The last week of the 2008 regular season has arrived.
When the clock hits :00 at the end of the Chargers-Broncos game Sunday night, it will mark the end to one of the most intoxicating, bizarre, and delirious seasons ever.
We saw players rise from the grave and look young again. Obscure bench warmers and rookie projects rose to the occasion when called upon and looked like true veterans. There were teams that exceeded expectations while others destroyed them. Chemistries were toyed with due to injuries and off-field drama.
Let's take a look at the final slate of games for all 32 teams and what their status appears to be as the NFL approaches the door step of that crucial tour called The Playoffs.
- St. Louis Rams (2-13) at Atlanta Falcons (10-5): FOX, 1pm EST - The front office of the Rams is under construction which will more than likely include Jim Haslett being replaced. St. Louis needs serious upgrades on the field as well. The Falcons have been a fantastic story this season being led by a rookie QB in Matt Ryan and RB Michael Turner. Atlanta is in the playoffs but needs a win plus a Carolina loss to win the NFC South.
- Detroit Lions (0-15) at Green Bay Packers (5-10): FOX, 1pm EST - Since the 1970 NFL merger, only one team has had a winless season: Tampa Bay (0-14). Detroit beat that mark last week and looks to extend it vs. a Green Bay team that struggled in its first season under Aaron Rodgers. Rod Marinelli will probably get the axe.
- NY Giants (12-3) at Minnesota Vikings (9-6): FOX, 1pm EST - A win at home or a Chicago loss gives Minnesota the NFC North crown. A loss plus a Bears win at Houston knocks the Vikes out of the playoffs. All-but-forgotten Gus Frerotte did a great job keeping Minnesota in the mix of things, but if QB Tarvaris Jackson can't get the job done, then look for Minnesota to find a new QB in 2009. I think Plaxico is in the Giants' rear view mirror.
- Carolina Panthers (11-4) at New Orleans Saints (8-7): FOX, 1pm EST - A win over the Saints or a Falcons loss will give Carolina the NFC South crown and a first-round bye. New Orleans is out of the playoffs, but will want to defend the home turf where they are 6-1 this season. This could be the last game for Deuce McAllister in a Saints uniform.
- Chicago Bears (9-6) at Houston Texans (7-8): FOX, 1pm EST - Both teams feature dynamic rookie RB's (Matt Forte and Steve Slaton respectively) who have contributed greatly. The Texans have had a strong second half and would love to win the last game at home. Chicago needs a win and Vikings loss to claim the division. If they win while Dallas and Tampa loses, then the Bears get the last wild card spot.
- New England Patriots (10-5) at Buffalo Bills (7-8): CBS, 1pm EST - When Tom Brady went out for the year in Week 1, the sky appeared to fall. But, a lowly wanderer named Matt Cassel learned the ways of an NFL QB from Yoda Belichick and now has the Pats on the brink of the playoffs. They must win plus get a loss by Miami to win the AFC East or get a win and a Ravens loss to grab a wild card. I expect Cassel will be in high demand next season. Buffalo's Dick Jauron is on very thin ice which is cracking.
- Kansas City Chiefs (2-13) at Cincinnati Bengals (3-11-1): CBS, 1pm EST - When Chiefs GM Carl Peterson "resigned" eleven days ago, that pretty much spelled doom for Herm Edwards. KC's new GM has their work cut out for them. Meanwhile, Cincy will probably keep Marvin Lewis and chalk this season up as a loss due to vast injuries and no Carson Palmer.
- Tennessee Titans (13-2) at Indianapolis Colts (11-4): CBS, 1pm EST - Most of the starters of both teams will see little playing which can only mean one thing: Vince Young. These two teams very well could meet again in the playoffs and are very solid for next year. Kerry Collins was looking at Medicare benefits when he got called into action early this season and has done an exceptional job. Look for him to get a new contract.
- Cleveland Browns (4-11) at Pittsburgh Steelers (11-4): CBS, 1pm EST - Romeo Crennel will be fired Monday if not Sunday night. GM Phil Savage is probably gone too. Rebuilding is an understatement, but they do have a QB in place in Brady Quinn. The Steelers are a very dangerous contender in the playoffs and need to stay healthy.
- Oakland Raiders (4-11) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-6): CBS, 1pm EST - It's quite simple for Tampa. They must beat Oakland and then Philly beat Dallas if they want to lock up the final wild card spot. The Raiders are bound to kick Tom Cable to the curb since they like doing that to head coaches.
- Jacksonville Jaguars (5-10) at Baltimore Ravens (10-5): CBS, 4:15pm EST - What can you say about Baltimore? A rookie head coach and quarterback plus this black-n-blue defense have far exceeded expectations. A win at home vs. the disheartening Jags will lock up the final playoff spot in the AFC. Jacksonville should keep most of the team in tact but need to improve their defense and get some play makers at WR.
- Miami Dolphins (10-5) at NY Jets (9-6): CBS, 4:15pm EST - These two franchises have had remarkable years. The iconic Brett Favre comes out of retirement to lead the lowly Jets who jettisoned Chad Pennington paving the path for him to become Miami's QB. Coming off a 1-15 2007 season, Pennington has led the Dolphins to a possible division title and only Favre and the Jets stand in his way. A win by Miami nails the division. TheJets are in with a win and a New England loss. I expect Mangini and Favre to not be back next season if NY fails to make the playoffs.
- Washington Redskins (8-7) at San Francisco 49ers (6-9): FOX, 4:15pm EST - Not much to say here. The Skins started the year off very strong but faltered big time under rookie head coach Jim Zorn. In all fairness, Zorn will be back to prove that he needed a year to learn the position. San Fran head coach Mike Singletary is 4-4 since taking over for Mike Nolan and all reports are saying that he will become the permanent leader after Sunday.
- Dallas Cowboys (9-6) at Philadelphia Eagles (8-5-1): FOX, 4:15pm EST - Despite key injuries to star players, off-field distractions, and a humiliating loss last week in Texas Stadiums' finale, the Cowboys are close to making the playoffs. A win in Philly does it while the Eagles need a victory and a spirit of giving by other clubs to sneak in. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones swears that Wade Phillips isn't going anywhere regardless of Sunday's outcome. Andy Reid should be back but will be on a hot seat from Week 1if Philly loses.
- Seattle Seahawks (4-11) at Arizona Cardinals (8-7): FOX, 4:15pm EST - This is Mike Holmgren's last game as the head coach of the dismal Seahawks as Jim Mora Jr. will take over in 2009. It has been rumored that Holmgren may decide not to retire allowing him to be a free agent. The Cardinals have looked pretty bad the last two games (both losses) so expect Kurt Warner and Co. to treat this like a playoff game and look to build momentum leading into January.
- Denver Broncos (8-7) at San Diego Chargers (7-8): NBC, 8:15pm EST - Doesn't get much more plain that this. The winner wins the AFC West while the loser gets to watch the playoffs from home. Denver had a three game lead with three to play, but have lost their last two while San Diego won their last three in a row. Both coaches should be back next year as they look to upgrade the talent level especially on defense.
STANDINGS
Eddie Chinn: 10-6, 159-81
Chris Mortensen: 6-10, 158-82
Mark Schlereth: 9-7, 155-85
Mike Golic: 9-7, 144-95
Ron Jaworski: 8-7, 147-77
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