A few weeks ago, the question was: Will we have two 16-0 teams? Now the question is: What happened? The Colts loss is understandable. After being up 15-10, the Colts head coach Jim Caldwell decided to rest his starters to prevent injuries. Indianapolis went on to allow 19 points and lose 29-15 and the fans were not happy at all. Colts fans were booing the team after the starters were benched. After the game, many fans displayed their anger on radio talk shows. The Colts finish up in Buffalo next week.
As for the Saints, they lost their second straight and many question how they will do in the playoffs. Both games could have been won and yet New Orleans disappointed. The first loss can’t sit well. It was against the Cowboys but it was in December. Maybe the Cowboys have lost their December curse but New Orleans, in my opinion, is the better team. Losing to the Bucs is just embarrassing, especially when the Saints didn’t rest their starters. Sure, Tampa Bay has played the Saints a number of times and they are divisional rivals. But it was a 2-12 team against a 13-1 team. The Saints play against another divisional rival in the Panthers next week.
Not only has New Orleans lost two straight, but so has the Vikings. Minnesota started the game quiet but then put 30 points in the second half and went into overtime tied 30-30. In OT, Adrian Peterson fumbled after a reception which gave the ball to the Bears at the Viking 39. Jay Cutler threw his next pass to Devin Aromashodu for a TD and the Bears won 36-30. A win would have insured the Vikings the second seed in the NFC. Now not only have the Vikings slipped down to the third seed but they have also given the Eagles, Cowboys and Cardinals the opportunity to clinch a first round bye. They also made it possible for New Orleans to clinch home-field advantage.
With only 1 week remaining, there are still a number of playoff implications for this week’s games.
Colts (14-1)
Chargers (12-3)
Patriots (10-5)
Bengals (10-5)
Broncos (8-7)
Jets (8-7)
The Jets and Ravens both control whether they make the playoffs. For them, it’s win or go home. The Ravens play the Raiders in Oakland to end the year. Baltimore should be able to beat them but you never know. The Jets last game is against the Bengals at New York. Cincinnati might rest their starters so the Jets may be in luck. If one or both of these teams loses, the Broncos, Texans, Steelers, Dolphins and Jaguars all have a shot at making a Wildcard spot. It’s going to be an interesting race on the AFC side
Saints (13-2)
Eagles (11-4)
Vikings (11-4)
Cardinals (10-5)
Packers (10-5)
Cowboys (10-5)
All of the playoff spots have been locked up but the seeding has not. The NFC East division can be won by either the Cowboys or the Eagles. Philadelphia has the upper hand and can clinch with a win. There is also the second, third and fourth seeds to be decided.
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