December Dwindles Down NFL Elite

With only four weeks remaining in the NFL regular season, it's time for a few last-gasp efforts from some struggling pre-season favorites (don't look away Norv Turner, we're talking to you), and also to see if some of the newcomers are for real.

So, four games left and still 22 teams within two games of a playoff spot. Before you begin your rant, no, I don't really think all of these teams have a legitimate shot at the postseason (sorry, Kansas City). But, for argument's sake, I figured I'd take a look at the 22 remaining contenders - in alphabetical order - heading into the final quarter of the season.

Here we go...

Arizona Cardinals (5-7): After losing six straight, the Cardinals have won four of their last five with their only loss coming at San Francisco. Granted, Arizona beat the Rams twice to earn half those wins, but the fact that the Cardinals beat the Eagles and Cowboys with John Skelton and Kevin Kolb at quarterback makes about as much sense as San Diego St. being a member of the Big East Conference.

Atlanta Falcons (7-5): The Falcons missed a golden opportunity to take advantage of T.J. Yates' debut in Houston. Atlanta is the Kevin Spacey of the NFL. You don't expect much, but they never disappoint you either. (For anyone who hasn't seen Spacey in The Usual Suspects, stop reading now, find it online and watch it. You won't be disappointed). But with the Bears' injuries, the Lions' antics and the Falcons' easy remaining schedule, Atlanta should be a lock for a NFC wild card.

Baltimore Ravens (9-3): I've said it before, but there's no one in the NFL who needs home-field advantage more than Baltimore. They're simply two different teams at home versus on the road. Quick stats to prove my point. At home, the Ravens are 6-0 and outscoring opponents 175-89. On the road? 3-3 and only outscoring opponents 121-97. I could also show you the importance of Cam Cameron continuing to give Ray Rice the ball, but I'm done boring you with stats. The Ravens will have to prove they can perform on the road (at San Diego and Cincinnati) if they want to play at home in January.

Buffalo Bills (5-7): Poor Buffalo. It's nearly impossible not to root for these guys, but they couldn't quite bring the wagons full circle this season. Too many big injuries. The Bills head out to San Diego on a five-game losing streak with the defense showing no signs of being able to stop Philip Rivers and the Chargers offense. A loss in California and Buffalo can be written off for good. Maybe next year, Bills fans.

Chicago Bears (7-5): I had made a hobby of rooting against Jay Cutler. It was nothing against the Bears, but Cutler was nearing John Mayer territory with his douchebaggery. But this year, Cutler changed my mind. He whined a little less, and played well a little more. And with how awful his offensive line began the season, it was hard not to feel for the guy. Now, Cutler and Matt Forte are stuck on the sideline (with real injuries this time), and Caleb Hanie and Marion Barber are running the show. Losing at home to the Chiefs on a halftime-Hail Mary says it all. Chicago needs some divine inspiration if they hope to return to the playoffs this season.

Cincinnati Bengals (7-5): Still not giving up on Andy Dalton and A.J. Green. They've come back to Earth, but they've also lost the games we expected them to lose. The big test comes this Sunday. Cincinnati gets the Texans at home - still stuck with T.J. Yates and likely without Andre Johnson. Houston wins with Arian Foster and defense, but if the Bengals can contain Foster and Dalton doesn't turn the ball over, the Bengals could find themselves headed for a Week 17 showdown with the Ravens to earn the final wild-card spot.

Dallas Cowboys (7-5): Can mismanaging 20 seconds really change your entire season? Close, but it definitely gets people talking. The Cowboys' fate simply depends on how they play in their two games against the Giants. With a game advantage and holding the tiebreaker, Dallas likely only needs a split with New York to capture the NFC East.

Denver Broncos (7-5): After every football analyst spent the last month trying to figure out how the Broncos were winning, Denver finds themselves atop the AFC West. Take a bow, Denver defense, who prior to their trip to Minnesota had held their last four opponents to 15 points a game. And now it's your turn, Timmy, who proved he can throw the ball in beating the Vikings. The schedule certainly favors the Broncos the rest of the way. The only problem with finishing 10-6 and winning the AFC West? Hosting either the Ravens or the Steelers in the playoffs.

Detroit Lions (7-5): Have we found the new villains of the NFL? Given their talent, it was painful to watch Detroit throw that game away in New Orleans. Matthew Stafford looked healthy again, but the Lions defense has allowed at least 27 points in their last four games (read: that's very bad). Detroit has to win at home versus the Vikings before they begin a harsh three-game stretch to end the season (at Oakland, home for San Diego, at Green Bay). The Packers' record going into the final week of the regular season (and who they decide to play), could determine whether or not the Lions make the playoffs.

Green Bay Packers (12-0): The Giants gave the Packers their first game that came down to the very end since Week 1, and Aaron Rodgers just laughed. Watching Rodgers throw a perfect 30-yard, back-shoulder pass to Jordy Nelson to ease into field goal range with time to spare should've taken any hope away from the other 31 teams. It's just not fair. Not even The Rock could take that championship belt from Aaron Rodgers right now.

Houston Texans (9-3): The Texans carry a six-game winning streak into Cincinnati this weekend. And even if they lose, Houston comes back to games with the Panthers and the Colts. The AFC South is likely theirs, and if T.J. Yates can put it together in four weeks, the Texans could go a long way behind that defense. Houston hasn't allowed an opponent to score more than 14 points since Week 6 (read: that's very good).

Kansas City Chiefs (5-7): Now that their prayer has been answered, it's time for the Chiefs to return to reality. An injured Kyle Orton means Tyler Palko is still their quarterback. Kansas City's easiest remaining game? Home for the Raiders. Chiefs fans might want to stay home for that one. A 5-11 finish appears probable.

New England Patriots (9-3): Just another season for the Patriots. New England has to keep winning though if they want to at least earn a first-round bye. With the Ravens, Steelers and Texans all at 9-3 as well, Bill Belichick would hate to have to play the Jets again just because his team slacked off at home against the Dolphins. The real intrigue left in the Patriots remaining regular season: a Week 15 trip to Denver for Tom Brady vs. Tim Tebow.

New Orleans Saints (9-3): The Saints are easily the Packers' biggest challengers in the NFC. As long as Drew Brees stays healthy, New Orleans will win another NFC South crown. The Saints' future could be determined by how many turnovers its defense forces in the playoffs. (And the same goes for the Packers and Patriots. It's a little scary how similar those three teams are. They're like the Baldwin brothers...except they don't get kicked off planes).

New York Giants (6-6): So let me get this straight. The Giants have lost four straight, but somehow they're the ones riding momentum into the opening clash with the Cowboys. Ahmad Bradshaw returning should make New York a little less one dimensional on offense (and maybe cut down on a costly Eli turnover or two), but the main problem is still with the defense. The Giants' NFC-East hopes rely on Justin Tuck, Jason Pierre-Paul and Osi Umenyiora putting pressure on Tony Romo.

New York Jets (7-5): Welcome back, Shonn Greene. His return was much needed, because the Jets defense has lost a step. They're like an actor who can no longer pull off all their old, cool stunts so they end up having to CGI every action scene. Yes, that makes the New York offense the CGI. And like CGI, it may not always look smooth, but it gets the job done if used properly. As long as Mark Sanchez doesn't have to win the game, the Jets always have a chance. If they can take down their East Rutherford partner, the Jets will likely find themselves in the postseason yet again.

Oakland Raiders (7-5): It's amazing how quickly Oakland went from Super Bowl contenders to fighting for a division with the Broncos. Apparently, that's what playing the Dolphins does to a team these days. The Raiders need a healthy Darren McFadden starting this week if they're going to outscore their opponents (Packers, Lions, Chargers) down the stretch.

Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3): Let's start with what we know. The Steelers are 9-3. Three of their next four games are against the Browns and Rams. The Steelers will win at least 12 games this season. The real game in the middle of the cupcakes? A trip to San Francisco. It's crazy to think Pittsburgh could go 13-3 and still be stuck with a wild-card spot (if the Ravens don't lose). However, if there's any team with enough playoff experience to win three on the road in the playoffs (like they did six years ago), it's the Steelers.

San Diego Chargers (5-7): It's gonna take more than a blowout win over a helpless Jaguars team to convince anyone the Chargers have it in them to win out and make the AFC West a three-team race. But if Rivers really has solved his turnover problem, San Diego can outscore anyone. Unfortunately, it's likely too little, too late for a team with pre-season Super Bowl expectations. It's like M. Night Shyamalan putting out a really cool trailer, convincing you this script doesn't have 73 unnecessary plot twists, and then wasting nearly three hours of your life you will never get back.

San Francisco 49ers (10-2): Still not convinced. The 49ers' last four games can convince me though. San Fran plays the Steelers at home and goes on the road to their three NFC-West rivals. If the 49ers win three of the four, that'll be enough to lock up a first-round bye, and more importantly, likely avoid having to travel to New Orleans if they play the Saints.

Seattle Seahawks (5-7): Let me preface what I'm about to say with this: Tarvaris Jackson is a horrendous quarterback, who lost his best receiver, and is fully capable of losing every game for the Seahawks. Now that that's out of the way, I believe Seattle could run the table and challenge for the last wild-card spot in the NFC. Please, stop laughing at me for a second to hear me out. The Seahawks' next two games are at home for the Rams and at Chicago to play a Bears team that just scored three points at home against the Chiefs. Seattle's next one is the game that matters most - a home date with the 49ers. Neither team should be able to run the ball so whoever turns the ball over least will probably win. It's a coin flip between Jackson and Alex Smith so I'll take the Seahawks at Qwest Field. Seattle finishes with a trip to Arizona, but that's not an impossible slate to prevent Marshawn Lynch from a little deja vu with the Saints in the first round.

Tennessee Titans (7-5): The wounds are still raw, Chris Johnson, so please tread lightly on every fantasy football team you destroyed this season. Fortunately for the Titans, CJ2K finally found his stride. Although not many people expect the Titans to upset the Saints this week, their next three games are very winnable. The Colts and Jaguars will both be drafting in the top five, and Houston will likely be locked into the No. 3 seed heading into Tennessee's visit come Week 17. Three straight to end the season will put the Titans right there with the Bengals and Jets in the race for that final AFC wild-card spot.




I'm not superstitious. I'm only a little stitious.