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| In a 16-team playoff field, the Jets would control their destiny right now. |
But you have to draw the line somewhere. Since the NFL expanded to eight divisions in 2002, six teams with a .500 record or worse made the playoffs. If the playoffs had included 16 teams, that number would have been TWENTY-TWO. Twenty-two teams that couldn't even muster a winning record, but still could have a chance to win the Super Bowl in January. Short-term, I see the dollar-signs. Long term, the law of diminishing returns still applies. Even for a product as popular as football.
Last week: 6-10
Regular season: 105-99-4
New York Giants at Atlanta Falcons
My PFF preview for this game breaks down the success of the Giants' inside runs, Tony Gonzalez's poor playoff performance at the Meadowlands, and Asante Samuel's startling success versus Eli Manning. Click here for the full analysis. Matt Ryan rarely loses at the Georgia Dome, but I like the Giants' offensive balance more than Atlanta's right now.
The Pick: Giants (+2)
Denver Broncos at Baltimore Ravens
Back in Week 8, a friend asked me who the best team in the NFL is, and I chose the Broncos. I haven't changed my mind.
The Pick: Broncos (-3)
Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears
Clay Matthews is back just in the nick of time. Without him, the Packers had no playmakers in their front seven.
The Pick: Packers (-3)
Washington Redskins at Cleveland Browns
I think Robert Griffin III will play. But I also don't think he'll be able to do all of the things that makes the Redskins offense so dangerous.
The Pick: Browns (+1.5)
Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans
The Texans' defense has been reeling, but they'll be happy to see a Colts offensive line that PFF ranks 30th in pass protection this season.
The Pick: Texans (-9)
Jacksonville Jaguars at Miami Dolphins
After a good start with the Jaguars, Chad Henne is choking away his last opportunity to be a franchise quarterback. He'd love to show his old team what they gave up on.
The Pick: Jaguars (+7)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints
The Bears were the only NFC team to suffer a more crushing loss last week than the Bucs did. They won't let their playoff hopes die this quickly.
The Pick: Buccaneers (+4)
Minnesota Vikings at St. Louis Rams
Minnesota has no offensive weapons beyond Adrian Peterson. That hasn't stopped them before.
The Pick: Vikings (+2.5)
Detroit Lions at Arizona Cardinals
I haven't seen an offense as hopeless as Arizona's is right now.
The Pick: Lions (-6.5)
Seattle Seahawks at Buffalo Bills
Russell Wilson should be glad this game is in a dome and not the swirling Buffalo winds (17% of his passes travel more than 20 yards downfield, 2nd-highest rate in the league).
The Pick: Seahawks (-5.5)
Carolina Panthers at San Diego Chargers
For all the talk of his sophomore slump, you wouldn't know that Cam Newton's 8.3 Yards Per Pass Attempt is tied with RG3 for the NFL lead.
The Pick: Panthers (+3)
Pittsburgh Steelers at Dallas Cowboys
Big Ben returned last week, and immediately was running for his life (he faced pressure on 24 of his 48 dropbacks). Paging DeMarcus Ware...
The Pick: Cowboys (+1.5)
Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland Raiders
The Raiders have lost six games straight. The Chiefs have won one of their last 10. Let's go with the home team.
The Pick: Raiders (-3)
San Francisco 49ers at New England Patriots
It's been a while since the Patriots lost at home in December. But it's been a while since they faced a defense as good as the 49ers'.
The Pick: 49ers (+4.5)
New York Jets at Tennessee Titans
You know ESPN chose this game hoping that Tim Tebow would be leading the Jets on an improbable playoff chase by this time. Instead, in a week that's chock-full of enticing matchups, they have a stinker.
The Pick: Jets (+2)
Follow me at @PFF_Pete
Odds found here
Image found here
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