The Paydirt Report: Week 12As we get into the 4th quarter of the season, the playoff races are starting to clarify themselves. Weeeell maybe except for the AFC. The NFC has some teams that are still alive like the NY Giants and Tampa Bay both sitting @ 6-6. But their hopes of a ticket to the big dance is equal to 90 yr old nudest sitting on a beach in China waiting for the prom queen he hasn't met send him an invite. I mean it could happen, but chances are.............
Meanwhile in the AFC is the polar opposite. Which is par for the course because ever since Paydirt opened it's doors in 1970, the 2 conferences have been like night and day. Cincinnati who was 8-8 last year and sitting home on the couch with tears dripping on their letter "e", are the only AFC team with a y next to their name and have a chance at home field advantage throughout. The West is only as half wild as it used to be with the East having a two horse race. And in the South? It's pure craziness. All in all, the AFC only has 3 teams that are eliminated and only one team with a guaranteed spot in the playoffs.
The rookie GM of the year chase have narrowed themselves down to a 2 GM race. dd35 and Lucky are at 5-7 with nflpro51 at 2-10. Although record alone doesn't seal the deal, it certainly doesn't hurt. Now lets see what went on in the rest of Paydirt.
AFCWest
San Diego's(9-3) big win over Kansas City(7-5) has opened up the Chargers lead in the West to 2 games. Denver(5-7) and Oakland(4-8) are just hangin on.
East
The race in the East has been a great one all year. Currently Miami(10-2) holds a slim 1 game lead over Buffalo(9-3) who has won 4 straight. NY Jets(4-8) and New England(2-10) are for the most part out of the playoff hunt. The Patriots "e" is official.
North
Cincinnati(10-2) has clinched their 4th AFC North title and is having a tremendous year. Cleveland(6-6) is in a battle for the last Wild Card spot, one game back of KC. Baltimore(3-9) and Pittsburgh(2-9) are the last two teams that have been officially eliminated.
South
Houston(7-5) has opened up a two game lead in the Silly South with a big win over Jacksonville(5-7). Indianapolis(5-7) defeated Tennessee(5-7) to knot things up for the runner up spot behind the Texans.
NFCEast
Dallas(11-1) is now in position to own the home field advantage throughout the playoffs. Is this finally the Cowboys year? There are a handful of other teams in the NFC that might have a say in it, but they control their own destiny. They own their 4th division in the last 5 years. NY Giants(6-6) are one of those teams in the NFC that are hanging on by a thread. Philadelphia(5-7) has bowed out and excepted their "e". The league office mailed Washington's(0-12) "e" to them in the pre-season.
West
Seattle(10-2) is human after all. They like many teams are battling the injury bug. Since they have the division clinched they have 4 games left to get everyone healthy for the playoffs. Los Angeles(4-8) has put together a 3 game win streak as they prepare for the off season. San Francisco(3-9) and Arizona(3-9) are playing upset roles to close the season out.
North
The NFC North mirrors the race in the AFC East with Detroit(10-2) leading Green Bay(9-3) by a game in a great race of their own. Chicago(4-8) with their interim GM and Minnesota(3-9) are also playing spoiler roles.
South
Both Atlanta(10-2) and Carolina(10-2) have separated themselves from a slumping Tampa Bay(6-6) team who has lost 3 in a row but still alive for the moment. Carolina and Buffalo are prolly in the best shape of any other playoff team in the league as far as being nicked up. New Orleans(5-7) has not gone down without a fight and most likely got a lil satisfaction by making it rough on a divisional foe Tampa Bay with their win over them this week.
Games to Watch: Week 13Tampa Bay @ Kansas City
Tennessee @ Jacksonville
Miami @ Buffalo
Green Bay @ Dallas
Houston @ Indianapolis
Seattle @ Atlanta -
Battle Royale
