Years ago, the dreamers were Giants fans. Giants this year, even though they went into a swoon mid-season, have things a lot easier. Win and get in. Then, they have a decent shot at winning a playoff game, the 49ers, Saints and GB (perhaps in reverse order) being favored from the second game on, but who knows -- the Giants played GB tough last time and remember what happened when something like that occurred before. It would be easier if they won another game earlier, but given what they were expected to do even before the injuries (over the Eagles, deemed credible Super Bowl hopefuls), the season as a whole was decent.This is my quest
To follow that star
No matter how hopeless
No matter how far
This time, the Jets are the dreamers, and the best that can be said is that there are less steps than last time. The Jets even have a bit of margin for error. I was told that it is something of a fools' errand to push for underachievers to go too far, since they are after all not very good. Yes, and the Jets -- who unlike the Giants didn't have a truly impressive game against tough competition other than perhaps the Dallas game -- weren't very good this year. But, they still are the local team, and the alternatives for the last slot aren't exactly much better in any real sense. Oh well.
[1] Jets beat Miami. Miami, who barely lost to Dallas on Thanksgiving, started the season horrible, but has played fairly well of late. They are in fact favored to win the game here. I think the Jets should win the game, particularly since they are playing for their pride as much as anything. But, as with all of these games, it can go either way.
[2] Bengals lose to the Ravens. More than one team is hoping for this, since a win will seal up the final wild card spot for the Bengals. Wild card positioning is also important in the NFC, since it will determine who plays New Orleans at home (unless the 49ers lose to the Rams, New Orleans won't have bye because, rofl, they lost to the Rams and Tampa) . Ravens should win here. They are the better team, the Bengals have not played tough AFC competition well and the Ravens are playing for a bye.
[3] Titans lose to the Texans. First, Titans also needs a lot of help and ironically it would be helpful for them if the Jets win. Second, this is a harder game for the Jets, since the Texans no longer can advance in the standings and have less to play for. The Texans are coming back to earth and the Titans have a lot more to play for. OTOH, the Texans might want to get back to winning to be in the right frame of mind. Finally, of course, it would have been helpful if the Titans lost to the Jaguars last week. It would be helpful to the Colts draft pick for the Jaguars to win.
[4] Oakland (San Diego) or Denver (KC) lose. If the Jets win, this along with the first two is what the Titans need with a win; if the Jets lose, the Titans need both these two to lose. Good luck Jets fans! You only need one of these teams to lose. The Chargers had a disappointing season but have the talent (and perhaps sense of pride) to win. KC wants to end on a good note (though beating GB was their Super Bowl of sorts), their new coach perhaps playing for a long time contract and their QB wanting to show Denver what they gave up. I can see one of these teams losing.
If, as is after all likely, the Jets don't make it, I can see it because #3 not happening. The Jets got in 9-7 with a lot of help in '09. It actually won the division because of tiebreakers in '02 with that record. (A three way tie with Buffalo being 8-8 ... talk about parity.) It went to the third round for the second time in a row in '10. They are allowed a pass, even though it was a disappointing season. Good luck. Keep dreaming.