The Paydirt Report: Week 14With 2 games to go in the 1981 regular season, we see some of the top team motoring along and a few teams slipping some. Could it be an actual slip or just getting guys healthy for the playoffs? Who knows but we do know that there are a few teams that are just hanging onto their playoff hopes and are winning down the stretch. Every team not only wants to make the playoffs but they want to go in with some home cookin and with the big mo on their shoulders. With all that said, lets see what else is going on in the rest of Paydirt.
AFCWest
San Diego(9-5) holds a slim 1 game lead over Kansas City(8-6) even after losing 2 straight. The Chiefs were able to grab a lil ground by going 1-1 the last two weeks. Denver(6-8) and Oakland(5-9) are out of it but are in great positions to play spoilers to close the year out.
East
Buffalo(11-3) has clinched a playoff spot and working on securing the Bills 3rd AFC East championship. Miami(10-4) is one of those top tiered teams that are on the slide. After their usual fast start the Dolphins have went 3-3 in the second half of the season. They will face Houston next week that could be a playoff preview. There are some unconfirmed reports out of Miami that the Dolphins GM might want out of his contract at the end of the year. The Dolphins front office has not returned our calls to confirm the rumor. NY Jets(4-10) although out of the hunt, gave the Bills all they could handle in week 13 but fell short of pulling off the upset. New England(3-11) gave the Patriots rookie GM pronfl51's 3rd career win.
North
Cincinnati(11-3) clinched the AFC North title while their division rivals Cleveland(8-6) is fighting for their playoff lives. They are battling Kansas City for the last Wild Card spot. Both teams have a tough last two games and will be a must see TV. Baltimore(4-10) and Pittsburgh(3-11) have both had rough seasons and look to regroup in 82' if they are able to hold onto their jobs at the end of the year.
South
Houston(9-5) has clinched another Silly South title. They hope to get healthy and maybe improve their playoff position. Tennessee(6-8) and Jacksonville(6-8) just didn't have enough at the end to challenge the Texans. Indianapolis(5-9) will reload and try it again in 82'.
NFCEast
Dallas(13-1) is touted as Paydirt's top franchise as it sets in week 14 with the only blemish on their record came at the hands of Seattle back in week 6. A lot has changed since then but you can bet the Cowboys have not forgotten. The NY Giants(8-6) on the other hand are doing all they can to keep their playoff hopes alive by winning 4 of their last 5 games. They are in a battle with Green Bay and Tampa Bay for that last ticket. Philadelphia's(6-8) with rookie GM Lucky are in a battle of their own for the rookie of the year award. The Eagles GM is tied with Titans rookie GM dd35 at 6-8. Washington(0-14) sits embarrassed with 0 wins with only two chances left to notch a win. The fans have a rally set up outside the Redskins front office calling for their interim GM's head. They plan on camping on the font lawn until they get a win or Beercloud is fired. In defiance beercloud announced that the protesters will not be able to use the franchise facilities and no port-a-potty's will get a license to be put on the premises. After a lil visualization and thinking it through, Beercloud has retracted that decision.
West
It looked like Seattle(11-3) was destine to have home field advantage throughout. And now they are fighting to get a first round bye and they are outside looking in. Los Angeles(6-8) continues to be on fire with their 5th win in a row. They have high hopes for the 82' season. And by the looks of how they are finishing out the season they are not just making noise. San Francisco(3-11) and Arizona(3-11) who made some noise of their own in the middle of the season are preparing for the off-season. They both have been seen scouting college games instead of in their offices game planning.
North
Detroit(11-3) has clinched a playoff spot and with a win this week @ Green Bay(9-5) they can also clinch the Lions 5th NFC North title. Minnesota(4-10) continues to play hard through the pain while Chicago(4-10) is still searching for their next GM.
South
The Super South is coming down to the wire with 3 team still in the playoff hunt. Atlanta(12-2) and Carolina(12-2) torrid battle for the division has continued all year long. They have split the season series and share the same divisional record. The Falcons hold a 1 game lead in the conference record category so the tie breaker will run deep. Atlanta has the easier schedule these last two games but will that be enough to decide it. Tampa Bay(8-6) is in that battle for the last Wild card spot a game behind Green Bay and tied with the NY Giants. These final two weeks should be exciting.
What to Watch: Week 15Denver @ Cleveland
Oakland @ San Diego
Kansas City @ Cincinnati
Carolina @ Tampa Bay
Atlanta @ New Orleans
NY Giants @ Dallas
Detroit @ Green Bay
Houston @ Miami
