We guess it is no mystery that the contest between the Patriots and Steelers is the most important game of the week – at least for the Steelers. The Patriots have their season wrapped up and are just looking to keep their perfect veneer. On the other hand, the Steelers have yet to lock up their division and hold just a two-game lead over the Browns. A Pittsburgh win would almost secure the division title and keep them close on the heels of the Colts for the second, first-round bye in the playoffs. From a PossessionPoints.com view, this is a battle of two outstanding teams with the number offense in the Patriots matched up against the number defense in the Steelers. If Pittsburgh could avoid those damaging turnovers, they could give New England their third, close encounter with defeat in a row.
The next big game is the Bears vs. Redskins. Redskins will be at home for this matchup of two 5-7 teams that have a great deal on the line. It’s hard to believe that this is considered a big game, but there is a second wildcard in the NFC that is very much up for grabs and in reach of a team with a 5-7 record. From a PossessionPoints view, we kind of like the Redskins in this matchup. If you would like to know the rest of our matchups, see our subscription page at http://www.possessionpoints.com/.
The third big game on our list is the Colts vs. Ravens game in Baltimore. Will the Ravens be recharged from their near victory over the Patriots or will they still be so angry that they screw up this game? Hard to tell. However, this contest is important for the Colts because they hold a two-game lead in their division over the Jaguars but only a one-game lead over the Steelers for the second bye in the first-round of playoffs.
Finally, we have the battle of the Jersey Turnpike: The New York Giants visit the Eagles at the Linc in Philadelphia. The Giants hope to lock up their wildcard spot by moving to 9-4 while the Eagles who are currently 5-7, hope to hold on to playoff hopes and become 6-7. Right now in the NFC there are three teams with 6-6 records: the Vikings, Lions and Cardinals and five teams with 5-7 records: Eagles, Redskins, Bears and Panthers. All are hoping for a miracle and get the one remaining wildcard. The real miracle would be if the Giants fell this week to the Eagles and the next three weeks which would open a wildcard to one of these other nine teams. How mediocre can the NFC possibly be that losing records are still looking for a playoff dream? That is this season in the NFL.
For the record, PossessionPoints favors the Cardinals to emerge from the nine and get the last remaining wildcard spot, but the Vikings are right on their heels by our projections and would scoop it up if the Cardinals should stumble. If they both fail, it’s anyone’s guess who shows up for a playoff game.
Tell us who you think would be the wildcard of the NFC. Once again, if you go to PossessionPoints and sign up, you can see our projected standings by division.
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2 comments:
If the cardinals can protect their QB they would be a contender
Yes, the Cardinals have been a very frustrating team to figure this year. They show ability which is reflected in our PossessionPoints stat, and they have an easy enough schedule to make things happen. But, just when you think they have it together, they falter big time.
Of course, Kurt Warner being intercepted five times may also have had an impact on that 42-21 game.Ha Ha. Protection or rather the lack of protection would not have mattered as much if he would have taken a sack a few times instead of causing turnovers. It's the turnovers that give you a 42-21loss.
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