It is time for my fearsome predictions of teams headed for playoff bliss and teams headed for playoff whiffs – the contenders versus the pretenders, the players versus the dreamers, and the combatants versus combustibles. 

With 6 weeks left in the regular season and no more byes to be had, the margin for error for most teams to make the playoffs save the Colts or the Saints is slim to none and as the saying goes slim is out of town. 

Let’s begin by taking a look at the contenders in the AFC. 

Contenders

New England Patriots (7-3)

If the game of the year was cemented by the ‘call of the year’ than the Patriots have already played and lost their biggest game to their rival Colts.  But, the 2^nd biggest game of the year may very well be next Monday’s showdown with the undefeated Saints in New Orleans.  Even if New England loses that game, and it says here that they will, the Patriots will still capture another AFC East crown this year.  

Cincinnati Bengals (7-3)

Contenders and Bengals are typically not words that are uttered in the same sentence – at least not for some time.  But the good folks down in Cincinnati who brought us 4 way chilli are understandably giddy over the prospect of seeing meaningful football being played in January (no thanks to Paul Brown).  If the Browns can hang on with Cedric Benson on the shelf and simultaneously put up with Larry Johnson’s antics, they could cause some damage in the playoffs.  These Bengals unlike some other teams with winning records have come by their record honestly after twice beating the Ravens and the Steelers – which gives them essentially a 2 game lead over the Steelers.  Notwithstanding the embarrassing loss to the Raiders this past week, the Bengals should learn their lesson and bring their A game against the likes of the Lions, Browns and Chiefs which should propel them to the top of the division and no less than a 10-6 record.  By the way, if you are looking for a stud linebacker for years to come – get your own – cause the Bengals will be keeping Rey Maualuga.

Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4)

Mike Tomlin indicated that Big Ben will play this week against the Ravens.  If that doesn’t tell you how big a game this is after a crushing defeat to the Chiefs this past weekend, I’m not sure what will, especially given the recent coverage given to concussions in the NFL, and the fact that last year’s playoff affair between these two teams might have been one of the hardest hitting in recent history.  The Steelers should win 4 of their last 6 games, which should put them in good stead to make the playoffs.  If they don’t, they are probably not playoff worthy, although it would be hard to imagine the Super Bowl champions from a year ago bumped so soon from the post-season. 

Baltimore Ravens (5-5)

One has to think the Baltimore Ravens are the best 5-5 team in the NFL.  In fact, they might be the best ever 5-5 team at this point.  But one has to think that the Ravens have at least a shot at running the table and finishing with an 11-5 schedule – that is if they can beat the Steelers twice.  Other than the Steelers, the Ravens play the Packers, Lions, Bears and Raiders.  Albeit their defence is not what it once was and perhaps that is result of the dilution of talent on the coaching staff – would you want to play this team in the first round of the playoffs? 

Indianapolis Colts (10-0)

The question isn’t if the Colts will make the playoffs.  The question is if the Colts can do what the Patriots valiantly attempted to do 2 years ago and go unbeaten through the playoffs capping it off with a Super Bowl victory.  Their victory over the Patriots would seem to indicate that this is their year, although I would take my chances and pick the Patriots in Foxboro or even a neutral field for that matter.  But with the road to the Super Bowl likely going through Lucas Oil Stadium, you have to like the Colts chances, and I like their chances of going unbeaten the rest of the regular season.  But as the Patriots experienced first hand it is another story to go unbeaten in the playoffs.  I’m not sure the Colts have all the tools to get it done. 

San Diego Chargers (7-3)

This team is flat out good on both sides of the ball – not great – but definitely good enough to make it to the playoffs and probably win a game or two.  With the most difficult part of their schedule behind them, the Chargers could realistically finish the season at 13-3.  There are so many options on offense, making this team extremely difficult to defend against.  I’m not a big Philip Rivers fan, but letting Drew Brees walk has not doomed this franchise.  It would certainly be a juicy sub-plot to see this team go up against Brees and the Saints in the big dance. 

Pretenders

Miami Dolphins (5-5)

Outside of the Bills, this team will play against some pretty tough opponents the rest of the way.  Chad Henne has done a fair to decent job in coming off the bench to replace the other Chad.  In fact, it might be said the Dolphins have not really missed the Pennington Chad given the Henne Chad’s performance.  The wildcat has continued to be entertaining and a Bill Parcells built team we would only expect like fine wine to get better with time.  However, it looks like this year this team will take a step back and will finish no better than 8-8 and out of the playoffs. 

N.Y.Jets (4-6)

An easier schedule the rest of the way for the Jets, but this team will have to leap to many other worthy candidates to make the playoffs.  Mark Sanchez looks to be a better than average QB in the NFL which bodes well for the Jets future, but Rex Ryan will probably shed a few more green crocodile tears before this team puts it all together. 

Jacksonville Jaguars (6-4)

Has any team attained a winning record any more quietly than the Jaguars?  Looking at the standings I am still surprised to see them sitting there at 6-4 and clearly nobody has alerted the fans in Jacksonville either.  But, I think it’s safe to resurrect the concern that was voiced last year with the Titans – who has this team played of significance and beat?  Yes, they played the Colts tough in the first game of the year losing by the slimmest of margins, but that was the first game of the year and it was a loss.  Since then they have racked up wins against teams only slightly better than the sisters of the poor.  And one has to wonder about the beatdown laid on them by the Seahawks 41-0.  The Jaguars may manage to eek out 3 more wins this year, but that will still probably not be good enough to put them in the playoffs.  At least the NFL won’t have to worry about lifting or not lifting a blackout for a playoff game in north Florida. 

Houston Texans (5-5)

This is a good football team that may be able to play with any team out there right now.  They just don’t seem to be able to win.  They are like the Wily E. Coyote who seemingly has the roadrunner in the bag, only to be outwitted at the end.  Gary Kubiak has to be scratching his head wondering what he needs to do to take it to the next level. It of course, did not help to lose at home on Monday night to the other 1^st round draft pick.  Even if the Texans go 4-2 the rest of the way, which is the best they can do, it won’t be good enough. 

Tennessee Titans (4-6)

Can we put this all on the shoulders of Kerry Collins?  All the evidence would suggest that we can, but it certainly isn’t that simple, and neither will be making the playoffs for the Titans.  This is a case of more than too little, but nevertheless too late. 

Denver Broncos (6-4)

So who is this team?  Is this a team that started 6-0 and had everyone talking of the Broncos as a shoe-in for the playoffs or this the team that lost 4 straight and just clobbered at home by their division rival Chargers?  The answer is that this team is both.  At it’s core the Broncos are a decent team as the sum of its parts, but it clearly has many holes at too many positions to be considered a lock for the playoffs despite a 6-4 record.  In a QB driven league it is somewhat perplexing that the bright and up and coming Josh McDaniels would feel comfortable with a tandem of Kyle Orton and Chris Simms going into the season.  And while the defence has played admirably with the leadership of Brian Dawkins, the offense has looked out of synch and is clearly lacking an identity.  The Broncos would be doing well to go .500 the rest of the way, which will leave them on the outside looking in.

The Duke