Playoff Picture Still Murky

Week 15 is over and the NFC Playoff Picture is as murky as ever. With only two positions clinched (the New York Giants in the East and the Arizona Cardinals in the West), eleven teams are very much alive. Shockingly, the Giants, who a mere two weeks ago (i.e. before the Plaxico Burress fiasco and suspension) looked like they had home field advantage throughout the playoffs locked up, have been tied at 11-3 by the Carolina Panthers.

In the AFC, less teams are alive, but the battles are just as close. Ignoring tie-breakers, three teams (the Jets, Patriots and Dolphins) are still tied for the East lead. In the Wild Card race, the Ravens are also at 9-5 and the Colts only a game ahead at 10-4. And the Pittsburgh Steelers are now only a game back of the mighty Titans after Tennessee’s stunning upset at the hands of the now 7-7 Texans (who, if they win out and stretch their streak to 6 in a row, will achieve their first ever winning season).

And as if the overall tightness of the playoff races didn’t already make Week 16 thrilling enough, first and second place are on the line in both conferences, with Pittsburgh visiting Tennessee and Carolina visiting the Giants (on Sunday night). Wow.

Does it get any better than this?

• January 12, 2009 -- Divisional Round Dish (0)
• November 25, 2008 -- EnEfElquality (0)
• December 1, 2008 -- December (0)
• January 24, 2009 -- U Kan Koach in the NFL (.com)! (3)
• January 16, 2009 -- NFL Playoff Picking (3)