Dec 02 2008
Clinch Week
This week will be the first real chance that any NFL team has had a chance to clinch their division. Now, for the most part, the 4 teams that have an opportunity to clinch this weekend are already pretty much in the playoffs, baring any total meltdown.I am sure you all know of the New York Mets meltdown of 2007. I know; different sport. It is still the same issue.
For my readers that know me, I am a numbers guy. I pull them out, look at them, dissect them, reassemble them, throw them in a pot, stir fry them, and serve them over some noodles. So, lets take a look at each of the 4 teams. There are actually 2 from each conference.
First off, lets look at the AFC South, where the Tennessee Titans can claim their division with a win over the Cleveland Browns. However, they will need more than just that to do it. They also need for the Cincinnati Bengals to beat the Indianapolis Colts in Indianapolis. There is a fat chance of that happening. Tennessee locks in a spot in the playoffs but still has to wait another week to get the Division Title.
The other AFC team that has a shot to sew up their division is the Denver Broncos out of the AFC West. If they can manage to beat the Kansas City Chiefs in the cold weather of Denver, then they will be on their way to a division title. Once again though, they need help too. The Broncos need to pull for the Oakland Raiders to march into Qualcomm Stadium and whip the San Diego Chargers on Thursday night. This has a more probable chance than the previous scenario. Denver will win the AFC West this year. It is just a matter of which week will they do it in.
Over in the NFC, the New York Giants lead the NFC East as well as the entire NFC. They are also tied with the Tennessee Titans for the lead in the NFL. On Sunday, they will pursue the NFC East division title when they face the Philadelphia Eagle. If they win this game, they will have swept the Eagles and Redskins both in the NFC East with the Dallas Cowboys coming next week. However, the Giants can not win the division on their own this week. They need the services of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pittsburgh takes on Dallas at Heinz Field in the freezing cold. This is another conceivable scenario.
As for the last division title that can be handed out on Sunday, we head back west. This time we stop over in the NFC West were the Arizona Cardinals will be taking on the St Louis Rams. Once again, the Rams will need the help of the New York Jets who will be facing the San Francisco 49ers. If the Cardinals win and the 49ers lose, Arizona gets the tiara. I actually see this one happening unless hell opens up and swallows both teams.
Coin toss up! Who knows which will win this one.