Baltimore (6-5): A stellar running game has mainly gotten them this far. Their defense is still good, but not as good as it has been in previous years. But with aging players, that has come to be expected, Ray-Ray can't play forever! With Washington out and Suggs still uncertain, their defense needs to step it up these last five weeks. Joe Flacco is crucial to their playoff dreams. He needs to play better down the stretch if they are to push for the playoffs. On a good note, did I mention a stellar running game? Ray Rice is a ball hungry man child! McGahee isn't doing too bad either, despite getting less carries than Rice. If they step it up on defense, and continue handing the ball off to Rice, I think they will clinch a wild card spot.
- Pittsburgh (6-5): Dennis Dixon actually did a decent job against the Ravens, a lot better than what I had expected. But, he's no Big Ben, and losing to the Ravens hurt their playoffs chances a bit. Hopefully, Big Ben will be able to go this week against Oakland. Pittsburgh needs him, no matter who the opponent is. The defense is still good, especially against the run, but their pass defense needs work. Not having Troy Polamalu out there is hurting, and you can tell. They just aren't the same dominating defense without him. The run game is pretty decent, and with Big Ben possibly coming back, they still have some hope for a wild card spot. Yay! (Waving Terrible Towel)
- Tennessee (5-6): Vince Young was amazing on that gaming winning 99 yard drive, and Chris Johnson is my man crush. Young is finally starting to come around as a QB, and it's only making the Titans better. He's displaying better accuracy and decision making, and he's actually going through all of his reads before deciding to take off! I'll admit it, I gave up on Young last season. But now, he's making me a believer. Chris Johnson is a man among boys! He's on his own "I'm going to run by you and the rest of your defense for a 90 yard TD with ease and you can't do anything about it" level. He's on pace for a 2,000 yard season, and he could break Dickerson's single season rushing record. The true test for the Titans comes this Sunday, against Indianapolis. But, if they keep feeding the ball to Johnson, and Young keeps improving, I see the Titans clinching a wild card spot. My homerism has nothing to do with my prediction!
NFC
- New York (6-5): He's nothing like his brother, but Eli is a decent quarterback. The loss of Plaxico Burress hurt at first, but Steve Smith has come along nicely. Add in Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham into the mix, turns out that Eli has some very nice targets to throw to! The run game is doing alright. Brandon Jacobs is still a bruiser, but his play has declined this season. Ahmad Bradshaw is coming into his own, and provides them with the speed that Jacobs lacks. Statistically, the Giants defense is very good. The loss of Pierce hurts, but I think they can recover from that. If they step it up just a bit, and keep playing hard football, the G-Men will make the wild card. Let's just hope they don't shoot themselves in the foot these coming weeks! Get it?
- Atlanta (6-5): This is not where I expected Atlanta to be before this season began. But alas, I was wrong. Talk about bad timing! Matty Ice is out for a very crucial game against the Eagles, and Turner is doubtful. Releasing Jason Elam was a good move, the poor guy has been struggling. Matt Bryant gives the Falcons a much better chance when it comes to field goals. I don't see Atlanta winning this Sunday. With the uncertainties of Matty Ice and Turner, and a struggling defense, I don't see the Falcons reaching the playoffs. I could be wrong, though. Let's wait and see how it unfolds.
- San Francisco (5-6): Alex Smith is actually not playing too bad so far, and Vernon Davis is almost unstoppable. The defense seems okay, minus their passing defense, which is not very good right now. I'm liking this Crabtree kid, I just wish he would have signed before this season started. I have a feeling he'll be good for many years. Frank Gore is still the best part of their offense, for now. I would really like for this team to make the playoffs, mainly because they brought back their 80's uniforms, and for the fact that they haven't been to the playoffs in a while. Alex Smith needs to step it up a lot these next few weeks. If he doesn't, this team will not make the playoffs. I hope that they do, I want to see those uniforms in the post season!
All of these teams still have a shot at reaching their superbowl dreams, but not all of them will make it to the playoffs. So, to all of these teams, and to the dedicated fans of them, I draw inspiration from one of the greatest movies of all time: Don't give up, and keep working at it. Goonies never say die!
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