The Paydirt Report: Week 14The playoff picture is getting a lil clearer by the week. Or is it? The AFC West division title has been decided along with the AFC North and the NFC East. And the playoff teams in the NFC has been taken care of. But the division races in the NFC North, South and AFC East still need to be decided. There are still 4 teams in the AFC fighting for 2 Wild Card spots. So lets take a look at Week 14.
AFCWest
The Wild Wild West has been decided. The San Diego Super Chargers(11-3) has clinched their 5th West title thanks to their big win against Denver(9-5) 8-3. Kansas City(9-5) jumps into a tie with Denver for that last Wild Card spot as of week 14. Oakland(8-6) missed a golden opportunity this week losing to KC in a big game between them. One of many in their storied rivalry. All 3 teams are battling for a ticket to the dance.
East
With Miami's(11-3) lose to Green Bay, the NY Jets(10-4) move back within striking distance to grab the division championship. Have we heard this before?Miami has clinched a playoff berth and the Jets are still looking to do so. Both have tough game to close out the season and it may come down to Miami facing red hot New England(6-8) on the final week of the season. Im sure the Patriots would love to play spoiler. Buffalo(6-8) is playing out the season.
North
Cincinnati(9-5) clinches their 3rd AFC North title. A nice turn around from a tough season last year. Cleveland(6-8) can potentially have their first losing season in franchise history. Pittsburgh(5-9) and Baltimore(1-13) are off-season dreaming.
South
Houston(10-4) has already clinched the South and is trying to gain playoff positions in the closing weeks. Tennessee(5-9), Indianapolis(5-9) and Jacksonville(5-9) are trying to sort themselves out. Who wants second place?
NFCEast
Dallas(9-5) officially takes home the NFC East championship banner to hang up @ Texas Stadium. Philadelphia(5-8-1) finally bowed out and Washington(3-11) and NY Giants(1-12-1) have had awful seasons.
West
All Seattle(13-1) has to worry about besides injuries, is if they can get home field advantage throughout or not. Arizona(5-9) and Los Angeles(5-9) are tied for a meaningless 2nd place and San Francisco(4-10) trails the pack.
North
Speaking of Pack, The Detroit(11-3) and Green Bay(10-4) race for the North banner stays hot. Both teams win and are looking towards a week 16 showdown. Chicago(4-10) is watching from below and they are dancing in the streets of Minneapolis St Paul as Minnesota(1-13) wins their first game of the year. They tore down the goal posts and are turnover cars in the streets and lighting them on fire in jubilation. When did that become a thing? More importantly is why did that become a thing. Well thats for a whole other discussion now isnt it.
South
Tampa Bay(13-1) and Carolina(12-2) are still tracing punches like two prize fighter. Neither one wants to blink. The Bucs have two races going on at once. One for the division title and the other for home field advantage. After a tremendous turn around last season and a good first half of 1979, New Orleans(8-6) have finally fallen out of the race. After starting the season out 5-0, they have faltered 3-6 the rest of the way. Mcarovil will be combing through everything he can to see what happened to make correction for next year. Atlanta(3-11) struggles to close out the season with their 5th straight loss.
Games to Watch Week 15Green Bay @ Tampa Bay -
Battle Royal Detroit @ Miami -
Battle RoyaleCarolina @ Chicago
Dallas @ Houston
San Diego @ Oakland
Jacksonville @ Kansas City
NY Jets @ Denver