Handicapping NFL pretenders and contenders

Dec 2, 2008 - 4:35 AM By Tom Torrisi PA SportsTicker Pro Football Editor

As the NFL reached the three-quarter pole Sunday, it's time to handicap the postseason race and separate the contenders from pretenders.

Six teams - four division winners and two wild cards - make the playoffs from each conference.

So by conference, here we go:

AFC

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East

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New York Jets (8-4) - Sitting on the pole position with a precarious one-game lead. Pro: Ultra-favorable schedule. Con: They are the Jets (see Sunday's home loss to Denver). Forecast: They'll sweat more than they should but will find a way to get at least a wild card.

New England Patriots (7-5) - Looking up at Jets in division and Colts and Ravens for wild card. Pro: Despite three road games left, they are against powder puffs Seattle, Oakland and Buffalo. Con: Wild card tiebreakers not in their favor. Forecast: Barring collapse by Baltimore, will be on outside looking in.

Miami Dolphins (7-5) - In similar predicament as Patriots. Pro: Just the fact they're talking playoffs after 1-15 debacle a year ago. Con: Three road games left, albeit against lesser competition. Forecast: It was a nice run, Cinderella, but time to go home.

Buffalo Bills (6-6) - Haven't beat a team with a winning record, and last four opponents all are above. 500. 'Nuff said. Order up some hot wings for another long winter.

North

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Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3) - Should be home free for at least a wild card after big win at New England. Pro: Season finale is home vs. Cleveland, which would guarantee at least 10 wins. Con: Brutal schedule with Dallas and away games at Baltimore and Tennessee. Forecast: They're in, but they can't afford let-up.

Baltimore Ravens (8-4) - Have one-game edge over Patriots and Dolphins. Pro: Three home games in final four. Con: Rugged schedule with games against Washington, Pittsburgh, Dallas and Jacksonville. Forecast: They squeeze out two victories to squeeze out New England and Miami.

South

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Tennessee (11-1) - They're in, but they'd like to clinch before closing season against Pittsburgh and Indianapolis. Con: None. Forecast: First-round bye and home-field throughout playoffs.

Indianapolis Colts (8-4) - Front-runner for wild card despite several close calls. Pro: Facing little sisters of the porous - Cincinnati and Detroit - at HOME in the next two weeks. Con: They play Cover-2 but don't cover the number. Forecast: Dangerous, dangerous wild card who could follow 2006 road to Super Bowl title.

West

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Denver Broncos (7-5) - Three games up on San Diego with four to play in division. Pro: Visits from Kansas City and Buffalo in next three weeks could wrap up West. Con: They got mauled at home by dismal Raiders two weeks ago. Forecast: Will wrap up division before final-week showdown against stumbling Chargers.

San Diego Chargers (4-7) - The fact they're even in the discussion speaks volumes about the division. Pro: Three of final four are against West foes. Con: They always find a way to lose. Forecast: They shoot horses, don't they?

NFC

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East

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New York Giants (11-1) - Looking bullet-proof even with Plaxico Burress fiasco. Pro: See current seven-game winning streak. Con: Unless Antonio Pierce is summoned to league offices for his part in Burress episode, none obvious. Forecast: Home-field advantage throughout playoffs and a prohibitive favorite to return to Super Bowl.

Dallas Cowboys (8-4) - Seemed to have regained their footing following midseason swoon. Pro: Suspect pack of pursuers for final wild card slot. Con: Rough final four games for a team that handles December like A-Rod does October. Forecast: Minimum of 10 wins and inviting first-round playoff matchup.

Washington Redskins (7-5) - Stumbling down the stretch, albeit against tough schedule. Pro: Matchups with Cincinnati and San Francisco remaining. Con: Have scored 43 points in last four, losing three. Forecast: Like George Bush, 4-1 start a distant memory. It's all but over.

Philadelphia Eagles (6-5-1) - Yes, they still have hope, but will be haunted by 13-13 tie with Bengals that will leave them on outside looking in.

North

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Minnesota Vikings (7-5) - Holding one-game lead over Bears in division. Pro: Lions up next to keep momentum going. Con: Pro Bowl tackles Kevin and Pat Williams could be suspended this week. Forecast: If the Williams avoid a suspension, they'll beat Bears to finish line.

Chicago Bears (6-6) - Three losses in last four have made it uphill climb. Pro: No opponent has winning record from here in, including three straight home games. Con: Only chance for playoffs is to win division. Forecast: Lose tiebreaker to Vikes for North title.

South

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-3) - Have won four in row and six of seven. Pro: Two wins and in; one might even do it. Con: Back-to-back road games could make players tight: Forecast: Get to 11 wins and win division on tiebreaker.

Carolina Panthers (9-3) - 6-0 at home behind grind-it-out running game. Pro: See Tampa Bay. Con: Disturbing habit of playing to level of competition. Forecast: Tie Bucs for division but settle for wild card.

Atlanta Falcons (8-4) - One of the league's feel-good stories of the season. Pro: Schedule not exactly backbreaking. Con: Teams in front of them are both red-hot. Forecast: 10-win season but no postseason slot.

West

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Arizona Cardinals (7-5) - Three-game lead with four to play. Pro: Could lose out and possibly still win division. Con: See team history. Forecast: Clinch West by slapping around feeble Rams on Sunday.