by Jerry Keys

For the first time in a number of years, there is no clear cut favorite this late in the season to make a Super Bowl run. But in the last couple years, the teams who won got red hot at the end of the season. Barring any complete collapse, the NFC's playoff teams are almost set. Five teams have all but locked up a spot in the post season. The final spot is up for grabs amongst a half dozen teams. The top two teams who should receive a first round bye will be Atlanta (10-1) and San Francisco (8-2-1). The New York Giants (7-4) should wrap up their division and Chicago (8-3) will battle Green Bay (7-4) for the North. The sixth and final seed is completely up in the air. There are six teams at either 6-5 (Minnesota, Tampa and Seattle) or 5-6 (Washington, Dallas, New Orleans).

All six of these teams have played hot and cold throughout the year. Most pundits still favor New Orleans with their depth and playoff experience. Nothing is clear cut as Chicago saw last year when they faded down the stretch after QB Jay Culter was lost for the season. By the end of the season the NFC should shape up as follows: 1-Atlanta, 2-San Francisco, 3-Chicago, 4-NY Giants, 5-Green Bay and 6-Seattle (just a wild hunch). If this comes to pass, it would mean another showdown between NY Giants and Green Bay. Atlanta has been poised to take the next step for several years. Maybe this is their year. I thought last year was until they were knocked out in the wild card game by the Giants. The Giants showed whoever has the hot hand, has the best shot.

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The AFC is a little more murkier than the NFC. The division winners are already decided. The wild card is up in the air. New England (8-3), Baltimore (9-2), Houston (10-1) and Denver (8-3) have the first four seeds down. Denver's O-line has given Peyton the time needed and yes, he is still picking apart defenses. The other three division leaders were no surprise. The two wild card spots will be about as tricky as the NFC. It will come down to four teams. The shocking Indianapolis Colts (7-4) have the inside track for the #5 spot. The last spot will be between Pittsburgh (6-5), Cincinnati (6-5) and Miami (5-6).

Pittsburgh held a firm grip on a wild card spot until Big Ben went down in the game against Kansas City. If Ben does not return or does at only 75%, the Steelers will not reach the playoffs. If Pittsburgh can not rebound, with or without Ben and Miami win either four or all their remaining games, the wild card will go to Cincinnati and Indianapolis. The seeding should be: 1-Houston, 2-Baltimore, 3-Denver, 4-New England, 5-Pittsburgh, 6-Indianapolis. If Pittsburgh beats Cincinnati in their re-match, they will hold all tie-breakers.

At the first of the year I saw Buffalo and Houston making a serious push. Well at the time I thought Buffalo would have a defense. Houston was primed last year. This year they are all systems go. I picked Green Bay and San Francisco in the NFC. Those two teams may very well end up in the NFC Championship Game. It is difficult to predict who will be in the Championship games but at the moment, I am sticking with Houston and they will face Baltimore. In the NFC, Atlanta and San Francisco. Super Bowl picks? I would have to say Houston and Atlanta. Houston 24-20.

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