This just in: The Raiders and Lions aren’t going to make the playoffs.
You might be surprised to hear just how many teams still are in the hunt, though. That would be 25, an amazing number with only three weeks remaining in the season.
In the AFC wild-card race, two teams (Cincinnati and Jacksonville) are 8-5 and three others are 7-6. Now for the fine print on the Bengals: They play at Indianapolis on Monday night and next week at Denver.
But then, playing at Indy isn’t quite the daunting task it was, say, a month ago. The Colts, after winning their first nine, have lost three out of four to lose the inside track on home-field advantage in the playoffs.
And who has that advantage? The Chargers, who could all but end the Chiefs’ playoff hopes with a win at San Diego. Then again, the Jaguars could fall back to the pack this afternoon. They’re playing the suddenly unbeatable Titans in Nashville.
Which brings us to the question of the day: Given his meteoric rise of late, why hasn’t anybody written a country music song yet about Tennessee quarterback Vince Young?
Read Jim Armstrong s Opening Shots on Sundays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays in The Denver Post sports section and on Mondays in NFL Monday. His previous columns are available online at www.denverpost.com
Couch potato heaven
Philadelphia at N.Y. Giants
2:15 p.m., Giants by 5 1/2
Last meeting: Giants won 30-24 (OT) at Philadelphia on Sept. 17.
Two 7-6 clubs in Couch Potato Heaven? Yep. These are two old-time NFC East rivals fighting it out to stay alive in playoff race. Oh, and have you forgotten the first meeting, when G-Men were toast, only to stage furious rally and win in OT? … The best backup QB in the business? It has to be Jeff Garcia, who has thrown 7 TD passes, zero INTs since taking over for injured Donovan McNabb. … Tiki Barber last week became 20th RB in Not For Long history to reach 10,000 mark in run yardage.
Prediction: Giants 31, Eagles 20
Kansas City at San Diego
6:15 p.m., Chargers by 8 1/2
Last meeting: Chiefs won 30-27 at Kansas City on Oct. 22.
Chargers are 11-2 and both L’s have been on road by a FG, including game at K.C. … This just in: LaDainian Tomlinson wasn’t a wasted draft choice. L.T. at 29 rushing TDs and counting. … Bolts second in league with plus-11 turnover ranking. … Chiefs TB Larry Johnson within striking distance of league-record 410 carries. He’s on pace for 409. … Chiefs have won three of past four at San Diego in December.
Prediction: Chargers 33, Chiefs 27
Worth the electricity
N.Y. Jets at Minnesota
11 a.m., Vikings by 3
Last meeting: Jets won 20-7 at the Meadowlands on Oct. 20, 2002.
Jets with a dubya would double ’05 W total. Of course they said that last week and proceeded to get punked by Bills. … Memo to Minnie WRs: Can anybody here make a play? QB Brad Johnson has thrown 421 passes for only eight TDs. … Vikings numero uno in NFL in run D. … Brother, can you spare an explanation? Jets 25th in offense, 27th in D, but have a winning record.
Prediction: Jets 16, Vikings 15
Jacksonville at Tennessee
11 a.m., Jaguars by 3 1/2
Last meeting: Jaguars won 37-7 at Jacksonville on Nov. 5.
Vin-sanity, catch it! Young Mr. Young has led Tin Men to W’s in six of past eight, including four straight. … Jags coming off routine 27-point W vs. Colts. Could letdown be looming? … He won’t win offensive rookie of year, but Jags’ Maurice Jones-Drew isn’t just another pretty face with a hyphen. Dude is fifth in the Not For Long with 12 TDs. … Titans have won three games in which they trailed by 11-plus points.
Prediction: Jaguars 24, Titans 20
Pittsburgh at Carolina
11:00 a.m., off the board
Last meeting: Steelers won last regular-season meeting 30-14 on Dec. 15, 2002.
Steelers have playoff pulse, but it’s nothing a few Big Ben INTs can’t take care of. … Steelers minus-8 in turnovers, thanks largely to Big Bust’s errant ways. Panthers not much better at minus-7. … Pitt TB Willie Parker coming off franchise-record 223 yards vs. Browns. … Panthers’ Steve Smith over, 1,000 receiving yards despite early-season hamstring problems. … This just in. Steelers LB Joey Porter doesn’t like Browns TE Kellen Winslow Jr.
Prediction: Steelers 30, Panthers 26
Beats washing the car
Cleveland at Baltimore
11 a.m., Ravens by 11 1/2
Last meeting: Ravens won 15-14 at Cleveland on Sept. 24.
Brownies expect to go with QB Derek Anderson in this one. He was Ravens’ sixth-rounder in ’05. … If Cleveland TB Reuben Droughns doesn’t pick it up, they’ll be measuring his output in inches. He’s at 3.2 yards per carry and counting backward. … Ravens lead league with plus-16 turnover ranking. Browns at other end of spectrum at minus-12. … Baltimore leading league in D.
Prediction: Ravens 23, Browns 3
Miami at Buffalo
11 a.m., Bills by 1
Last meeting: Bills won 16-6 at Miami on Sept. 17.
Is it just us? What’s a Snow Belt team doing in same division as beach boys from Miami? … Bills WR Lee Evans one of league’s more underrated players. He had three-TD game vs. Dolphins last season. … Not exactly a dream matchup for Bills. They’re 30th in offense, Dolphins second in D. … Phish coming off shutout dubya vs. Pats. … Did you know? Bills DE Aaron Schobel tied for league lead with 12.5 sacks.
Prediction: Dolphins 20, Bills 15
Houston at New England
11 a.m., Patriots by 11 1/2
Last meeting: Patriots won 23-20 (OT) at Houston on Nov. 23, 2003.
Tom Brady hoping to throw for 80 yards in this one, which is more than he can say about last week’s disaster at Miami. … Power of pillow mints: Texans have won two of past three on road. … Hey, at least they’re consistent. Tex’ns 28th in offense, 28th in D. … Pats one of four teams (Jax, Balt, Chicago) to have allowed fewer than 200 points.
Prediction: Patriots 31, Texans 13
Washington at New Orleans
11 a.m., Saints by 10
Last meeting: Saints won 24-20 at Washington on Nov. 30, 2003.
Last time Saints were favored by 10, Watergate was a hotel instead of a scandal. … Reggie Bush needs to average seven catches in last three to reach 100. … N’Awlins QB Drew Brees leads league in TD passes (25), yards (4,033) and passer rating (101.2). … Must be nice. ‘Skins coach Joe Gibbs says he’ll be back next season, 4-9 record and all. … If Saints TB is a Deuce, then ‘Skins offense is a bunch of Jokers. They’re 24th in passing game.
Prediction: Saints 37, Redskins 27
Get a life, Bubba
Tampa Bay at Chicago
11 a.m., Bears by 13 1/2
Last meeting: Bears won 13-10 at Tampa on Nov. 27, 2005.
You can exhale now, Rex Grossman. You’ve still got the gig. … Bears coach Lovie Smith coached Tampa LBs from 1996-2000. … Bucs minus-12 in turnovers, Bears plus-11. Not only that, Bucs get penalty points for those ugly pewter unis. … Bears coming off flawless – 40-plus points, 0 sacks, 0 turnovers – performance vs. Rams. … Bears rookie DE Mark Anderson has 10 sacks.
Prediction: Bears 24, Bucs 16
Detroit at Green Bay
11 a.m., Packers by 5
Last meeting: Packers won 31-24 at Detroit on Sept. 24.
Not that Lions GM Matt Millen is in trouble, but owner William Clay Ford made him walk to Green Bay. … Brett Favre 14-0 at home vs. Putty Tats, with 24 TD tosses, eight INTs. … Packers wideout Donald is best Driver that doesn’t live in Tiger’s bag. Dude has 73 catches, 1,103 yards, seven TDs. … Lions last in league in rushing offense.
Prediction: Packers 33, Lions 16
St. Louis at Oakland
2:15 p.m., Raiders by 2 1/2
Last meeting: Rams won 28-13 at St. Louis on Oct. 13, 2002.
Raiders have scored 156 points, seven fewer than division-leading Chargers have in the fourth quarter. … Do not attempt this at home. Rams 5-8 despite plus-7 turnover ranking. … Did you know? Rams TB Steven Jackson leads NFC in catches with 82. … If Raiders had a running game, they’d be dangerous in this one. Rams 31st in league vs. run.
Prediction: Raiders 12, Rams 10
