Playoff picture

Its getting to the point of the season when the playoffs are in sight and teams are starting to make reservations. Ill start by discussing the NFC in the east, where my New York Giants have already clinched the division with a Dallas loss last week. In the NFC north the Minnesota Vikings are barely holding on to lead with the Bears right behind them. Even though it pains me to say it because i am not a big fan of the Vikings i think they will hold on to their lead in the north and win the division. They are on a three game winning streak right now and it is hard to pick against a team that is hot in this part of the season. The only possible scenario where i see the Vikings not winning the division is if the Williams brothers get suspended and the Vikings defense falls apart. The Carolina Panthers are currently sitting atop the NFC south with a big win over second place Tampa Bay last week. I think that the Carolina Panthers are too good to not keep it together and win the division, also they have who i think is one of the best players in the NFL right now in Steve Smith. The only thing the Panthers have against them right now is a not so easy schedule for the rest of the season. Their last two games are away and at two very good football teams, Giants and Saints. In the NFC west the Arizona Cardinals have already clinched the division. This is the first time they have won the division since 1975 when they were in St. Louis. It will also be the first time they host a postseason game since 1947. That wraps up the NFC...now lets get into the AFC.

Ill start with the AFC East where there is a three way tie in the top of the division between the Patriots, Jets, and Dolphins. I personally am liking the Dolphins to grind it out and win the division. Next week they have a home game against a not very good 49er's team. The week after that they go to Kansas City where if they play even close to decent they should pull off a win. The division will most likely come down to the last week where the Dolphins go into New York to play the Jets. Many of the panelists on ESPN think it will be too cold for the Dolphins to win in New York but i dont think that really matters to the athletes. In the north division the Steelers are currently on the top and i dont see that changing. Although the Ravens are a very good team i think that the Steelers with their number ranked defense in the NFL will grind out the rest of the season. The Tennessee Titans have already clinched the south division and now are playing for home field advantage. In the west division i see the Broncos staying number one with the only over .500 record in the division.