It is crunch time in the NFL, and time for the teams who want to make the playoffs to either step up or pack up. We believe that there are no less than five big games of the 16 contests to be played this week.
The first on the PossessionPoints.com Big Game list is the Jets visiting the undefeated Titans. This game features two of the “elder statesmen” of the Quarterback position (We will have more on QBs in a separate article this weekend). Anyone following the NFL this year is waiting to see if any chinks exist in the Titans’ armor. The Jets and Titans are the number 4 and Number 5 teams in our RPM measure as well as the current top-rated teams in the AFC. While the Titans’ lead in their division appears secure, the Jets have a slight and vulnerable 1-game lead in their division. From that point of view, we would say that this game is bigger for the Jets than the Titans. However, the Titans would like to pick up where the Patriots left off last season and pave that perfect path to the Super Bowl.
Our second big game features the two teams that are nipping at the heels of the Jets in the AFC East: the Patriots and the Dolphins in Miami. The Patriots are looking to avenge an earlier one-sided loss to the Dolphins this season. These two teams appear to be playoff caliber as they are both in the top half of our RPM standings. The winner of this game will see their playoff hopes rise while the loser will find a very tough road ahead to the playoffs. This game is equally important for both teams.
The third big game is an inter-conference game as the Eagles visit the Ravens. The Eagles and Ravens are both in our top ten in our RPM, but neither of them are currently leading their divisions. Both teams have four losses and certainly need every win they can muster if they want to advance to the playoffs. In the preseason, few expected the Ravens to be a potential playoff contender, while many expected the Eagles to go far. Over the last few weeks, their positions have switched. The Eagles need to rebound to their early season form if they hope to keep their slim playoff hopes alive while the Ravens possess a chance of attaining a playoff spot by earning a wildcard spot or perhaps by overtaking the Steelers who are one game ahead of them in the Division.
Our next big game features two AFC teams fighting for their playoff lives. The Colts have seemed to have found their voice and legs and are taking their game on the road to San Diego to face the Chargers who have been inconsistent at best. The Chargers at 4-6 are probably not looking at a wildcard. They need to overtake the Broncos who are two games ahead of them in their Division. The Colts do have a shot at a wildcard and virtually no shot at their Division Title as they are four games behind the Titans. This contest is extremely important for both teams and definitely an example of where the winner steps up and the loser packs up.
Finally, we want to talk about the game where our Number 1 RPM team meets our Number 2 RPM team. If the BCS could only get so lucky with these stats, their lives would be easier. Neither one of these teams are looking at packing up, but the winner of this game may well identify who the “class” of the NFC really is. Should the Cardinals win, there is a strong possibility that the Cardinals and Giants could both earn first-round byes in the playoffs. The Panthers, who are currently at 8-2, are also looking at that possibility. We would view this as a bigger game for the Cardinals both for their own confidence and as a way to legitimize themselves as a power team in the NFC. For some reason, many experts have downplayed the Cardinals’ success this season and are insistent upon owing that success to playing in a very weak division.
Enjoy the games! This is going to be an exciting, important and decisive week.
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