NFL Playoff Schedule

Wild Card Weekend -- January 3-4

Divisional Playoffs -- January 10-11

Conference Championships - Sunday, Jan. 18

Super Bowl XLIII -- Feb. 1 -- Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay

If the season were to end today the playoff teams would be (I know its early but why not):

NFC Seeds (1-6)

1. New York Giants 4-1 -- I still worry that missing both their starting DE's from last year will hurt their D and I still think Eli is a somewhat flawed QB but they just keep winning and winning. Plaxico's suspension from the team should add some more drama to this team but so far nobody has been able to stop them.

2. Arizona Cardinals 4-2 -- Kurt Warner & crew continued to impress me today (at least the offense, the D still needs some work) as they took out the Cowboys in a pretty thrilling fashion. I see a lot of holes (like the defense) but they have a 2 game lead on their division and as long as Warner stays healthy this team has a very good shot at the playoffs.

3. Carolina Panthers/Atlanta Falcons/Tampa Bay Buccaneers 4-2 -- The Bucs shocked many when they handily defeated the Panthers who were just starting to look really good. Now this division has a 3 way tie for 1st but its very likely 2 of these 3 teams will not make the playoffs even as a wildcard.

4.Chicago Bears/Green Bay Packers/Minnesota Vikings 3-3 -- Similar to the NFC South the NFC North also has 3 teams tied for first as the Bears forgot to cover the sidelines with 6 seconds left on the clock. I feel like the Pack does not belong here as Rodgers has been good but won't be good enough and they have the weakest D of the 3. Also like the South its very likely only 1 of these 3 teams makes it to the playoffs.

T5-6. Dallas Cowboys 4-2 -- A couple losses now has people doubting this trendy early pick for the Super Bowl. The Cowboys have one of the best offenses in the NFL but definitely are struggling right now. This loss to the Cards will make it tough for the Cowboys to win their division but I would be shocked if they don't make a wildcard slot. Romo's injury should also make this very interesting as 17 year vet Brad Johnson tries to step in for the next 3 games.

T5-6. Washington Redskins 4-2 -- After some great divisional victories overthe Cowboys & Eagle the Skins had the inside track in their weak schedule but Jim Haslett has thrown a wrench into that outlook as Campbell looked as bad as he did week 1 as the Skins were beaten by the lowly Rams at home.

AFC Seeds 1-6

1. Tennessee Titans 5-0 -- Like the Bills the Titans D is leaving a memorable impression on opponents. I like Chris Johnson & Lendale White and a more well rounded offense but both Collins & Vince Young will hinder the Titans in the playoffs.

2. Buffalo Bills 4-1 -- Besides Lynch, I'm not crazy at all about their offense & Jauron's very conservative style but their defense continues to win them games. A nice X factor is their special teams, some great returners and Lindell is money right now.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers 4-1 -- I like this team but not their coach very much (Mike Tomlin). Seems like every game I watch I see some pretty obvious decision making errors which will again hurt them in the playoffs like last year (just kick the extra point!).

4. Denver Broncos 4-2 -- Cutler is looking like he could really be the next Elway unfortunately his defense looks very, very shaky. I see this being a liability for the Broncos especially in the playoffs but fun to watch unless you are starting a Broncos running back on your fantasy team. Despite their recent loss to the Jags they still have a small lead over the Chargers (1 game) who will challenge them for the division.

T5-6. New England Patriots/New York Jets/Indianapolis Colts 3-2 -- I'd be shocked to see Favre and his Jets hang with these 2 teams especialy now that the Colts seemingly have their groove back. The Pats looked pretty bad vs. the Chargers but have a pretty easy schedule for the remainder of the season meaning Favre will have to be lights out all year to sneak the Jets into the playoffs.

Yes, you're hearing Jim Mora Sr. soundbites on tv again. Yes its that time of year. The NFL Playoffs is right around the corner and as the schedule is not set yet, most of the teams already are. If you're not an avid fan you might need this guide when these excellent teams start doing battle January 5th on Wildcard Weekend. This article will be updated as a few of the teams involved still have some work to do to make it to wildcard weekend and the actual NFL Playoff Schedule won't be announced until after Week 17.

I'll start with the NFC since it is the more entertaining conference.

#1 Seed--Dallas Cowboys--Thanks to the Bears and a distracted Brett Favre, the Cowboys now have wrapped up the one seed in the NFC. They no longer have to worry about the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field and now have the easiest path to the Superbowl. They have an important game against Washington this week but with TO out with a high ankle sprain I doubt the Cowboys play their starters much past the 2nd half. I expect after their bye week TO will be back (he's a remarkable healer) and they will be playing a wildcard winner perhaps around January 13th.

#2 Seed--Green Bay Packers--The Packers still have a nice seeding and first round by however will have to play in Dallas assuming both teams survive the 2nd week of the NFL playoffs. They will still be tough but Favre is not his best in domes and Dallas should beat them in the 3rd week of the playoffs again assuming no one upsets those teams before then.

#3 Seed--Seattle Seahawks--The Seahawks have quietly had a decent season considering some of their injuries. They don't feel like a dangerous team but at 10-5 they've played good enough most of their games. They are also 7-1 at home which is where they'll play wildcard weekend against most likely the lucky Redskins, but perhaps the Vikings or Saints depending on Week 17. The only fear I have for Seattle is that they might face a team with a lot of momentum and a fearless attitude so it might be quite a game.

#4 Seed--Tampa Bay Buccaneers--The Bucs know they'll be facing the New York Giants who have recently lost Jeremy Shockey, one of their major weapons. The Giants are still a dangerous foe but at home the Bucs should win.

#5 Seed--New York Giants--With Shockey out and Plaxico Burress carrying some nagging injuries the Giants are definitely underdogs as they limp into the playoffs. They face the Patriots Saturday night in a meaningless game for the, not quite as meaningless for the Patriots & NFL history. If Tom Coughlin (NY Coach) is smart he rests his starters to get healthy for the game in Tampa. So there is a good chance he plays his starters but either way it will be an uphill battle against a decently solid Tampa Bay team.

#6 Seed--Washington Redskins--By beating the Vikes last week Joe Gibbs has one more shot at the playoffs. They play a tough Dallas team but I expect Dallas to rest their starters for at least half the game. The Skins should win and become the 6 seed giving them a lot of momentum as they will face Mike Holmgren & Seattle during wildcard weekend. If they lose, they need the Vikings and Saints to follow suit to keep their seeding.

UPDATED 12/30: The Skins have won so they are in and the Vikings are out.

Outside looking in--Minnesota Vikings/New Orleans Saints-- The Vikings only need a Redskin loss and need to beat the Denver Broncos to secure the 6 seed. The Saints need both Redskin & Viking losses and a win against the Bears at blistery Soldier Field. Most likely neither are in but you never know.

UPDATE 12/30: The Saints with their loss to Da Bears are out no matter what. With the Skins beating Dallas the Vikings are also toast even though it looks like they will lose as well.

The AFC also has a few interesting scenarios

#1 Seed--New England Patriots--No surprise here as this undefeated team has home-field throughout like Dallas. Surprisingly the bad New England weather might not be the best thing for Brady & Moss as they haven''t been as good in the bad weather this year. They are still the favorite to win it all though.

#2 Seed--Indianapolis Colts--The Colts have wrapped up a first round by but will have to play in New England if both juggernauts aren't upset before then. Bad weather might be more condusive for the Colts D and better running game but we'll have to wait a few weeks to see.

#3 Seed--San Diego Chargers--The hapless Chargers have won their division and look poised to face either the Titans or Browns. Given San Diego's past and Norv Turner's coaching expertise, they will need to play hard on wildcard weekend to advance.

#4 Seed--Pittsburgh Steelers--The Steelers lost Willie Parker and think they will be alright but I believe this has seriously weakened their run first philosophy offense. Parker quietly was leading the AFC in yards before his injury. I expect the Steelers to squeeze out a tight one against the Jaguars only to get slaughtered the week after.

#5 Seed--Jacksonville Jaguars--Jack Del Rio seems like a genius cutting Byron Leftwich before the season but I think this trend ends in Pittsburgh. Garrard has played great at QB and their dual RB attack and tough D is fierce but not playoff caliber.

#6A Seed--Cleveland Browns--The Browns are in a strange role, they have no control of their own destiny due to NFL tiebreaking procedures. If the Titans win the Browns are out, if the Titans tie or lose to Indy the Browns are out

UPDATED 12/30- Tragedy for Crennel as the Titans defeat Jim Sorgi and the Colts practice squad to know the Browns out of contention.

#6B Seed--Tennessee Titans--The Titans have to face the mighty Colts Sunday Night and their playoff lives rest in the balance. Sounds bad but Tony Dungy will most likely rest Manning and the rest of his starters for at least half the game. This leaves the door wide open for the Titans to sneak int the playoffs before the Cursed Vince Young will lose it for them later, possibly in San Diego.

Once the exact times of the games are announced I will update but pretty much the schedule will be:

• NFL Wildcard Weekend (3-6 seeds play)--Saturday January 5th & Sunday January 6th
• NFL Divisional Games (1-2 & remaining teams play)--Saturday January 12th & Sunday January 13th
• NFL Conference Championships (the "final four")--Sunday January 20th
• And then a bye week so the Superbowl can be overly-super-hyped like almost every year
• Super Bowl XLII in Arizona Sunday Night February 3rd. May the best team win.