NFL 2007 Forecast: Week 16

What a majestic weekend that lays before us! The spirit of Christmas is in high gear as families are wrapping up their shopping, touring neighborhoods looking for that "Griswold" house, baking, and setting up their fantasy football teams....ok, maybe that's just me.

The spirit of the NFL playoffs is also boiling as several teams should find out this weekend (barring any ties) if they get to play next month or will be home taking down the lights and raking the yard.

Here's a breakdown of the playoff picture as it looks now and what needs to happen for those "clinging on":

AFC EAST: New England has the crown, first round bye, and home-field advantage.

AFC NORTH: Pittsburgh can clinch the division with a win and CLE loss or a playoff berth with a win OR a TEN loss OR a Pitt & TEN tie.

Cleveland can clinch a playoff berth with a win OR a TEN loss OR a CLE & TEN tie.

AFC SOUTH: Indianapolis has clinched the division and a first-round bye.

Jacksonville clinches a playoff berth with a win or tie OR a TEN loss or tie OR a CLE loss.

Tennessee can clinch by winning the next two games and prayer.

AFC WEST: San Diego has won the division.

NFC EAST: Dallas has won the division and a first-round bye. They can obtain home field advantage with a win AND Green Bay loss.

NY can clinch a playoff berth with a win or tie OR a WAS loss or tie + a NO loss or tie.

NFC NORTH: Green Bay has won the division and a first-round bye.

Minnesota clinches a playoff berth with a win AND a NO loss.

NFC SOUTH: Tampa Bay has won the division.

New Orleans is still in the running but simply must win vs. Philly or else the season is over.

Carolina is mathematically in the running, but that's like saying Stephen Colbert is still in the running for the Presidency.

NFC WEST: Seattle has won the division.

Enjoy the weekend, football fans, and I want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas!

• Pittsburgh Steelers (9-5) at St. Louis Rams (3-11): NFL Network, 8:15pm EST, Thursday Night - If this Steelers defense doesn't shore itself up, this Rams team has what it takes to pull of the upset and play spoiler. Plus, the Steelers have struggled on the road. EDDIE'S PICK - ST. LOUIS
  
• Dallas Cowboys (12-2) at Carolina Panthers (6-8): NFL Network, 8:15pm EST, Saturday Night - Forget the talk surrounding Jessica Simpson and Romo's thumb. I'm guessing she won't be there after the media crucifixion from last week. Dallas has not lost on the road this season, and they know what is at stake. EDDIE'S PICK - DALLAS
• Cleveland Browns (9-5) at Cincinnati Bengals (5-9): CBS, 1pm EST - I can't believe I'm typing this...but...the NFL playoffs this season will include the Cleveland Browns. EDDIE'S PICK - CLEVELAND
• Kansas City Chiefs (4-10) at Detroit Lions (6-8): CBS, 1pm EST - Make a gingerbread house. EDDIE'S PICK - DETROIT
• Houston Texans (7-7) at Indianapolis Colts (12-2): CBS, 1pm EST - Indy is 10-1 vs. Houston, and coach Dungy has said that he is not resting any starters. Do the math. EDDIE'S PICK - INDY
• Oakland Raiders (4-10) at Jacksonville Jaguars (10-4): CBS, 1pm EST - Call 9-1-1. EDDIE'S PICK - JACKSONVILLE
• Green Bay Packers (12-2) at Chicago Bears (5-9): FOX, 1pm EST - Green Bay is packing some serious heat while the Bears are playing like cubs. EDDIE'S PICK - GREEN BAY
• NY Giants (9-5) at Buffalo Bills (7-7): FOX, 1pm EST - Steve Everett, who suffered a severe neck injury paralyzing him and nearly taking his life, will be at Ralph Wilson Stadium following a miraculous journey that might include him walking onto the field. You don't need much more karma than that. EDDIE'S PICK - BUFFALO
• Philadelphia Eagles (6-8) at New Orleans Saints (7-7): FOX, 1pm EST - A victory keeps the Saints in the playoff picture, and Philly is already out. I expect the home crowd to be on fire. EDDIE'S PICK - NEW ORLEANS
  
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-5) at San Francsico 49ers (4-10): FOX, 4:05pm EST - The Niners have won seven straight home games against the Bucs and are 14-3 overall in their series. EDDIE'S PICK - SAN FRANCISCO
• Atlanta Falcons (3-11) at Arizona Cardinals (6-8): FOX, 4:05pm EST - Atlanta's tumultuous season, including getting spurned by Bill Parcells to shape up the team, continues in the desert. EDDIE'S PICK - ARIZONA
• Miami Dolphins (1-13) at New England Patriots (14-0): CBS, 4:15pm EST - I expect Miami's new VP of football operations, Bill Parcells, will be in attendance to see his former team steamroll closer to perfection. EDDIE'S PICK - NEW ENGLAND
• Baltimore Ravens (4-10) at Seattle Seahawks (9-5): CBS, 4:15pm EST - Seattle has never beaten Baltimore in their two previous meetings. It's time to change that. EDDIE'S PICK - SEATTLE
• NY Jets (3-11) at Tennessee Titans (8-6): CBS, 4:15pm EST - Forgive me, Titans fans, but this looks about as exciting as the Music City bowl. EDDIE'S PICK - TENNESSEE
• Washington Redskins (7-7) at Minnesota Vikings (8-6): NBC, 8:15pm EST - Will the spirit of Sean Taylor be enough to keep the playoff hopes alive? Can the Vikings continue their amazing comeback after a dismal start on the shoulders of Adrian Peterson? This should be a great battle. EDDIE'S PICK - MINNESOTA
• Denver Broncos (6-8) at San Diego Chargers (9-5): ESPN, 8:30pm EST, MNF - No one seems to be talking about them, but could San Diego be the dark horse team in this year's playoffs? EDDIE'S PICK - SAN DIEGO
  

STANDINGS:

Cris Collinsworth: 9-7, 153-71

Bob Costas: 10-6, 150-74

Eddie Chinn: 8-8, 147-77

Dan Marino: 11-5, 147-77

Cris Carter: 10-6, 146-78

Chris Mortensen: 12-4, 141-83

Sean Salisbury: 9-7, 140-84