Three Point Stance 12.27.08: The Playoff Race, Fans Forum, Weekly Awards, and Predictions for Week 17!

Posted by Cody Dalton on 12.27.2008

411mania’s Cody Dalton talks about the potential playoff contenders, Fans Forum, Weekly Awards, and Predictions for the final week in the NFL season in this edition of Three Point Stance!

Welcome back everyone to another edition of the Three Point Stance. Last week, I discussed the potential games that decided home-field advantage and could be Conference Championship rematches this off-season, as well as Fans Forum, awards, and predictions. This week, I'm going to cover more of the NFL and were going to start with the playoff race….

PLAYOFF PUSHES AND PRESSURE


"On Romo, and Ronnie, and Ravens-a-blitz'n"

With one week to go in the NFL season, some of the playoff picture has been locked up, while the rest is up in the air. So many scenarios land and number of teams in the playoffs. After this week though, all will be cleared up. Some teams will make it and others will be left home to watch the NFL playoff action. Here is a look at both conferences and their playoff pictures.

AFC PLAYOFFS

#1 seed: Tennessee Titans – clinched with win last week against Pittsburgh, first round bye and home-field throughout AFC playoffs

#2 seed: Pittsburgh Steelers – loss last week clinched them as the second seed, first round bye and home-field advantage in first playoff game

#3 seed: AFC East winner – The winner of the AFC East is guaranteed this spot. The Miami Dolphins can clinch with a win. If the Dolphins lose to the Jets, the Patriots can win and clinch the division title. If the Jets beat the Dolphins and the Patriots lose, the Jets are AFC East champions.

#4 seed: AFC West winner – Whoever wins the game between San Diego and Denver will be AFC West champion and meet Indianapolis. It was tight the first time around and an arrant fumble that was blown dead cost the Chargers. Now, they can have redemption at the expense of their division rival and get into the playoffs. We'll see what happens.

#5 seed: Indianapolis Colts – a win against the Jaguars last week clinched them as the fifth seed. They will meet the four seed.

#6 seed: TBD – Many things can happen. If the Baltimore Ravens defeat Jacksonville, the Ravens are the sixth seed. However, if the Ravens lose and the Patriots win, the Pats are in as #6.


NFC PLAYOFFS

#1 seed: New York Giants – The Giants win last week in overtime against the Panthers clinched them as the first seed. They have home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs and a first round bye.

#2 seed: Carolina Panthers (with win or Atlanta loss) or Atlanta Falcons (with win and Carolina loss) – winner gets first round bye and home-field for first playoff game.

#3 seed: Minnesota can clinch with a win versus the New York Giants or a Chicago Bears tie or loss to Houston. However, if Chicago wins and Minnesota loses, Chicago will win the division and take the third seed.

#4 seed: Arizona Cardinals – The Cards have clinched the AFC West and the fourth seed in the NFC playoffs. Now they will sit back and wait to see who they will be playing.

#5 seed: TBD – Atlanta has wrapped up a playoff berth this year, but it remains to be seen where they'll end up. They could conceivably still win the division and get the #2 seed with a Panthers loss and a win.

#6 seed: TBD – This seed will go to one of a few teams. If Dallas wins, the seed is theirs. A loss or tie would put them out though, if Tampa Bay can win against Oakland. Chicago gets in as the sixth seed if both Dallas and Tampa lose or tie their games.

FANS FORUM: PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS

The question this week is pretty simple. Here it is:

Who do you think will get in the playoffs as the 1 through 6 seeds in each conference?

Send me your answers in the comments section below or email them to [e-mail]. I will present the answers next week.

FANS FORUM: THE ANSWERS

Last week, I asked you who the biggest Pro Bowl snub was. Here is what you had to say…

Brad had this to say….

"Biggest snub would have to be Philip Rivers, no matter how much I think he is a whiny little tool he deserved it, ESPECIALLY over Brett Favre."

Rivers has had a great year. Overall though, people look at success of the team, which is a key factor. Favre has helped to change the Jets to a playoff contender, while the Chargers have had help in getting back into the playoff mix. I do agree that Rivers is deserving over Favre, especially after the last few Jet games.

Diavo had this to say…

"AFC: I guess you have to go with Phillip Rivers. Especially when you have Favre named to the team. Dallas Clark got screwed though. He had a much better season than Antonio Gates.

NFC: So many wide receivers could've made it. Greg Jennings and Calvin Johnson stand out over Roddy White but you can't really argue against the Cardinals duo. DeAngelo Williams is the biggest snub though. It's not surprising that he did not make it because he seemed to come out of nowhere the last month of the season. Being a Saints fan, I don't get Warner being the starter over Brees..."
Funny thing that the Chargers record hurt Rivers, but everyone knew who Antonio Gates was, so he got the nod over Dallas Clark. I'm not sure what was the bigger snub, Favre over Rivers or Gates over Clark. I do think that Roddy White was deserving of a Pro Bowl appearance. He has had a great year. Calvin playing for a crappy team hurt him too. Warner is the starter over Brees because his team actually made the playoffs. Simple as that. I can think of no other reason.

John from NC had this to say…

"I swear I knew I was right about the Panthers, I mean sure when you think Hustle, Loyalty and Respect, you think John Cena, but now you think Carolina, because their 11-3 record shows their hustle, they have the loyalty of the Panthers fans and after they devour the New York Football gimps, they'll have everybody's respect."

Well my friend, that has to be the corniest line ever here on the Three Point Stance. Your Panthers couldn't take care of the "New York Football gimps". They took care of your team. NEXT….

Porfirio Diaz had this to say…

"Great way to close out Texas Stadium in front of lifelong fans and historical players, Cowboys."

Not sure if you are being sarcastic, but anyways. It was disappointing to see the Cowboys lose in their final game. However, the historic players and tribute they gave certainly made up for it.

coby prei mesbeger had this to say…

"and now the cowboys have to hope both the falcons and bucs both lose once, and for the bucs theu finish with the chargers and the raiders and the falcons have the vikings and rams and the eagles, who everyone wrote off after the tie, if either the bucs or falcons lose and they win out, guess what they get the 6 seed.

the cowboys and romo are just chokers in dec, and can never finish and wade probably gone either after next week or after they lose in the playoffs, i mean how can u give up plays of 77 and 86 on back-to-back plays, and the 2nd was to a 250+ plus rb in leron mclain"

That first part was confusing. I explained the NFL playoff picture up top. Pretty much, Dallas wins and they are in. Simple as that. I think people tend to keep looking at the record in December and January thing and look at it too much. I do think that it isn't a "baseball stat" like Wade Phillips said, but people shouldn't put that much stock into things. A lot of those runs were the defensive coordinators fault. He screwed up the first time and put too many people in the box and then went right back and did the same thing. It was his fault and his head should be on a platter. He cost them that game, although Romo's first half performance didn't help.

JM had this to say…

"Brett Favre has no business being in the pro bowl. Their emerging running game and defense is the real story in New York. Sure the Chargers stink but River has done far more than Favre."

I agree completely. Most of the Jets win over the Titans was the running game and control of the clock. That's what the Titans had been doing to teams and they got schooled on that. Agreed.

Mario had this to say…

"I can see all why people are upset that Phillip Rivers didn't make it, but, Dallas Clark deserved a ticket to Hawaii this year. In the words of Neon Deion, he can catch, he can block and he runs great routes."

I agree. Pretty much commented on that above. NEXT…

Guest#4112 had this to say…

"philip rivers easily. Brett Favre making it over him is a joke. And now it's looking like San Diego might get into the post season and the Jets will be packing things up for the year in all likely hood. Remember a few weeks back when the Jets won at Tennessee and everyone was calling them the class of the AFC? Yeah..."

I love this comment. Comment of the Week for sure. I do remember when everyone was calling them the class of the AFC. Everyone was talking New York vs. New York in the Super Bowl. Then what happened? They lost to Denver, San Francisco, and Seattle and nearly lost to Buffalo. Look for them to cap it off with another loss this week to Miami.

Well, it looks like the consensus was either Philip Rivers or Dallas Clark. Simple enough I guess. I would have guessed maybe DeAngelo Williams, but I was wrong. Anyways, thanks for the feedback as always guys. Much appreciated!



For the second week in a row, a Texans player racked up Player of the Week honors. Andre Johnson won the award with his 207 yard receiving performance against the Tennessee Titans. Here are the winners so far this year…

WEEK 1: Michael Turner, RB, Atlanta Falcons –
(220 rushing yards, 2 touchdowns (franchise record in win over Lions))

WEEK 2: Tony Romo, QB, Dallas Cowboys –
(21-30, 312 yards, 3 touchdowns in win over Eagles)

WEEK 3: Ronnie Brown, RB, Miami Dolphins –
(113 rushing yards, 5 touchdowns (1 passing, 4 rushing) in win over Patriots)

WEEK 4: Brett Favre, QB, New York Jets –
(24-34 for 289 yards and 6 touchdowns in 56-35 win over Cardinals)

WEEK 5: Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers –
(26-41 for 309 yards and 3 touchdowns in win over Jaguars)

WEEK 6: Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints –
(26-30 for 320 yards and 3 TDs in 34-3 win over Oakland)

WEEK 7: Steven Jackson, RB, St. Louis Rams –
(25 rushes for 160 yards and 3 TDs in 34-14 win over Dallas)

WEEK 8: Brian Westbrook, RB, Philadelphia Eagles –
(22 carries, 167 yards, 2 TDs in 27-14 win over Atlanta)

WEEK 9: Peyton Manning, QB, Indianapolis Colts
(21-29 for 254 yards and 2 TDs in 18-15 win over New England)

WEEK 10: Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota Vikings
(30 carries for 192 yards and game-winning TD in 28-27 win over Green Bay)

WEEK 11: Kerry Collins, QB, Tennessee Titans
(13-23 for 230 yards and 3 TDs in 24-14 win over Jacksonville)

WEEK 12: Matt Cassel, QB, New England Patriots
(30-43 for 415 yards and 3 TDs in 48-28 win over Miami)

WEEK 13: Mark Clayton, WR, Baltimore Ravens
5 catches for 164 yards and a TD, 32-yard touchdown pass in 34-3 win over Cinncinati

WEEK 14: Matt Schaub, QB, Houston Texans
28-42 for 414 yards and 2 TDs in 24-21 win over Green Bay

WEEK 15: Andre Johnson, WR, Houston Texans
11 catches for 207 yards and a TD in 13-12 win over Tennessee

Here are the players who are nominees for the week's hardware…

The Candidates:
Peyton Manning, QB, Indianapolis Colts
29-34 for 364 yards and 3 TDs in 31-24 win over Jacksonville

Derrick Ward, RB, New York Giants
15 carries for 215 yards in 34-28 overtime win over Carolina

Visanthe Shiancoe, WR, Minnesota Vikings
7 catches for 136 yards and 2 TDs in 24-17 loss to Atlanta

Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints
30-40 for 351 yards and 2 TDs in 42-7 win over Detroit

Matt Cassel, QB, New England Patriots
20-36 for 345 yards and 3 TDS in 47-7 win over Arizona

And the winner is…..










DERRICK WARD, RB, NEW YORK GIANTS



Ward was an absolute beast in the final stretch, just when the Giants needed him. Without him, the "G-Men" would have probably lost the game and continued their fall heading into the final week and playoffs. Not a good thing. Ward had a 51-yard run that helped to set up the game winning score. Truly, his performance was greatly valued, especially for a guy that has been told he could never start. Congrats Derrick!



Dallas rookie Tashard Choice picked up his first Rookie of the Week honor in his career for his stout performance against the New York. Here are this year's winners so far…

WEEK 1: Matt Forte, RB, Chicago Bears –
(123 rushing yards and a TD in 29-13 win over Colts)

WEEK 2: Jonathan Stewart, RB, Carolina Panthers –
(14 rushes, 77 yards, and 2 TDs in 20-17 win over Chicago)

WEEK 3: Steve Slaton, RB, Houston Texans –
(18 rushes, 116 yards, TD in loss against Titans)

WEEK 4: Chris Johnson, RB, Tennessee Titans –
(17 rushes, 61 yards, 2 TDs in win against Minnesota)

WEEK 5: Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons
(16-26 for 194 yards, 2 TDs in win against Green Bay)

WEEK 6: Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons
(22-30 for 301 yards and a TD in 22-20 win over Chicago)

WEEK 7: Chris Johnson, RB, Tennessee Titans
(18 rushes for 168 yards and a TD in 34-10 win over Kansas City)

WEEK 8: Donnie Avery, WR, St. Louis Rams
(6 catches, 163 yards, TD in 23-16 loss to New England)

WEEK 9: Chris Johnson, RB, Tennessee Titans
(24 rushes, 89 yards, 6 catches for 72 yards in 19-16 win over Green Bay)

WEEK 10: Eddie Royal, WR, Denver Broncos
(6 catches for 164 yards and a TD in 34-30 win over Cleveland)

WEEK 11: Peyton Hillis, RB, Denver Broncos
(10 carries for 44 yards and 2 TDs, 3 catches for 26 yards in 24-20 win over Atlanta)

WEEK 12: Matt Forte, RB, Chicago Bears
(21 rushes for 139 yards and 2 TDs in 27-3 win over St. Louis)

WEEK 13: Joe Flacco, QB, Baltimore Ravens
19-29 for 280 yards and 2 TDs in 34-3 win over Cinncinati

WEEK 14: Jonathan Stewart, RB, Carolina Panthers
15 carries for 115 yards and 2 TDs in 38-23 win over Tampa Bay

WEEK 15: Tashard Choice, RB, Dallas Cowboys
9 carries for 91 yards (TD), 4 rec. for 52 yards in 20-8 win over New York


Here are this week's nominees….

The Candidates:

Joe Flacco, QB, Baltimore Ravens
17-25 for 149 yards and 1 TD in 33-24 win over Dallas

Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons
13-24 for 134 yards and 1 TD in 24-17 win over Minnesota

Kevin Smith, RB, Detroit Lions
24 rushes for 111 yards and 1 TD in 42-7 loss to New Orleans

Jason Jones, DE, Tennessee Titans
3.5 sacks, 5 tackles, 3 forced fumbles in 31-14 win over Pittsburgh

Matt Forte, RB, Chicago Bear
23 carries for 73 yards (TD), 2 receptions for 23 yards in 20-17 win over Green Bay

And the winner is….










JASON JONES, DE, TENNESSEE TITANS



Jones had a big breakout game against one of the NFL's best teams. In place of Kyle Vanden Bosch, Jones scored 3.5 sacks on Ben Roethlisberger, had 5 tackles total and forced three separate fumbles to help the Titans lock up home-field advantage for the AFC Playoffs. Not bad for a days work. Certainly, he helped to heal and guide a defense that was missing two of its biggest pieces. Congrats Jason!


TPS PLENTY O' PREDICTIONS

Last week, I correctly guessed 3 of 4 games and missed the Dallas-Baltimore game. That puts me at 52-29 (.642) on the year. Here are this week's predictions in the NFL's final regular season week…



I'll take Indianapolis to beat the Titans at home. Tennessee will be resting most of the starters and it has been reported that Vince Young will play as well. Colts pick up another win, as they continue their roll.

The Dolphins will give the Jets yet another loss in the last five weeks. The win completes the comeback and shuts out the Jets and Patriots from playoff contention. Miami heads to Baltimore for the first round.

Baltimore will take care of the Jaguars and seal the sixth seed in the playoffs. Look for the Ravens run game to have another big game.

I have the Saints upsetting the Panthers at home. Teams in the NFC South are near perfect at home against each other and I look for that trend to continue this week.

Finally, I've got Dallas upending Philadelphia to clinch a spot in the playoffs. Doesn't mean they'll win there (probably not), but they'll at least get in.


Well folks, that does it for me this week. I'll be back next week to take a look at the Wild Card playoffs and who got in and see who was left out. Be sure to comment on the Fans Forum topic this week in the comment section below. I'll see you all next week!



Until then…



Cody Dalton's book on sale now! "Sideline Warriors: The Greatest Sports Coaches and Managers of All Time" – http://www.lulu.com/content/2003212