<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR vAlign=top><TD class=head2>Last call for the playoffs!</TD><TD width=5> </TD><TD align=right></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=2>(Dec. 28, 2004) -- Have the playoffs begun?
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<!--Deployed By andrewt 10.14.2004 17:6:15 Log:20041014170612_4713_andrewt-->No, the NFL plays the final week of its regular season this Sunday. But, according to
Mike Minter, the 2004 playoffs
have begun.
"It's going to be our first playoff game," says the Carolina Panthers safety, speaking of his team's clash with the New Orleans Saints this week in a game that will help decide an NFC playoff spot.
With only a week left to the season, Minter is essentially right. For the nine clubs vying for the NFL's final four playoff berths, it will be playoff pressure, playoff atmosphere. "Tell the fans to get ready," says Minter.
Everybody -- fan, player, coach -- is ready for the finale the day after New Year's. And as things conclude, there are some notable developments as the playoffs loom:
- The top six teams -- those with 11 or more wins -- combine for an .822 winning percentage (74-16), the highest ever through 15 games since the NFL went to the 16-game schedule in 1978. Call them the "Sensational Six."
- For the second season in a row, the NFL could boast six 12-win teams -- the most in history.
- Of the 17 clubs either in the playoffs or seeking playoff berths, seven did not make the postseason last year.
- For the third time since 2000, two teams -- Atlanta and San Diego -- went from "worst to first" in their divisions, finishing last a year ago and first in 2004.
- For the first time since homefield advantage was instituted in 1975, two teams from the same state earned the honor -- the Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers.
So, it's "do the math" time big-time. Seven clubs have won their divisions. Another has earned a playoff berth. And nine teams are vying for the final four spots.
"This is what players work 10 months for, coaches work 12 months for -- to have the opportunity we have right now," says Buffalo Bills head coach Mike Mularkey.
Where the opportunities lie in Week 17:
AFC EAST
Northeast power! The lone division with three clubs that can make the playoffs.
The
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (13-2) have clinched their third division in the past four years -- with two Super Bowl titles thrown in -- and have earned a first-round bye. They will be the No. 2 seed in the AFC.
The
NEW YORK JETS (10-5) and
BUFFALO BILLS (9-6) can capture playoff berths, with New York facing a simpler "win-and-you're-in" scenario.
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NFL FACTOID </TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=top><TD>
TD RECORD COMING UP!: Week 17 should lift the NFL into a season touchdown record. With nine TDs, the single-season record of 2002 (1,199) will be broken with 1,200 touchdowns. A total of 1,191 TDs have been scored this year. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
The Jets can enter their third playoff in the past four years. It is the fourth time in the last five years that New York has entered the final game of the season with the playoffs at stake. "Maybe that's just how we like it," says Jets running back
LaMont Jordan. "We like to do things the hard way and leave people on the edge of their seats."
The Bills can accomplish what only one other team in history has. They can join the 1992 San Diego Chargers as the lone teams in history to start the season 0-4 and make the playoffs.
Head coach Mularkey this week faces the team for which he was offensive coordinator from 2001-03 -- the Pittsburgh Steelers. Bills offensive coordinator Tom Clements was the Steelers' quarterback coach in those years also.
"With the connections we have between the two organizations," says Bills defensive end
Chris Kelsay, "and the chance we have to play them at home this week and get a playoff berth, it's almost fate."
Miami has been eliminated from the playoff race.
AFC NORTH
One team in -- and
are they! -- another knocking.
The
PITTSBURGH STEELERS (14-1), on a franchise-record 13-game winning streak -- have won the division and earned homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. They can top the team record for wins this week in Buffalo.
But it's winning homefield that psyches the Steelers. "Now teams are going to have to come in and deal with the weather, the field and our fans," says Pittsburgh wide receiver
Hines Ward. "You couldn't ask for a better situation."
The
BALTIMORE RAVENS (8-7) can clinch their fourth playoff berth in the past five seasons with a win this week over visiting Miami, plus other scenarios.
Head coach Brian Billick says there is only one thing to focus on -- defeating the Dolphins. "We have the promise and potential to get into the playoffs," he says. "That's what our focus is going to be."
Cincinnati and Cleveland have been eliminated from the playoff race.
AFC SOUTH
The record-setting Colts are in, the Jaguars are scrambling to be included also.
The
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (12-3) -- with
Peyton Manning setting the single-season TD pass record (49), while becoming the first club with three receivers with 10 or more TDs -- have clinched the division title and the No. 3 seed.
"We are happy about the regular-season records," says Colts head coach Tony Dungy. "But we are looking for the big prize once the playoffs start."
For the
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (8-7), the big prize right now is making the playoffs. They can do so this week with a win in Oakland and other scenarios.
Head coach Jack Del Rio doesn't concern himself with the "other scenarios." "All we can control is what we do," he says.
Houston and Tennessee have been eliminated from the playoff race.
AFC WEST
The
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS, 11-4 after tying for the fewest victories in the league last year (4-12), have won their first division title since 1994, the season they went to Super Bowl XXIX. They lost last week for the first time in nine games when they were edged in overtime by Indianapolis 34-31. San Diego, the No. 4 AFC seed, cannot improve its playoff position this week when it hosts Kansas City, but can win 12 games for the third time in club history.
"Kansas City is playing very well right now," says Chargers quarterback
Drew Brees. "Even though they're not playing for a playoff spot, I expect them to come here and play very well and try to end their season on a high note, just like we want to go into the playoffs on a high note."
The
DENVER BRONCOS (9-6) are playing for a playoff spot, and can capture one with a win, period.
"You've got to concentrate on your job," says Broncos head coach Mike Shanahan. "You never know what is going to happen. But it's sure nice to know that you're in control."
NFC EAST
The
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (13-2) set a club record for wins, went through the division undefeated for the first time in their history, were undefeated at home, and have earned homefield advantage throughout the playoffs.
"We love playing at home," says Eagles head coach Andy Reid. "I think it's tough on any opponent coming into Lincoln Financial Field and dealing with the fans."
Dallas, New York and Washington have been eliminated from the playoff race.
NFC NORTH
The Pack is in, the Vikes can be.
The
GREEN BAY PACKERS (9-6) have won their third division title in a row (they are the NFC's third seed), while becoming the ninth team in the Super Bowl era to make the playoffs after starting 1-4.
"We never give up," says Packers quarterback
Brett Favre. "That's been this team's M.O. all season, because we could have quit a long time ago."
The
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (8-7), after losing to the Packers in the division decider in Week 16, can secure a playoff berth with a win this week at Washington. That's the simple way. There are other scenarios that will get them in the postseason.
"I don't really want to get into scenarios," says Vikings linebacker
Keith Newman. "We have a chance to get it on our own."
Chicago and Detroit have been eliminated from playoff contention.
NFC SOUTH
Who would have thought two months ago that this could be one of the key games of Week 17?
On November 7, the
CAROLINA PANTHERS (7-8) were 1-7 and the
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (7-8) were 3-5. Since then, the Panthers have won six of seven, and the Saints four of seven, including their last three in a row.
For both teams when they square off in Carolina on Sunday, it's basically win-to-get-in (although a tie could benefit the Panthers). The loser goes home.
"We'll see how it all settles," says Carolina head coach John Fox, speaking really for both clubs. "Our guys have believed all year that it isn't where you start, but where you finish. We have one more step to get into the next tournament."
Of course, there is another NFC South club that is already in that tournament -- the division-champion
ATLANTA FALCONS (11-4), the No. 2 NFC seed. Atlanta's Jim Mora has posted the most wins ever by a Falcons first-year head coach.
The Falcs -- with nothing on the line -- play in Seattle this week in a game that could decide the NFC West. Atlanta will go full-tilt.
"If you want to be a great team, a championship team, you go out there and win regardless of the circumstances," says Falcons running back
Warrick Dunn. "We have to expect to win no matter the situation."
Tampa Bay has been eliminated from playoff contention.
NFC WEST
The lone division without a champion, but with two clubs that have been fighting for the title the whole year.
The
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (8-7) -- who have clinched their second consecutive playoff berth -- and the
ST. LOUIS RAMS (7-8) have been tied for the NFC West lead four times this season and only once has one club had more than a one-game lead over the other for the top two spots.
It will all be settled this weekend.
The Seahawks can win the third of their final four games and want that momentum going into the playoffs.
"Momentum is a crazy thing," says Seattle center
Robbie Tobeck, a former Falcon who will face his old team on Sunday. "Teams can get momentum late in the season, and that momentum can carry them to the Super Bowl."
The Rams, fresh from a 20-7 Monday night win over Philadelphia in which rookie running back
Steven Jackson led the way with 148 yards and a touchdown, are ready for the finale.
"After all the drama we've been through this year, to be in position to potentially get into the playoffs, how awesome is that?" says St. Louis head coach Mike Martz. "We will show up this week and lay it all out there."
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