Some division races are still lukewarm, some are simmering, and then there are others that are at a full boil. And, then there's one division race that is cooked and ready to serve in January.
The AFC West, at one time, was considered a high-voltage division but all four teams are struggling with inconsistency. The result is a deadlock at the top at 5-5 with Denver and San Diego duking it out. KC is a game back but Larry Johnson is out for an undetermined amount of time, and Priest Holmes retired today. With this coming on the heels of the beginning of the Bradie Croyle era, the Chiefs will have to pull out some tricks and need some luck to get into the wild-card race. Oakland is watching the college draft board.
The NFC West is about as exciting as hearing Ricky Williams is back in the league. Seattle leads at 6-4 while Arizona is hovering at 5-5. If the Cardinals can get healthier and stay that way, I can see this team overtaking the 'Hawks. San Francisco and St. Louis need to do some soul searching.
In the NFC South, this was supposed to be New Orleans' division to mop up, but they are facing a devastating 4-6 record along with Carolina two games behind the bewildering Buccaneers who are 6-4. Any of these three teams can make a run these last six games and win it, but Tampa is showing some fortitude and has a fairly easy schedule the rest of the way. Atlanta has gone AWOL.
Pittsburgh appeared early on to be on the fast track to dominate the AFC North, but a loss to the lowly Jest last week and Cleveland's wild win vs. the Ravens now puts the Browns just one game behind the Steelers. These two squads have already played each other twice with Pitt winning both so Cleveland will have to maintain its pace to win a wild card spot or hope the Black N Gold fold a couple of times down the stretch. I really don't think Baltimore has what it takes on offense to stay with the big boys this year, and Cincy has implosion written all over it.
Now, it's getting good. In the AFC South, all four teams have the talent to make a run for it and grab a wild card spot but I don't see Houston (5-5) quite making it, but I have been impressed with them this year especially on defense. Indy leads the pack at 8-2 while Jacksonville and Tennessee are one and two games back respectively. The Colts are approaching thin ice if they aren't careful but I expect they'll wake up from this slumber and win it. J-town's running game and the return of David Garrard just might propel them into January but don't forget about the Titans despite their performance vs. Denver.
The NFC North is pretty much over although the Thanksgiving game between the Pack and the Lions will determine if the fate has been sealed for Detroit. With Green Bay at 9-1 and Detroit at 6-4, a Packers win will put them four games up with five to play. I think the Lions could still snag a wild card spot but NY's win last week might have done more damage than originally thought since the Giants have an easier remaining schedule. Chicago and Minnesota could make some noise but their offensive woes will continue to plague them.
That leaves us with the NFC East. Dallas is a solid two games ahead of Big Blue (really three if you consider Dallas wins the tie-breaker). If the G-men can hold themselves together and get more consistent on offense, then a wild-card invite will be in the mail. Philly may be in big trouble if McNabb's injuries keep him off the field...then again, they may be in trouble anyway as this simply is not their year. The Skins appear to be out of it, and that's unfortunate for Joe Gibbs and Co. This season has turned into a growing year for Jason Campbell, but I know that Washington fans are happy to have finally found what appears to be their future.
Do I need to talk about the AFC East? Are we all in agreement that the Patriots will be seen in January and the rest of the teams will be seen in August?
It will be interesting to see if this week's contests will change the landscape of any of the division races. Considering how these past few weeks have gone, I'd have to say the chances of that happening are about the same as Bill Belichick wearing his "homeless" sweatshirt this week.
- Green Bay Packers (9-1) at Detroit Lions (6-4): FOX, 12:30am EST, Thanksgiving Day - It's been awhile since a Detroit Thanksgiving game had any meaning for the Lions. Both teams have a lot at stake with Detroit wanting a playoff berth and Dallas playing the Jets three hours later setting up a showdown at Texas Stadium next Thursday night. The Pack have won the last three vs. Detroit, and the Lions have lost their last three Thanksgiving games. EDDIE'S PICK - GREEN BAY
- NY Jets (2-8) at Dallas Cowboys (9-1): CBS, 4:15pm EST, Thanksgiving Day - Dallas has the league's 3rd-ranked passing attack. The Jets secondary is ranked 29th. Do the math. EDDIE'S PICK - DALLAS
- Indianapolis Colts (8-2) at Atlanta Falcons (3-7): NFL Network, 8:15pm EST, Thanksgiving Day - Joey Harrington has been named the starter following Byron Leftwich's lame performance last week. This just in....Leftwich is now the starter....oh wait, no it's Harrington. EDDIE'S PICK - INDIANAPOLIS
- Buffalo Bills (5-5) at Jacksonville Jaguars (7-3): CBS, 1pm EST - The Jaguars are ranked 3rd in running the ball while Buffalo is 22nd in trying to stop it. QB David Garrard should be able to feast on the Bills' porous secondary as well. Maurice Jones-Drew could have a career day. EDDIE'S PICK - JACKSONVILLE
- Oakland Raiders (2-8) at Kansas City Chiefs (4-6): CBS, 1pm EST - No Larry Johnson. No Priest Holmes. Rookie RB Kolby Smith gets the start. The Raiders have lost to KC nine straight times. This is the NFL. EDDIE'S PICK - OAKLAND
- Houston Texans (5-5) at Cleveland Browns (6-4): CBS, 1pm EST - Both teams possess strong passing attacks and defenses that should be hidden from children. Expect a high-scoring affair. EDDIE'S PICK - CLEVELAND
- Tennessee Titans (6-4) at Cincinnati Bengals (3-7): CBS, 1pm EST - No, you don't need glasses. Those were really Vince Young's numbers vs. Denver's 8th-ranked secondary: 26 of 41 for 308 yards and a TD. The Bengals pass defense is 28th so if the Titans can avoid turnovers, this should be an easy win. EDDIE'S PICK - TENNESSEE
- Seattle Seahawks (6-4) at St. Louis Rams (2-8): FOX, 1pm EST - Seattle has won five straight vs. the Rams. Make it 6. EDDIE'S PICK - SEATTLE
- Minnesota Vikings (4-6) at NY Giants (7-3): FOX, 1pm EST - Figure this one out. The Vikings are ranked #1 in rushing offense AND rushing defense while being 4-6 with problems at QB and a horrendous secondary. NY has been feasting on QB's all year so I don't see them stopping now. EDDIE'S PICK - NY GIANTS
- New Orleans Saints (4-6) at Carolina Panthers (4-6): FOX, 1pm EST - The battle for second place in the NFC South pits a Saints team that has not beat Carolina in their last four meetings and a Panthers team that will turn to Vinnie Testaverde again to lead their pathetic offense. EDDIE'S PICK - CAROLINA
- Washington Redskins (5-5) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-4): FOX, 1pm EST - Both teams have a lot to lose if they drop this one. The Skins have lost three on the road while Tampa has lost at home only once this season. EDDIE'S PICK - TAMPA BAY
- San Francisco 49ers (2-8) at Arizona Cardinals (5-5): FOX, 4:05pm EST - Cardinals QB Kurt Warner has never lost to the Niners, and San Francisco has the league's worst defense. This could get ugly. EDDIE'S PICK - ARIZONA
- Baltimore Ravens (4-6) at San Diego Chargers (5-5): CBS, 4:15pm EST - If the Chargers want to stay at the top of the AFC West division, they need to stop RB Willis McGahee. This will force QB Kyle Boller to go to the air which hasn't been working for the Ravens lately. San Diego has won three straight at home. EDDIE'S PICK - SAN DIEGO
- Denver Broncos (5-5) at Chicago Bears (4-6): CBS, 1pm EST - Big plays seemed to follow Denver last Monday night vs. Tennessee up and down the field so they're hoping that continues vs. the Bears whose defense has been suspect all year. The Broncos are struggling on defense as well, but they don't have much to worry about vs. a Bears offense that is still in flux. EDDIE'S PICK - DENVER
- Philadelphia Eagles (5-5) at New England Patriots (10-0): NBC, 8:15pm EST - The line in Vegas is the highest for any NFL regular season game in history as the Patriots are 23-point favorites. This will increase if Donovan McNabb can't go due to his injuries. You'd be fine if you wanted to go look at Christmas lights. EDDIE'S PICK - NEW ENGLAND
- Miami Dolphins (0-10) at Pittsburgh Steelers (7-3): ESPN, 8:30pm EST, MNF - There is an excellent chance that RB Ricky Williams will see his first action in almost two years, and that means absolutely nothing. EDDIE'S PICK - PITTSBURGH
Bob Costas: 14-2, 109-51
Cris Collinsworth: 14-2, 108-52
Eddie Chinn: 13-3, 106-54
Cris Carter: 9-7, 102-58
Chris Mortensen: 14-2, 101-59
Dan Marino: 11-5, 99-61
Sean Salisbury: 10-6, 97-63
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