Dec 2nd 2008 2:30PM by JJ Cooper (author feed)
Filed under: Bears, Buccaneers, Cowboys, Dolphins, Falcons, Jets, Giants, Packers, Panthers, Patriots, Ravens, Redskins, Steelers, Titans, Vikings

Four weeks to go in the season, and we’re starting to see some parts of the playoff race clear up, while some division races are actually muddier than they were last week.

Unless some absolutely unexpected upsets happen, there are five teams that are already in. The Titans (11-1), Colts (8-4), Broncos (7-5), Giants (11-1) and Cardinals (7-5) would all have to fall apart to miss the playoffs. The Steelers’ (9-3) big win over the Patriots also puts them in very good shape, but their remaining schedule (Cowboys, Ravens, Titans and Browns) means it’s not possible to pencil them in yet.

But thanks to the Jets’ loss to the Broncos, and the Falcons’, Panthers’ and Bucs’ wins, the AFC East and NFC South races are tighter than ever. And while the general consensus for months has been that the NFC East could put three teams into the playoffs, it now looks like the NFC South is a better bet to snag both wild card spots.Continue Reading