by Jerry Keys

Could anyone have honestly predicted the demise of two popular Super Bowl picks for this year? Houston won their first two games and have promptly dropped their next nine games. Their starting QB was benched, their top runner was plagued with injuries, and losing six of the nine games by a touchdown or less. Atlanta is also 2-9 and riding a five game losing streak. Their running game vanished and their defense has fallen on rough times. I chose two surprise teams at the beginning of the season, Kansas City and St. Louis. Kansas City has more than held to form and is all but guaranteed a playoff appearance. St. Louis is still in playoff contention but their hopes were damaged when their QB went down for the year with an injury.

After eleven games in tow, the AFC playoff teams have all but been decided, minus one. New England, Cincinnati, and Indianapolis have a firm grip on their division. Denver and Kansas City will reached the playoffs, one as a #1 seed and the other #5. The last remaining spot will be claimed by a current 5-6 team. The New York Jets, Miami, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Tennessee, and San Diego will each attempt to run the table in the remaining five games. I do not see any of these teams doing so, but I do see one team finishing the year at 9-7.

The concluding seeds for the AFC in late December should be: 1-Denver (13-3), 2-New England (12-4), 3-Indianapolis (10-6), 4-Cincinnati (10-6), 5-Kansas City (12-4), 6-Pittsburgh (9-7). A Peyton Manning vs. Tom Brady rematch would be an exhilarating AFC Championship Game. If it is not New England, it will be a rematch for Denver with division rival Kansa City.

The NFC's playoff picture is more complex. Only three teams have broke ahead of the pack and all but secured playoff action, Seattle, New Orleans, and Carolina. The NFC East title will come down to Philadelphia and Dallas, the NFC North is now up-for-grabs after Aaron Rogers's injury, between Detroit, Chicago, and Green Bay. The NFC South will send two teams to the playoffs, and the NFC West has already been decided, but may represent three playoff teams.

The NFC playoff seeds should be: 1-New Orleans (12-4), 2-Seattle (12-4), 3-Philadelphia (10-6), 4-Detroit (9-7), 5-Carolina (11-5), 6-San Francisco (10-6). New Orleans will face Seattle the Monday night after Thanksgiving and still have two games remaining with Carolina. The seed ranks may vary, but the six teams should not. I will go out on a limb and say the NFC Championship Game will have 2013's darling, Carolina facing 2012's darling, Seattle. Ten years ago, Carolina came out of nowhere, two years removed from a 1-15 mark, to face New England in one of the most exciting Super Bowls in history. Repeat? Who knows....

Right after the holidays, the Hall of Fame voting will be announced for the Class of 2014. Appearing for the first time are three pitchers and one hitter who would usually be considered first ballot locks. This is 100% personal, but if Greg Maddux is not elected in January, the Hall of Fame should be closed down and moved to the South Sandwich Islands. I can not think of one reason why Tom Glavine, Mike Mussina or Frank Thomas should not join Greg at the mic. The returning nominees, different story.

Rafael Palmeiro, Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire, Roger Clemens, and Barry (Mr. Congeniality) Bonds will not gain enshrinement and, may never. The Steroid Era is over but the reprocutions are being felt full force. This would be a great lesson plan for English in the "cause and effect" category. Caught up in the Steroid Era, while not being under the microscope are Craig Biggio, Fred McGriff, and Jeff Bagwell. It is not a fair assessment to be penalized for retiring around the same time as guilty or suspected steroid users. Biggio is the most perplexing one, since he was best known for being a singles hitter.

On the ballot for the fifteenth and final time is Jack Morris. I am hoping he will be as Jim Rice was several years ago,receiving nomination on the fifteenth try. Another holdover, Lee Smith, should receive more consideration. He no longer holds the all-time save record, but he spent the first part of his career pitching 90-plus innings. Mike Piazza was never put under the steroid microscope so, why is he not in? Each voter has ten slots to vote for up to ten nominees.