Definitely a puzzling game. A 94 yard INT returned for a TD by my lowest speed DB and a safety in a version where sacks don’t happen often. We definitely stole a win in this one. See you week 16!

Now I see why you dropped your head coach. That game plan was trash. I better figure it out quick or I might lose to the Colts and 49ers the way my team played today.

Thanks Seattle. Major test for the Saints traveling to the Northwest. Probably the best game they’ve played in 3 seasons. All you can do is ride the wave at this point until someone comes along and rains on our Mardi Gras parade.

GG Denver. I really dislike the current state of the game. Only 7 rushing plays for me and 50+ passes when the gameplan called for more like 50-50. 6 TOs don't help

Good game MM/KC....I really focused my gameplan with your pass rush in mind...Raiders QB Curtis has nightmares about being terrorized by KC pass rushers.

Always fun...the KC/Oakland rivalry has produced some great games.

Thank you, I really didn't expect to be in this position this season....I was completely on board with beercloud's preseason prediction.

Nice Game Miami... At least we scored a touchdown LOL :)

This is just like the real Jets QB play is just not there. Trying #3 QB next game. LOL :)

gg Titans, wow, you are having a season like i did in USFL. I went to the championship and the following season went 1-15, no matter what I did I couldn't put together wins, keep your head up I am sure you will bounce back.

GG Zona! Zero Int game!

The Rams are going to be tough to catch, but good luck the rest of the season!

GG Dallas

Dem Cowboys destroyed us in the 3rd quarter. yikes
Im gonna have to think outside the box these next few games or were headed to the couch to watch the playoffs.

NFC Quarterly Review

Well, here we are the final 4 weeks, the home stretch and there are 10 horses within a heads length to take one of the final 5 spots. I am not sure if this will make the view any more clear or hazy, but here goes. I have changed the order of reviewing the divisions to hopefully tell a story, but mainly because I am the writer and am allowed. This is extended version, so plan on a few minutes of reading.

North
This has been known for some time now. The Packers win the North. I have total respect and admiration for grandad, but there is a question that has risen over the past 4 games for me. How much of this was the Packers great playing and how much was due to playing in a down division this season. The rest of the division’s performance earned each of them a top ten draft pick as of today’s standings. The Packers 6-0 record within the division and 4-2 outside could be a reflection of trouble in the playoffs. The Pack have gone 2-2 over the past 4 and at times their offense looked anemic. They still have a top 5 offense and defense which gives them the edge as front runner for the championship regardless.

Vikings: 1979- 7 draft picks (1-1st, 1-2nd)
Lions: 1979- 10 draft picks (1-1st, 2-2nd’s)
Bears: 1979 7 draft picks (1-1st, 1-2nd)

East

Dallas is one of the teams that must read my column as I listed them as one of the teams that must win earlier in the season. They started 0-4 and since have gone 6-1-1 and wins against the Browns, Seahawks, and Giants, all playoff contenders. No disrespect intended, but their early losses to the Bengals, Eagles, and Vikings are huge now. They finish against the Ravens, Packers, and Giants, so it will be a tough road in their pursuit of the playoffs. I am still trying to figure out the Redskins, they went 1-3 in their last 4 and their defense has pretty much crash and burned. They still have a top ten offense with 2 of their remaining games against Giants and Browns. They also play against the Lions who have a very tough defense, so that offense will need to step up. The Giants, although one of my favorite stories have lost 3 in a row and going 1-3 over their last 4. It is nothing but an uphill battle at this point for New York. They have a top ten defense and do have a chance if they can win out. I love what beercloud has done, but I just don’t see the numbers working in their favor at this point. It is still possible for 2 playoff teams to come out of this division, but many teams will have to stumble for that scenario to play out. The most likely who wins the division goes to the playoffs, the rest stay home.

Eagles: 1979- 10 draft picks (3-2nd’s)

West

Depending on the day you check, there have been one of two teams at the top recently, Seattle and the Rams. The Rams currently hold the spot after going 3-1 over the last 4 and 7-1 over the last 8, that only loss, you guessed it, an overtime loss to Seattle. The Rams have done it with a top ten defense, but their offense is questionable. They have 3 potential playoff teams out of their final 4 games, Jacksonville, Seattle, and Arizona. They hold their own destiny. Seattle has gone 1-3 in their last 4 with that victory against the Rams obviously. Their defense and offense have both suffered. They finish against the Rams and the Cardinals. If they win out, they win the division. If not, then they will need help. I love the Cardinals organization and it is a direct reflection of the coachnorm leadership. They had been left for dead by the side of the road but managed to go 3-1 over their last 4 to still be a factor. The given at this point, they could win out and still win the division with some help. They could still be a wildcard team with some help. There are a few walls ahead in the likes of the Falcons, Rams, and Seahawks. I figure it will take at least 9 wins to get into the playoffs. I am giving them a win against the 49ers, so they must win 2 of the 3 to have a chance. The division winner will go to the playoffs, with a chance of an additional team winning the wildcard, depending on how the games in the South play out.

49ers: 1979- 7 draft picks (1- 1st, 1-2nd)

South
I intentionally saved this division for last, well because I am allowed :). I am not going to start with the division leader here. I am starting with New Orleans, mainly due to them being one of the hottest teams in the NFC, along with Los Angeles and Dallas. The only team to go 4-0 In the last 4 and winners of 7 straight, their only loss is to the Rams (note: might come into play at wildcard time). Those are not the reasons I choose to start with the Saints, the record speaks for itself. I choose them due to their next 4 games and they performance will pretty much determine the wildcard race in the conference. They play Atlanta twice, Tampa Bay, and Carolina. Their destiny is theirs alone and holds the destiny of other wildcard hopefuls. They win out and can still win the division with some help, but definitely gives them a wildcard with 2 victories over Atlanta or in the event of 2 loss’s with Atlanta which opens the door for teams from other divisions for the 2nd wildcard, a split, well… that is another story for wildcard ****. Tampa Bay has been the #1 defense in Paydirt for the entire season. They will need to have a total collapse, and something will have to freeze over for them not to make the playoffs. Their offense does seem to be sputtering which is cause for concern going forward. They do have games against the Dolphins, Saints, and Panthers remaining, so be aware of them potentially losing a first-round bye. The Falcons are in the same boat as the Saints, the exception is they boast a top ten defense. They play the Saints twice, Panthers, and Bucs. No disrespect to the Falcons, but there isn’t much to say except they and the Saints are joined at the hip right now. Finally, the Panthers, I hesitate to list them as a draft pick team today(13 in 1979 FYI) due to the fact if they win out, there is a slight chance to win a wildcard spot, once again many things will have to happen, but with games against Buffalo, New Orleans, Tampa, and Atlanta, can play spoiler not just in one conference, but two. Who ever said a potential last place finish can’t be successful? There are potentially 3 teams that can make the playoffs in this division but considering the amount of games inside the division remaining it is doubtful. There will definitely be two teams make the playoffs for sure though, there is no way around it, just which two?

Ok what does it all mean. I don’t know, but here are some previous contests to be aware of in case of a tie-breaker:

Washington: Giants(L-1), Cowboys(W-2), Panthers(W)
Dallas: Redskins(L-2), Giants(W-1), Buccaneers(T), Seahawks(W)
New York: Redskins(W-1), Cowboys(L-1), Rams(L), Falcons(L)
Los Angeles: Cardinals(L-1), Seahawks(L-1), Buccaneers(L), Saints(W), Falcons(W), Panthers(W), Giants(W)
Seattle: Cardinals(W-1), Rams(W-1), Cowboys(L), Panthers(W), Buccaneers(L), Falcons(L), Saints(L)
Arizona: Rams(W-1), Seahawks(L-1), Redskins(W), Buccaneers(L), Saints(L), Panthers(W)
Tampa Bay: Saints(W-1), Falcons(S), Panthers(L-1), Cardinals(W), Rams(W), Seahawks(W), Cowboys(T)
Atlanta: Buccaneers(S), Panthers(W-1), Rams(L), Giants(W), Seahawks(W)
New Orleans: Buccaneers(L-1), Panthers(L-1), Rams(L), Cardinals(W), Seahawks(W)
Carolina: Buccaneers(W-1), Saints(W-1), Falcons(L-1), Redskins(L), Seahawks(L), Rams(L), Cardinals(L)

***If I missed any games pm me and I will make the additions.


Quarter-Season Leaders
NFC Offense (total yardage)
1. Green Bay (#1 Paydirt)
2. Washington (#7 Paydirt)
3. Tampa Bay (#9 Paydirt)
4. New Orleans (#10 Paydirt)
5. Seattle

NFC Defense (total yardage)

1. Tampa Bay (#1 Paydirt)
2. Atlanta (#2 Paydirt)
3. Detroit (#3 Paydirt)
4. Green Bay (#4 Paydirt)
5. Los Angeles (#6 Paydirt)

Keep in mind this is just speculation of the writer, the only teams eliminated are noted in the standings and Paydirt accepts no responsibility for its content.